Are there an rims that are lighter than Mavic Open Pro?

shaw8670
shaw8670 Posts: 264
edited August 2009 in Road buying advice
Without getting very expensive, are there any rims that are better than Open Pros? Handbuilt seems to me the best way to get lightweight, repairable wheels? Any thoughts? I fancy Campag record and Open Pros, but would like any better suggestions.
Greetings from the wet and windy North west

Comments

  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    mavic reflex or pretty much most any other tubular rim.
  • jermas
    jermas Posts: 484
    Ambrosio Excellight rims (430grams). Have had good experience with these, light-durable-strong(if built well).
  • edeverett
    edeverett Posts: 224
    I think DT Swiss RR 1.1s are lighter, but I find them a bit more flexible. Probably fine for lighter riders but I prefer my Open Pros.
  • shaw8670
    shaw8670 Posts: 264
    looks like there isn't really anything much to beat Open Pros then!
    Greetings from the wet and windy North west
  • synchronicity
    synchronicity Posts: 1,415
    People on weightweenies are always mentioning Kinlin rims.
    vertebr.ae | precision braking & shifting
  • System_1
    System_1 Posts: 513
    edited August 2009
    Yep, IRD (aka Kinlin or Niobium) rims are about the lightest non tub alloy rims at decent money. 390gm for the Cadence and 395gm for the matching rear specific VSR. I've seen the Americans raving about them for years now. Good tough rim from what I've heard. A few manufacturers use rebranded versions, American Classic being one. You can get them in the UK now from wheelsmith for £38 each or have him build the wheels on record hubs for about £350. I've heard good things about his wheelbuilding ability.
  • bill57
    bill57 Posts: 454
    I am constantly amazed by quotes like this -- "you could get some adequate wheels for £350 " -- that's in Beginners just now. I just got my wheels back from my builder today re-rimmed with Open Pros, 23 quid per rim, OK they were old stock and I'll have spokes and build to pay for. The truth is you can get a superb set of wheels for under £300, built with either Open Pros or many other quality rims.
    Read August's C+ to see a fine example of how much drivel is written about wheels.
  • System_1
    System_1 Posts: 513
    bill57 wrote:
    I am constantly amazed by quotes like this -- "you could get some adequate wheels for £350 " -- that's in Beginners just now. I just got my wheels back from my builder today re-rimmed with Open Pros, 23 quid per rim, OK they were old stock and I'll have spokes and build to pay for. The truth is you can get a superb set of wheels for under £300, built with either Open Pros or many other quality rims.
    Read August's C+ to see a fine example of how much drivel is written about wheels.

    Of course you can, I don't think anyone would dispute that fact. I don't remember a budget being mentioned at all so far though. :?

    Anyway, there's nothing wrong with spending money if you have it, and spending it on light rims is probably the best place to invest it if you're looking for performance gains. The IRD are only a couple of quid more expensive than Open Pros anyway, and lighter, which is exactly what the OP asked for. I'm sure he could build them up for way less than £300 if he so desires, though highly unlikely on Record hubs. Record hubs would be niiiiiiiice though.
  • tenor
    tenor Posts: 278
    The secret with Handbuilts is the builder rather than the bits. Talk to Harry Rowlands, Paul Hewitt or Pete Matthews about your requirements and they will advise on a set that is tailor made for your weight and riding style.
    I currently have a set of both Open Pros and Ambrosio Excellence with Record hubs. Both are tough and ride really well with double butted spokes (32h for my 85kilos).
    Rebadged Ambrosios are favourites for the Paris Roubaix - the charateristic gold surround to the valve being the giveaway.
    Open Pros and Ambrosio Excellights are probably the lightest reliable rims for general use, though.
    Make sure you keep the brakeblocks clean for long rim life.
    Record hubs are top quality, although the latest black incarnation foregoes the oiling point of the earlier silver version - not progress!
  • Mozza1
    Mozza1 Posts: 128
    I looked into this myself a while back. Spoke to someone at Paul Hewitt's who said that Paul wouldn't use rims that weren't double eyeleted as single eyelet rims were prone to cracking due to the spokes pulling through.....So that seemed to rule out DT 1.1 rims, IRD, Velocity etc & leads back to.......... Open Pro's! It's probably the most suitable rim out there for weight/durability although it's about time Mavic updated it.

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