Never seems to matter.........bits of grit or tiny stones will always find a way in and eventually put a "white line" on the braking surface of the rim
Just had a quick look at my black rims with standard Campag brake blocks........seem to be pretty kind to the anodising
The other problem is that after use they develop zebra stripes of white. I assume that the spokes distort the rim at regular intervals, despite the rim being machined flat at manufacture (SUP). Never a good look
Early black rims like Arc-En-Ciel seemed to be a bit variable.
While I'm waiting on the Open 4 CD rims and Mavic 500 hubs being put together I decided to look around the net and see what else was out there for sale, not that I was needing more wheels for the ALAN.
I spied a pair of GP4 rims on Mavic 550 hubs (yes I really do like the 500 series hubs and no I've never ridden tubs before) the only problem being the rear hub had a broken axle. I had bought a rear 24h Mavic 501 hub for 99p a few weeks ago just because it was cheap and would be handy for spare parts. The GP4/550 combo arrived yesterday and not only was the rear axle broken but one of the bearings has seized solid (possibly the cause of the broken axle). The 550 hubs differ from the 500 hubs in that they don't have a bearing cover plate on the drive side (the 501 hub also doesn't have a bearing cover plate) so it was only a matter of knocking the old bearing out then removing the drive side bearing from the 501 hub and fitting it into the 550 hub. A five minute job and the GP4 was once again spinning freely. Just waiting on a couple of tubs arriving and I will try them out on the ALAN
I have a couple of Maillard freewheels that I might use but I think the 12T-21 (on the right) will be the preferred choice as 13T-19 might prove a bit too much for the roads around here
Might have to be a bit carful of a new chain jumping on the older block, especially of using a campag or similar non-panto type rear mech. The teeth do look a bit worn....
The block is actually in great condition Shaun, just in need of a good clean. It was on another wheel and I had tried it on the ALAN without any problems so I don't forsee any problems.