I'm building a new wheelset to go around a powertap hub and was thinking of the niobium 19mm rims. Are these recommended for lower spoke count wheels? I've use the 25mm nio tubular rims for my cross racing wheels with 20/24 aerolite spokes and was happy with their stiffness/reliability. These new wheels will be for the road only and I was thinking about 24/28 also with aerolite spokes. I'm interested in using the 19mm rims because of their low weight but don't want anything too soft. I probably wouldn't build a velocity aerohead into a 24 spoke wheel but these niobium rims seem pretty stout for their weight. I am very light (130-135lbs) and usually easy on equipment but prefer stiffer gear and I spend a lot of time on my bike. What do you guys say?

I'm building a new wheelset to go around a powertap hub and was thinking of the niobium 19mm rims. Are these recommended for lower spoke count wheels? I've use the 25mm nio tubular rims for my cross racing wheels with 20/24 aerolite spokes and was happy with their stiffness/reliability. These new wheels will be for the road only and I was thinking about 24/28 also with aerolite spokes. I'm interested in using the 19mm rims because of their low weight but don't want anything too soft. I probably wouldn't build a velocity aerohead into a 24 spoke wheel but these niobium rims seem pretty stout for their weight. I am very light (130-135lbs) and usually easy on equipment but prefer stiffer gear and I spend a lot of time on my bike. What do you guys say?
First, i think that @ your weight, a 24/28 nio 19 would probably work out. But since u asked for opinions, i would shun these 400g rims and go for the nio 27 profile rims... They're 30g per piece heavier, but with a much better profile which u'd actually get a benefit out of... 400g alu C rims are just so WW can say "my wheels weigh xx", u'd never notice 60g spread over two wheels !

also u are building a Powertap Hub around it, so why even care about the wheel weight, it aint gunna be light !! i'd go for the stiffness and aero of the 27s or perhaps even the 30s over the 19s... Since your positive experience w/ the 25mm tubbies, i'd say the 27s would prolly be fine in a nice 20/24 cx-ray aero package !

my 2 anyway.

Yeah, I'm a little skeptical of the 400g rims, that's why I was asking here. I didn't realize they made a 27mm clincher rim. That might be the answer. Maybe I'll even use a 19mm on the front and the stouter 27mm on the back both with 24 spokes.
As far as worrying about the weight, I'd like the wheels to be light enough that I would be willing to race them. I have some nice dedicated racing tubular wheels but it would be nice to do some races with the PT to get some data. The build I'm thinking about should come out to about 1550g or so which would be pretty reasonable. Plus, I could ditch my current wireless computer and my bike probably won't weigh too much more than normal.

if you're ok w/ frnt and rear wheels @ the same spoke count... i'd prolly go 27mm for both w/ a 20h front... prolly stiffer, about the same weight given 4 less spokes, more aero which is good for a front wheel !