"Vintage" wheel build project

term1te

I’ve got a late 80s Colnago Master which has a lovely smooth wheel set based on Record hubs and Nisi rims laced 36 spokes 4 cross. However, the braking on these wheels is not good. Vintage brake pads are scary whilst modern pads are just about OK. I’ve probably gone soft having used “modern” brakes and rims on my other bikes, but I don’t know how I flew down hills with similar setups back in the day.

So I was thinking that for my annual wheel build project, this year I’d have a go at building some wheels for the Master.

I’d want wheels that had a better braking track, maybe a little lighter, but which were a homage to the wheels of the late 80s and worked with a 7 speed Campagnolo setup. Can anyone recommend some rims and hubs that might fit the bill?

thiscocks

Personally I'd go for Ambrosio Excellence rims, or Some Campag rims like Omegas (but these will be older). Build on the orig hubs if you can or if not then plenty of old campag hubs on ebay although the NOS stuff can be pricey!

kingstonian

Don't blame you, I refurbished a 1978 Motobecane and almost shit myself on the first serious descent I did.

ugo.santalucia

Modern rims are likely to be heavier.

Try your front wheel on another bike and assess if the problem is the rim or the brake caliper... you might be wasting your time.
You are a tubular rider, no? Ambrosio Nemesis, is almost a no brainer, best rim out there, looks great on a 1980s bike, braking is fabulous

Monty Dog

Brakes are one of the biggest improvements in the last 30 years - pad material were a lot harder and the mechanical advantage significantly less. If a new build, then look at Velo Orange for rims and hubs, otherwise some C-Record hubs and choice of rims.

mattsccm

You are taking into account the fact that normal caliper brakes are not much cop compared with dual pivots?
Modern pads will be more worthwhile than rims. Next change the brakes.

rolf_f

mattsccm wrote:

You are taking into account the fact that normal caliper brakes are not much cop compared with dual pivots?

This isn't really so. Single pivot give better modulation at the expense of power - so you do have to work your fingers a little harder to achieve the same deceleration but I wouldn't call them 'not much cop'. If you have alloy rims, caliper arms that don't bend and good pads then you should be able to stop your bike nicely. At least if it is dry!

The main problem with a lot of old caliper brakes is just ropey engineering causing them to end up a bit lopsided. But decent quality period Campag or Suntour single pivot brakes are very good.

term1te

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions.

I've got some mint late 80s Chorus monoplaner brakes, so don't want to replace them. Switching to newer pads did improve the braking, but descending is still not as much fun as it should be. I'll try swapping the front wheel for one with "modern" rims to see how that helps. If it does, then I'm tempted by the Ambrosio Nemesis rims and see if I can get hold of some reasonably priced Campagnolo hubs. There's a set of Triomphe hubs on ebay at the moment that might fit the bill.

holiver

I think there is also the H Plus Son TB14 rim which might be worth a look.

term1te

Thanks holiver, those rims look like a good clincher option. AlthoughI'm quite tempted by the Nemesis rims, if only to add a little understated bling.

marcusjb

holiver wrote:

I think there is also the H Plus Son TB14 rim which might be worth a look.

Tb14s look fabulous in the flesh. I have a pair built up waiting to go on a new bike, so can not comment on their performance - but they look amazing!

ugo.santalucia

Nemesis is an infinitely better rim, if you don't mind riding tubulars

thiscocks

Have a pair of TB14s and they are v nice to ride. Pretty similar to my old Ambrosio Evolutions but a bit lighter, wider and probably a bit better finished. Agree they do look awesome too, esp on a steel frame!

Cant really compare the Nemesis with them as they are a different rim design. Both are very good at what they are designed for.