In a message dated 8/16/02 8:52:31 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Wdgadd@aol.com writes:
<< Does anyone have any experience with using wooden rims? Is there any
difference in ride quality (I know I'm opening up a can of worms here!)?>>
Yes, indeed. I use them on a track bike, with the front brake for emergencies
only.
<<How about braking?>>
In the old days there were special brake shoes for wood rims. If you use
brakes, you will need to re-varnish them frequently.
<>
I think those were Ghisallo rims that require long nipples. Old Union ones
work ok. They turn up occasionally at swap meets.
<<How rare are the SuperChampion Darrigade rims that were ferruled and thus
used standard nipples?>>
Very rare. I just found a set after looking for over 10 years.
<<How does weight compare to a regular dural rim?>>
Ghisallos weigh about 310 grams
<<I'm also interested in the old wood insert Scheeren rims. How well did
the standard ones (not the Weltmeisters) work on the road? Fragile? Could
they stand the tension of being dished for a 130mm/7speed wheel? >>
It depends how much you weigh and how you ride. They are a bit fragile and I
don't think they'd handle 6 speed dishing very well. 5 speed, unidish, or
track works well, unless you want to blow them up. They don't hold a lot of
tension and are better tied and soldered.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA