[CR]Super Champion 40 hole 700c rims

(Example: Racing:Jean Robic)

From: "Bob Hanson" <theonetrueBob@webtv.net>
Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2006 21:14:44 -0600
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Super Champion 40 hole 700c rims

Hi Folks,

Just wanted to mention (and recommend) an eBay buy I just received. Pair of Super Champion, model 58, 40 hole, 700c rims. Auction description was very minimal, so I had asked a number of questions first. I noticed the seller had also sold other pairs, so anyone interested may want to keep an eye out for more, or contact seller. Here's the auction page:

http://ebay.com/<blah>

These looked pretty dulled in the photo, so I expected I'd have to spend some quality time with them on the buffing wheel... I was wrong. They quickly came back to their original bright polish with a rag and some automotive alloy wheel polish.

If interested, here are the details: Stainless eyelets, single wall construction. ERD is around 611mm. Brake surfaces are flat (parallel) and with none of that common 60s-70s dimpling or grooving - to theoretically enhance braking. Outer wall width is around 23mm, and inner width around 16.5mm. Inside, behind the lower half of the brake flats the walls are thicker, so the bottom of the rim at the spoke holes is only 9mm wide. Slightly "hooked" rim edges. Presta valve holes.

Actual weight: 520 grams. (compare: 40° Sun CR-18 = 480g.)

They seem very sturdy so probably are indeed suited for a vintage tandem, cyclo-cross or touring bike. And, they're also very pretty, and shiny, and classically low in profile... all of which is basically impossible to find in any modern 40 hole rim. They'd make nice period correct replacements for any worn out 40 hole clincher rims you may have on your old Paramount or even R.Herse Tandem.

Seller (pre-bid) apologized about the shipping cost ($25) - which I suspect probably had kept other bidders away. But, they actually did arrive in a thick walled cut-down frame box which weighed a ton. My actual "Total" cost was just $57 for the pair... much less than I'd have paid for some modern Sun Rim counterparts. So, yeah :-) I'm smiling.

Cheers!
Bob Hanson, Albuquerque, NM, USA