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I have a couple of bikes that still use rim brakes. I have some carbon tubs, but i always fret about punctures etc, so i thought id get some clinchers.
The tubs are 19mm external and run with a Conti Sprinter tub 23mm at the rear. I have seen some Prime carbon rim brake wheels but they are Rim Width: 20.3mm (internal); 27.5mm external. This puts me perilously close to the chain stays.
Does anyone know of narrow rims that i can but to build, or wheels to buy? It seems that its not just being q/r and rim brake that is tricky, bit rear clearance too.
Thanks
Ian
Had this same issue when buying new wheels. The last but one generation of Campag/ Fulcrum are worth a look as they are relatively narrow, Bora35's/50's if you can find any left pre-WTO spec - I snapped up a pair of Fulcrum Speed 40c's nearly half price which are essentially the same as Bora's, they may be discontinued now but still some about, they are the same dimensions as the shallower racing zero carbons at 17C Internal, 24.5 External and with a 25c Gp5000 they were the max the decade old frame could take on width. All of these wheels are amazing performance with great brake tracks too.
The other way to do it is Lightbicycle (China direct) still sell narrow rims rim only - the Falcon is 18C internal/ 25external. Farsports still sell a complete 'classic' narrow wheel too on their www.wheelsfar.com site - I wouldn't hesitate on the quality of either of those these days if you don't mind the shipping wait.
Keep rim brakes alive...
.... or if you can forgo carbon, loads of Alu options are still relatively narrow. The Campag Shamal Ultra is a stunning wheelset, arguably one of the finest alu rim braked wheels ever made - and is 17C Internal 22 External so shouldn't pose too many problems clearance wise.
Those Primes you mention are very wide for an oldskool build, and lots of older callipers won't open wide enough for 27/28 external unless you pre-shave the pads...
I have an Argon 18 tt bike and a carbon Cube lightening. Id really like to keep them going, or just toughen my mental fortitude and ride the tubs!
Im going to check clearance and see if the lightbicycle or farsports rims will fit.
Thanks for the input, i will post back.
Ian
Its worth mentioning that while the lightbicycle rims have the good latest brake tracks, the narrow Farsports 'classic' have the older 'basalt' tracks which some found a tad dubious (though no worse than most mass market) - whereas the later modern dimensioned Farsports rims have an improved braketrack very similar to the grooved 'diamante' tracks on the Bora....
unless you pre-shave the pads
For what it's worth, Swissstop sell 'pre-shaved' pads for this very purpose, think they're marked 'Evo'
DT Rim brake ARC's are 17mm internal so they are good for tight tolerance rim brake frames.
Theyre tubeless friendly as well, which is unusual for wheels of this sort.