Velocity A23 Rims

bjl
bjl Posts: 353
edited November 2012 in Road buying advice
Is anyone riding with these rims yet - the wider rim is supposed to make for a better handling ride - not sure if a couple of mm would make a big difference but if they work i am up for giving them a go. cheers.

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Haven't built any myself but a couple of buddies ride A23s or Hed Ardennes and both feel that the wider rim is more suited to wider tyres.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    Is there an optimum width tyre for these? I love my Velocity aeroheads, but was thinking of the A23's for a new bike build, but then I'm running 28mm tyres on the aeroheads without issue, so may just stick with them.
  • Crashs2k
    Crashs2k Posts: 78
    Yes have been riding on these for a few months - can run lower pressures (95 / 100) and 95kg so no lightweight, ride is smoother and more 'stable' (which you my or may not prefer). Jonathan at strada does recommend a wider tyre Vitoria 24c but I've found 23c Michelin pro4s to be a great combination.

    On my stable comment steering takes slightly more effort to tip the bike over. Most noticeably more pressure when honking on the bars climbing out of the saddle. Takes a little getting used to but personally I prefer it as i fimd it less nervous

    Can't comment on what it's like taking a chicane at speed where you may want to get the bike over from one side to the other. That's only downside I can think of -go for it give them a go!
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    I'm running them with Open Paves, chuffed to fook, they're ace! Really smooth ride.
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • Slack
    Slack Posts: 326
    I have some HED variants with 23 tyres.

    They glide nicely and cornering confidence at speed has risen, ecspecially on the downhills. They seem to work as advertised for me. I Haven't had the opportunity to try many different wheels yet, so can't comment as to whether they are the dogs proverbials. I sometimes hanker for a bit more harshness/road feedback with these, just so that I can feel I've got a bike underneath me.
    Plymouthsteve for councillor!!
  • bjl
    bjl Posts: 353
    Hi Nap D, what width are the open paves when fitted to these rims as opposed to a conventional rim, I'll be using Open Corsa CX320 which I think is a similar size tyre.
  • bjl
    bjl Posts: 353
    Hey Nap D , also - how many spokes you using, cheers.
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    28 spokes. The paves are a 24mm tyre , they stay the same width so to speak but the walls are more straight if that makes sense? They are ace!
    Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
    ABCC Cycling Coach
  • Evil Laugh
    Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
    I've been using these rims for a while now and they do feel nice in corners. I cant say they are any better than 21mm shimano c24s in that respect and I prefer the ride on those wheels overall. The braking surface isn't as good as the shimano. Nice rims for the money though.
  • jonomc4
    jonomc4 Posts: 891
    Sorry for bringing this back to life - but I was trying to compare these rims to the H Plus Son Archetype rims - anyone have any views
  • jonomc4 wrote:
    Sorry for bringing this back to life - but I was trying to compare these rims to the H Plus Son Archetype rims - anyone have any views

    Very similar thing... the Archetype have a higher profile and a rounder V shape. The Archetype, unless you go for the polished option are hard anodised on the brake track too, but the all black/all grey effect will not last very long, as all anodised rims are due to wear out upon braking, revealing the silver alloy.
    The A 23 has been around for a while and proved itself very reliable, while the Archetype is a newer product, so nobody can really tell how they will behave in the long run.
    Weight is pretty much the same, maybe a few grams in favour of the A 23.
    The Archetype look infinitely better, as the Velocity sticker is frankly hideous
    left the forum March 2023
  • jonomc4
    jonomc4 Posts: 891
    Thanks for your response!

    Can I ask another question - as I never seem to have a lot of cash at any one time currently (thanks taxman). I am going to try building up some wheels - buying a bit each month or so.

    I was thinking of going for the H Plus Son - I have also come accross some ceramic hubs going cheap (they are the same as the strada branded ones - so will do for now and I can change them later if my fortunes improve) I was also going to put Sapim CX Ray Bladed spokes.

    I am 76 to 77 kg and want these as good quality training wheels - I was thinking of going for 20 - 24 spokes - is this going to be OK with my weight and the wheel build?

    Also Ugo - I understand you build wheels for people - how much would it cost ?
  • jonomc4 wrote:
    Thanks for your response!

    Can I ask another question - as I never seem to have a lot of cash at any one time currently (thanks taxman). I am going to try building up some wheels - buying a bit each month or so.

    I was thinking of going for the H Plus Son - I have also come accross some ceramic hubs going cheap (they are the same as the strada branded ones - so will do for now and I can change them later if my fortunes improve) I was also going to put Sapim CX Ray Bladed spokes.

    I am 76 to 77 kg and want these as good quality training wheels - I was thinking of going for 20 - 24 spokes - is this going to be OK with my weight and the wheel build?

    Also Ugo - I understand you build wheels for people - how much would it cost ?

    How much would cost what?
    The hubs you mention, which you have probably seen on Ebay, are Bitex... I have used them for a while, with more problems than fortune, hence I have decided not to work with them any longer. Novatec are similarly priced and a world more reliable.
    CX ray are incredibly expensive spokes and more fashion than anything... if you really think bladed spokes will give you the competitive advantage, then you can look at the Pillar RSX or whatever the name is... which are equally good and half a gram heavier... price is roughly half for those.
    Personally I would go for a 24/28 combo (which screws your plan to use cheap hubs off Ebay I suppose) and at your weight I would use more substantial spokes at the rear... DT competition or Sapim race, for instance.
    left the forum March 2023
  • Derek from wheelsmith dropped into the forum the other week. Have a read of what he has to say about the Archetype rims

    viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12887810
  • jonomc4
    jonomc4 Posts: 891
    OK - I am probably a little more confused now :)

    OK I can still get the hubs but in a 24/28 setup for a little more - Derek from Wheelsmiths rated them as OK - I will buy them but not expect them to last a lifetime - the cost is not so great that if I can get 3 years out of them I would be happy and they do comewith ceramics bearings anyway (not that I will notice the difference probably :) ).

    I will still go for the CXRay spokes as I believe they give better ride quality and after all if I brake one I can replace it easily (that's the point of hand builds after all)!

    As for the rim - I agree that I am taking a bit of a step into the dark with H Son Plus - I will weigh up this decision but I have heard good things about them - I am not fussed re wear on the paint job.

    I reckon I can get the bits with some savy shopping and patience for about £330 - then there is the build costs to factor in.

    By buying my bike bit by bit and then building it myself - I was able to save about £1,400 on the off the shelf price - not that I could get the options I went for anyway :) but I definitely want to have these built for me!!!!

    I wonder if I went for the safe option of the Velocity rims if there are some decent (non branded) decals I could use - just to make them a it more pretty :)
  • jonomc4 wrote:

    OK I can still get the hubs but in a 24/28 setup for a little more - Derek from Wheelsmiths rated them as OK - I will buy them but not expect them to last a lifetime - the cost is not so great that if I can get 3 years out of them I would be happy and they do comewith ceramics bearings anyway (not that I will notice the difference probably :) ).

    Read carefully.. Derek rated the freehub OK, and I agree.. the problem is the front hub shell is very fragile and gets easily deformed, resulting in knocking of the wheel. Derek said his shells are not Bitex, but they are machined elsewhere, then he uses the Bitex free hub.
    The problem is not the hubs not lasting 10 years, is the hubs not lasting one week... As for the ceramic bearings, they are worse than the steel ones, don't be fooled. Anything you buy on Ebay from China has a warranty made of rice paper...
    left the forum March 2023