16 hole clincher rims?

Triathlon Forum
1

I am looking to repurpose some Shimano 7800 hubs that came with a set of tubular wheels. I love the hubs, but don’t love dealing with tubulars.

The problem is the spoke count is 16/20 and I am having a hard time finding clincher rims with only 16 holes. Sure, I could get a 32 hole rim and only use half, but wondering if there are any recommendations on hoops with only 16 holes. Thinking something wide and shallow like a Pacenti SL23, Hed Belgium, etc.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

2

Looking like I would be able to do a Pacenti SL23 build if I go with 20/32. Follow up is whether there is any reason not to do this. I’m thinking 16 spokes radially laced for a front wheel would be fine with that rim.

Anyone who knows more than me about wheel building - literally everyone who has ever turned a spoke wrench - is welcome to chime in.

3

I personally would just sell the wheels complete, then get a new wheelset or new hub that wont limit your rim options. That’s my $0.02

4

I think you would be better off just selling the wheels and buying what you want with the appropriate amount of spokes. If the existing rims were damaged in some way, I could understand possibly re-purposing the hubs. As to buying a 32 hole rim and only using half, I’m not an expert wheel builder (built 5 wheels for myself) but this seems like a bad idea (water entry/wheel strength).

5

If you are new to building wheels, I don’t think a 16 hole wheel is the place to start. It just seems like a low spoke count would have a lot less room for error. If you are paying someone to do it, get their recommendation.

6

Velocity Deep V is available in a 16.

Wheelbuilder.com can order them for you.

7

You can get chinese carbon rims custom drilled, at least you can from carboncycles. Else I only know of the Deep V currently.

8

Zipp 808 Firecrest
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9

I don’t think the SL23 or HED, even if they were available in such a low spoke count would be optimal. For an alloy wheel, I would want to see a rim designed specifically for such a low spoke count with reinforcing at the spoke holes, rather than just a rim offered in drilling a from 16H through to 32H. (http://www.bikehubstore.com/C31-p/c31.htm), but unless you’re very light you would be much better off going for a deeper rim such as a 60mm, or better yet 80mm, carbon clincher. Look at Enve and Zipp and see where they start to use 16H rims in their line up.

But if you want to go the alloy route, BHS have a rim.

10

Can’t believe I didn’t know about that Kinlin. 16f and 20r with that rim should be fine if they are built well, unless the OP is a heavyweight.

11

With that low a spoke count, I’d go with a beefy rim to make sure it lasts. the Dura Ace wheels survive on a shallow wheel and low spoke count by having REALLY HIGH spoke tensions. I’d recommend going for a deep rim. The pacenti would be a decent choice, although I’;d much prefer you go carbon. something like a reynolds 66 is available in 16.

12

Awesome. The 16 hole version of that wheel is only $45.

While I would love to lace this hub to an Enve or Zipp wheel, they are a little expensive and I am looking for an everyday wheel set for my road bike.

I would love to sell them and buy somethings new, but I don’t think shallow 10-speed tubular are worth much these days (7850 C24s).

Thanks again.