I would suggest using caution when building wheels with Hi-E rims. I have witnessed the results of the things self-destructing on two seperate occasions. The first was when a friend of mine (an expercienced wheelbuilder) was building himself a front time trial wheel with radial spokeing. He was putting the final tension on the wheel when it colapsed in on itself. The result looked like a sixteen inch wheel. The second was a few weeks latter when the wheel of a local cat. 2 racer had the same type of collapse with a radial front wheel during the race. Needless to say, this resulted in a nasty crash.
My other complaint on the rims was the wear and grabing of brake shoes by the joint.
Having said this, I have a pair on a set of built up wheels that I would be willing to sell.
Steven Snider
steve.snider@comcast.net