Can Carbon rims be considered Retro?

[Mikey08]

New lightweight 26" rims are almost non-existent these days. Light Bicycle carbon 26" are one option. Or if your lucky you can find some Stans Crest mk4 but its even harder to find them in anything other than 32 hole. I trawled to internet and found nothing in the UK so had to get mine from Germany and pay the extra import costs.

 

[Retrorockit]

I ordered 26" 24 spoke carbon XC rims from Carbonal. Chinese, but actual mfg. not an Alibay vendor. Shipping was reasonable, and I found no horror stories online. @ 280g much lighter than similar XC rims from others (320g). I'm at the light end of usage scale (but personally over 200#) so right at their flat ground weight limit. Yes a lot of flat ground here.
It turns out that they don't stock any wheels. They're all made to order. So add 2-3 weeks to the process.
This put them past the Aug. 29 deadline for tariff exemption. China wasn't exempt anyway so I have no idea if this is already collected or not?
I got the plain black finish so they will pass for disc brake alloy rims at a glance. I plan on getting Berd rope spokes also. The latest high tech stuff, but it looks archaic as hell.

 

[Retrorockit]

There's still a lot to be said for buying domestic Carbon rims, even if they're mostly made in China. Mostly warranty, and customer service. I just couldn't find what I needed.

 

[wynne]

I built my easton haven 29er carbon rims onto some bitex bx106 hubs. Ended up lighter than the originals and the hubs are far more durable and easily convertible.

You could rebuild these. They are a steal.
https://ebay.us/m/IPUIgW

 

[Retrorockit]

NOS, nice. A Berd spoke job and done. But nobody ships to the US anymore.....

 

[Mikey08]

Im sure BERD spokes are nice but roughly £500 a set is a joke

 

[Retrorockit]

In the US it's more like $350. I could skip the Berds and put the carbon rims on my Mavic wheels, but the loss of a set of vintage Mavics would be a cost also. I liked my Rene Herse extralight slicks. The weight loss was really nice. I'm looking for more of the same in the carbon rims, and the spokes.
26" and 24 spoke will make this even lighter than newer formats. My former hobby of hotrodding makes these prices seem fairly reasonable. Especially since I no longer need to maintain a fully equipped garage to do it.

 

[Mikey08]

Dont get me wrong from what ive seen and read they ride really well and weigh less than even the lightest traditional spokes. If theyre in your budget go for it. Also props to you for keeping 26" alive!

 

[Retrorockit]

It will take me a few months to get everything I need. But I really like seat of the pants experience instead of theorizing. I have the hubs, by the time the rims arrive I think I can afford the spokes. It's not going to happen all at once. Rene Herse has kept 26" alive with his full race Extralight Gravel Slicks. The 26" carbon rims are getting scarce. 24 spokes saves some weight and some cost too. I think it's worth doing. Wide 26" that's just as fast and light as many 700c wheels, Sure why not.

 

[Mikey08]

I hope youll be showing the bike here once your new wheels are ready