Orient Express - Cheap Chinese Rims / Wheels / Forks / Frames / Cranks / Etc

Same as yours, and yes, once I've finished stuffing this garlic bread in my mouth

Those hanging scales are flattering those wheels actually:

1,112g total- ~70g lighter than the ones they are replacing, due to CX-Rays vs Sapim Laser, and Hubsmith hubs rather than UniQ.

Jello Dammit, very jello.

The complete wheelset looks like an amazing combination of depth and weight. For some reason, I feel I need the 88/60 combo. So I can find a log shallow decent, and see how loud I can make them purr.

Heh, I couldn't sell the 88mm for anything approaching what I paid for it, so I bought a 60mm to go with it instead- there is some logic in there, crying and trying to escape.

I'll build them up when I decide on what hubs to go with them.

Really happy with the 50mm wheelset- as you say, nice balance of weight and depth. Depending on the tyres it should edge the bike back under 6.8kg as well as giving a nice aero advantage.

Time to do more suffering on the turbo to make them roll fast next year.

Aha, i wasnt 100% the braking surface was special but I have nothing to reference with. I find the braking performance to be very very good actually, modulation is almost as good as my open pros with swisstop greens. I am running reynolds blue plads though, not the supplied ones.

The wheels are crazy light, it will take me a while to get used to them tbh. I kind of feeling like strapping some weights onto the frame just to weigh the thing down a bit more. And mine is 7.5kg, a porker relative to your machine!

Where did you get the blue pads from? I'd like to try them.

Not strictly relevant to this thread, but:

• Vittoria Corsa Evo CX 320 TPI, 700X23C, 245g
  
• Continental Competition 700X22C, 266g
  
  

Bit of tyre info for any proto-weenies out there.

Claimed or actual?

I don't suppose anyone didn't want the brake pads that came with they're rims did they?

Claimed or actual?

From my scales, I don't know the claimed weights

Both lighter than claimed. Well done Vittoria and c*n*oe.

I don't suppose anyone didn't want the brake pads that came with they're rims did they?

I've just fitted some well priced cork pads (just in time to pack the bike away, doh).
4 for £7.99. Pushing the bike around the workroom I could'nt get the brakes to squeak. Which was easy with the standard rubber ones. But as its pretty far from carbon hoop weather outside. Thats all I can say about them.

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=35

I don't suppose anyone didn't want the brake pads that came with they're rims did they?

I'll be ordering some new ones, either Swiss Stop yellows or Reynolds blue, so you can have mine.

PM me your address and I'll pop them in the post for you.

Andy if you go for the Reynolds can you grab me a set and i'll transfer you the cash?

Of course, but I very much doubt I'll order them until after the cyclocross season ends (my last race is likely to be on February 5th).

I bought my reynolds pads from here

http://www.fawkes-cycles.co.uk/1482458/products/reynolds-misc-baradine-blue-brake-pads-shimano-2-pairs.aspx

They aint cheap though but I hear they are the best.

Andy I am in no rush- these wheels won't be used until spring.

I thought the depth of them, was to prevent snow build up around the spokes.

I bought my reynolds pads from here

http://www.fawkes-cycles.co.uk/1482458/products/reynolds-misc-baradine-blue-brake-pads-shimano-2-pairs.aspx

They aint cheap though but I hear they are the best.

That price is for 4 though, no? Which is a lot cheaper than Swiss Stop yellow which are £40 for four.

That price is for 4 though, no? Which is a lot cheaper than Swiss Stop yellow which are £40 for four.

Yeah its for four. They are nice pads, im glad i got them

I've just fitted some well priced cork pads (just in time to pack the bike away, doh).
4 for £7.99. Pushing the bike around the workroom I could'nt get the brakes to squeak. Which was easy with the standard rubber ones. But as its pretty far from carbon hoop weather outside. Thats all I can say about them.

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=35

I'll keep these in mind thanks

I'll be ordering some new ones, either Swiss Stop yellows or Reynolds blue, so you can have mine.

PM me your address and I'll pop them in the post for you.

Done thanks a lot for that, I'll probably invest in some swiss stops eventually but these will keep me going till then cheers.

I'll probably invest in some swiss stops eventually but these will keep me going till then cheers.

Don't .. I've used both and IMHO the Reynolds Blue pads are far better. Better modulation and they don't 'grab' like swiss stop yellows ..

How are they for honking?

Also (and I may cross post this in AQA), this is my new front wheel:

Which is to go with this rear:

Now I'd like them to match- which means making the rear matte.

What's the best way of doing this- giving it a rub down with a high grit sandpaper or similar?

Brillo pad? Something else?

I don't have a problem with the Blue pads ..