Braking on non-brake wall rims (H+Son Formation Face Hard Ano)

Hey,

some might have seen it, they released a limited edition of the Formation Face rim which is hard anodised: http://affinitycycles.com/store/rims/h-plus-son-formation-face-hard-ano-limited-edition.html

I wonder what would happen if you brake on them with a normal rim brake? If it is not possible, what would be the point in hard anodising on them?

Of course, the Formation Face does not have a planar brake wall, instead it is slightly tapered. BUT the same goes for Campagnolo Omega V or (even more clearly) Araya Super Aero, and you can brake on those very well too, so that is not a valid reply.

Also, when looking at the cross section views of the Formation Face, the wall thickness where the brake pads would engage is about equally strong as in the SL42.

If the walls are strong/thick enough to be used for a braking surface then there won't be a problem. Of course a rim with a machined braking surface is going to be better in performance as all the pad is touching the rim. But probably nowhere near enough for anyone to actually notice.

You're asking why they would hard anodise them if you aren't supposed to use a brake on them?*
I'd like to ask what the point is in getting a rim without a braking surface and then use a brake on it. Hard anodised or not, it will leave marks and you will have tatty looking rims that actually look worse than rims with a braking surface. So no idea if it's possible but it's something you shouldn't want to do regardless imo.

*btw the answer to this question is probably style. So that hipsters will think they own something with retro appeal.

I just never understan why they make non brakkng rims, they do the same for bmx. I suppose its a weight issiue too.

well brake or no brake aside, hard anodising is extremely tough stuff. was recently attempting to polish some componants, one set were normal ano the other so called 'hard ano' for a start removing most of the ano with oven cleaner was a joke, took hours of recoating and scuffing. and then when I thought I could get away with just polishing from there I found that the normal ano soon rubbed/ scoured off, the hard ano just stayed.
A few hours of polishing, and the spots of hard ano were left raised by >0.5mm with the alu around it sunken down. shit is hard yo.

I'd like to ask what the point is in getting a rim without a braking surface and then use a brake on it. Hard anodised or not, it will leave marks and you will have tatty looking rims that actually look worse than rims with a braking surface. So no idea if it's possible but it's something you shouldn't want to do regardless imo.

See Omega V's, they also have no specific brake surface (non-planar cross section everywhere) and still look good if you use Koolstop pads on them (still no extraordinary marks on them here, after half a year of riding)

I still have no clue what the problem of braking on hard ano formation face's would be. They are not more non-planar than Omega V's, the wall thickness at the brake pad engagement area looks good, so what's left?

right. I have now ordered a pair of these sweeties and time will tell what happens as soon as the koolstops dig into them