23mm Rims/ Archetypes ....

[Fab Foodie]

A few here have extolled the virtues of 23mm and in particular Archetype rims.
I'm seriously interested in a pair, though with Ultegra hubs (I like cup and Cones).
http://paolocoppo.drupalgardens.com/media-gallery/detail/16/451

What's peoples experience of 23mm rims in general, are they as good as many suggest?

More Archetype details:

http://www.dcrwheels.co.uk/products/rims/700c-rims/H-Plus-Son-Archetype/

 

[jowwy]

DCR built my wheels for me, but i chose the velocity a23 rims. the wheels are built on 32h shimano 105 hubs and are very smooth and comfortable to ride. for me they are also easier to keep going at higher speeds with less effort due to the lighter rims. but they have now been replaced by zipp 202's and will be put onto the commuter bike which gets more use.

 

[musa]

The archetypes are bomb rim. Fantastic. Get them

 

[musa]

A work colleage has got a pair on chris king hubs

 

[Rob3rt]

The Archetype rims will look like shoot after one wet ride, just like any wheel with coloured braking surfaces, if you care about such things. If you don't have disc brakes, then you may wish to look at Velocity A23 rims for longevity of aesthetics.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

I built myself a set of wheels with the Archetype. The rims are super. I'm very impressed with the quality of the rims. They build very good wheels. I'm running 32R and 24F - They are a little heavier than the Velocity A23 but also better quality.
I used Novatec hubs and the total cost was £186 so with Shimano 105 would be about the same cost. Ultegra are the same as 105 but have the logo Ultegra that some people like better. Ultegra hubs are about twice the price of 105.
There are a few advantages with 23mm rims but there's plenty of info on that already.

These are my rims

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/w...-in-having-your-wheels-built-for-free.133384/

 

[Fab Foodie]

I built myself a set of wheels with the Archetype. The rims are super. I'm very impressed with the quality of the rims. They build very good wheels. I'm running 32R and 24F - They are a little heavier than the Velocity A23 but also better quality.
I used Novatec hubs and the total cost was £186 so with Shimano 105 would be about the same cost. Ultegra are the same as 105 but have the logo Ultegra that some people like better. Ultegra hubs are about twice the price of 105.
There are a few advantages with 23mm rims but there's plenty of info on that already.

These are my rims

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/w...-in-having-your-wheels-built-for-free.133384/

Thanks, food for thought!
The rest of the bike is Ultegra and my exiosting Ultegra hubs have been so brilliant that for an extra few quid on the whole project I would (initially) stick with what I know ... but I'm open to persuasion!

 

[VamP]

The A23s are a bit lighter and a bit softer, the Archetypes are a bit heavier and quite a bit stiffer. I too would suggest you look at Novatec hubs, they are great value.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

Thanks, food for thought!
The rest of the bike is Ultegra and my exiosting Ultegra hubs have been so brilliant that for an extra few quid on the whole project I would (initially) stick with what I know ... but I'm open to persuasion!

I've been trying to find a website where somebody cut the the Dura Ace, ultegra, 105 and one more in half. There is no difference in the technology between the 105 and the Ultegra, only a very small weight difference. The difference is noticeable going to Dura Ace. As always, when I need to find a website I can't find it

I built a winter set with Shimano 105 and Ambrosio rims and they are great winter wheels. I also like Shimano hubs, they are brilliant. I wish they made them for 24 and 28 spokes too.

Shimano hubs are so tough and reliable that a trick some touring wheel builders do is to take a MTB Shimano hub and cut 2.5mm on each side of the axle to make it fit on a 130mm road bike dropouts. Newer touring bike take the 135mm hubs so no need to cut the axle. Deore hubs have the best water protection of any hub so a favourite for touring in wet areas.

The Archetype rims will look like s*** after one wet ride, just like any wheel with coloured braking surfaces, if you care about such things. If you don't have disc brakes, then you may wish to look at Velocity A23 rims for longevity of aesthetics.

If you ask Paolo, link quoted on first post. He has built quite a few of these rims and he will tell you that he had no complains from any of his customers regarding the rims fading. I asked him and he said "don't be a wimp" it will show that you actually use the bike. I've done about 700 miles on mine and there is very little sign of wear..... it shows I don't go fast enough to apply the breaks too many times

 

[Fab Foodie]

I built myself a set of wheels with the Archetype. The rims are super. I'm very impressed with the quality of the rims. They build very good wheels. I'm running 32R and 24F - They are a little heavier than the Velocity A23 but also better quality.
I used Novatec hubs and the total cost was £186 so with Shimano 105 would be about the same cost. Ultegra are the same as 105 but have the logo Ultegra that some people like better. Ultegra hubs are about twice the price of 105.
There are a few advantages with 23mm rims but there's plenty of info on that already.

These are my rims

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/w...-in-having-your-wheels-built-for-free.133384/

The more I read, the more Novatec hubs come-up as a good thing, especially weight-wise? Furthermore you can get lower spoke count versions than Shimano (32/36) which has a certain appeal. What are your thoughts?

 

[Spoked Wheels]

The more I read, the more Novatec hubs come-up as a good thing, especially weight-wise? Furthermore you can get lower spoke count versions than Shimano (32/36) which has a certain appeal. What are your thoughts?

If you like names then Novatec sold in the UK have no logo at all. You can buy on ebay with logos but harder to find.
Novatec are pretty good hubs for the price..... probably one of the top hubs from Taiwan. I would prefer Shimano if I could find for less spokes but that is not an option. They are also quite light.

I know that Novatec will not last as long as my 105 but that is OK for me, I'll just buy another hub and rebuild. If you have to pay somebody then you might have to consider that. But I'll get lots of miles before that happens and also consider than I'm not a feather weight.

They roll very well, can't see any difference with shimano hubs.

One more thing, if you like quiet hubs like Shimano 105, ultegra, etc then the Novatec is noisy, nearly as much as Mavic but less than Hope hubs... that is one thing that still annoys me.

 

[fossyant]

Just to pop a spanner in, I can recommend Mavic Open Pro and CXP33's, but they aren't 23mm rims if that's what you want. The non-machined brtaking surface would be a no-no for me, as like what Rob3rt says, after a few wet rides the rims will look a mess.

At 470g they are about the same as CXP33's, but Open Pro's come in about 30g lighter !

You also have Ambrosio Excellight as well !

Choices choices !

 

[Fab Foodie]

Just to pop a spanner in, I can recommend Mavic Open Pro and CXP33's, but they aren't 23mm rims if that's what you want. The non-machined brtaking surface would be a no-no for me, as like what Rob3rt says, after a few wet rides the rims will look a mess.

At 470g they are about the same as CXP33's, but Open Pro's come in about 30g lighter !

You also have Ambrosio Excellight as well !

Choices choices !

Cheers Fossyant, I started by thinking Open Pros on Ultegra, but then thought they're a bit ubiquitous (and others have pointed that out too). Then I saw the Archetypes and thought they just looked fab! It's a certain amount of vanity but my next bike has to look a bit special or at least not ordinary. 30g is nothing even on a rim when I could do with shedding at least 10kgs off my belly.

With (potentially) a Ritchey Road Logic frame and silver Ultegra running gear the grey Archetypes could look good!

 

[VamP]

The Excellight is a very pretty rim IMO.

 

[Fab Foodie]

If you like names then Novatec sold in the UK have no logo at all. You can buy on ebay with logos but harder to find.
Novatec are pretty good hubs for the price..... probably one of the top hubs from Taiwan. I would prefer Shimano if I could find for less spokes but that is not an option. They are also quite light.

I know that Novatec will not last as long as my 105 but that is OK for me, I'll just buy another hub and rebuild. If you have to pay somebody then you might have to consider that. But I'll get lots of miles before that happens and also consider than I'm not a feather weight.

They roll very well, can't see any difference with shimano hubs.

One more thing, if you like quiet hubs like Shimano 105, ultegra, etc then the Novatec is noisy, nearly as much as Mavic but less than Hope hubs... that is one thing that still annoys me.

I can live with noisy hubs on one bike .... my Reynolds are noisy ... you have to keep pedalling!

OK, I'm 88kg right now and planning to drop 10kg to say 80kg.

Grey Archetypes
Novatec Hubs (which ones) Would 24/28 be possible? Price up to and around Ultegra ....
Dble butted spokes

Or with

105 32/36
Double Butted Spokes

What would you choose? I'm finding it hard to get Novatec prices and details.