Velocity or Ambrosio rims?

APIII

Hi all,
I'm looking to get a new set of hoops. I've got an old pair of Ksyriums, and a pair of deep sections. I'd like a nice pair of 'climbing' wheels for my best bike that I can use for Sportives, holidays in the Alps, etc. I'm about 11 1/2 stone and I don't tend to break things much.
My LBS stocks Velocity rims, which do look very nice, and I have heard some good things about. If I go with them, I will have to source my own hubs, as they don't carry much of a range. The alternative is to buy from someone like Paul Hewitt, who stock the Ambrosio Excellight and a good range of hubs.
As I have no experience of either make, I'd be interested to hear of people's experiences.
Also, what spoke pattern would you suggest?

Thanks

Monty Dog

Velocity make nice rims - sometimes hard to get hold off in the UK - the Aero is a nice deep section popular with the fixed gear fraternity, but can be quite heavy at 500g each making sub-1500g wheels a challenge to build. Alternatively, the Aerohead is quite nice - I built a pair with 24 spokes front and rear with bladed spokes on Am Classic hubs - light and then spun-up noticeably quicker than Ksyriums for example, so might make a good choice for a climbing wheel. The Ambrosios are similar to Open Pros but a touch heavier - used a lot by pro teams. It really comes down to the abilities of the builder to construct a strong wheel - so hub and spoke choice important too.

pcd993

I have a pair of ambrosio excellights, they are about the same weight as my set of open pros, but feel noticeably stiffer - to the extent that I have put them on my titanium frame rather than my carbon frame. I would not say they were dramatically better or worse than the open pros. I have no experience of the velocity rims.

acorn_user

If weight is your primary concern, you could pick Ambrosio Crono F20 tubular rims. They weigh circa 360 grams each. The nearest Velocity equivalent is the tub version of the Aerohead (name forgotten). Both have a good reputation. I would probably go with the LBS if you trust their wheelbuilding, because getting repairs will be easier. What hubs will you be using?

APIII

I did briefly consider the F20s, but decided to go with clinchers as I thought they would be more practical (for me) on sportives.
I was considering either Tune or DT Swiss 240s. I've no experience of the Tune hubs, but I had a set of the DT Swiss Hugi hubs on my mtb, which performed very well. My LBS favours the DT Swiss, but Tune seem to have a very good rep on weightweenies, etc.

andyp

I've a pair of Tune hubs about to start their third year of service and they are still running smoothly. I'd definitely recommend them.

That said, I hear the DT Swiss hubs are good too.

SDP

if mainly dry riding ..ie best wheels ..tune
if allround & wet riding ..DT

i have a pair of tune & they are superb...

if they had been my everyday wheel set i would have taken DT240 ( or if i won lottery 190s )

or even std DA 7850s ??

i got my best wheels built on OP( ceramics ) ..

however got a pair of velocity on wifes TCR & the seem a good honest rim..aero ones are a bit heavy ..

canamdad

I have Aerohead on the front and Excellite on the back. Didn't start that way- had Aeroheads on both but a poor build on the back and a dent in the rim finally did the rear one in. The dent was high up on the rim so I actually used it for a couple of years. However, it required frequent truing and finally, the rim started to crack around the spoke nipples- no eyelets on Aerohead. The build is critical no matter what you rim you use. Probably better to go with nickel nipples with Aerohead so you don't get reaction between alloy nipples and alloy rim. The Aeroheads are very popular in the US where I got these wheels originally probably because they're reasonably priced in $. Hewitt rebuilt the rear with Excellite and did his usually nice job. These wheels are 32H so beefy but great for everyday use. As long as you get a good builder to put them together, seems like either would do the job.

acorn_user

Have you considered Hope Pro3, Royce or Goldtec hubs? Those all cost around the same as the other hubs you mention. White Industries and Chris King have a steller reputation in the US for light hubs too. The most popular rims for light handbuilts are probably Kinlin Niobiums (Halo Mercury is the same I think).

scherrit

Either really.... horses for courses. The aero velocity rim is called their "deep V" and you can build very strong wheels with it, but damn heavy as above. I like the aerohead and aerohead OC (rear) -good for most riders, or the excellight for lighter riders. I personally find the Excellence better for heavier riders, than OP's but it's probably marginal.....
Good luck,
S.

Monowai

i have pair of Excellights on Tune hubs on order from Paul Hewitt. Will report back when i get them...just waiting for the red Tune hubs to arrive in stock

LangerDan

I have a set of factory built Excellight SSC wheels, which is the Excellight rim on Ambrosios own hub. The wheels are not particularly light, but much of that is down to the fact that the Ambrosio straight-pull hubs are heavy. Smooth, but heavy. Ambrosio also do a lighter flanged hub - I believe that Harry Rowland (sp.?) rates these hubs highly. However neither is likely to built into a light wheelset.

The F20s mentioned above make for a very light set but not only are they tubs, they are not particulalry robust - more of a hillclimb / hilly race special.

The omly thing to keep an eye on is the continued supply of Ambrosio rims - availability is not great. If you are looking for rims like the F20, you usually have to go to Germany or Italy, and as for the Nemesis ( the preferred tub rim for Paris Roubaix) if you find a stack of them, buy them! You can flog them to the pros next year.

tenor

Ambrosio seem to be the pro choice for the cobbled Classics, but Open Pro may be marginally better for the climbs as they are a little lighter. Build with Sapim Laser spokes for lightness. Hubs have less influence on the climbing performance as the weight is close to the axis of rotation (obviously). Record and Dura Ace are good value when compared wuth Tune, etc. Alloy nipples will also reduce weight but may not be as durable. Best idea is to speak with a top wheel builder such as Paul Hewitt or Harry Rowlands

APIII

Thanks for all the replies. I'll speak to both my LBS and Paul Hewitt and see what they recommend.
Interestingly, Paul Hewitt list the F20 and Nemesis rims on the C+ ad they ran a month or two ago.