Generic Chinese rims have gotten very good. I bought a pair of Firecrest clones last year. I was able to spec the spokes and the hubs and the build quality is excellent. I season of racing (I do a weekly road race) at 200+ lbs and they are still as true as the day I bought them. Brake tracks are good even in the rain as long as you don't try to use the cork brake pads.
They were about $700 with Sapim spokes and novatek hubs. I just can't see buying Zipps again for 4 times the money. For the, "I don't trust them crowd", I've had a 404 where the brake track separated from the rim and an Ardennes hub flange crack.
They were about $700 with Sapim spokes and novatek hubs. I just can't see buying Zipps again for 4 times the money. For the, "I don't trust them crowd", I've had a 404 where the brake track separated from the rim and an Ardennes hub flange crack.