I need some pointers to some sources for anything other than Mavic rims, please. All the usual suspects (Excel, Totalcycling, etc) have Mavic, and that's it, I would like to see some other choices.

I am in the final stages of speccing out what I want in a new bike and it is being suggested that I get pre-built wheels. I am very unsure about these.

The ones I have looked at are

Campy Neutron
Campy Eurus
Reynolds Alta Race


Frankly I don't know if there's anything much in the differences in any of these, but they do restrict the wheel choice to clinchers.

I am also thinking about doing what I usually do - build a set of traditional spoked wheels. Tubular rims, 32 spokes - etc.

However in looking at the various retailers - I am only finding Mavic rims - any other tubular rim choices? And where do I find them?

Any thoughts on the pre-builts mentioned above?

Try Velocity, they make excellent rims and also have pre-built wheels, if that is what you want. Your LBS can get them, no problem.

Not sure if QBP still carries Sun rims. If they do, your LBS can get some M19 sew up rims. They have the exact same ERD that Mavic Open Pro clincher rims have.
Not too expensive.

I have heard the quality on the sun rims can make for a difficult build...any thoughts?
Velocity are equal or superior to mavic quality control

You can get the campag eurus in a tub ithink ribble uk have them in stock but i would try 11 speed first

Yup, the eurus are available in a tubular but the Neutron aren't.

The Neutron looks more like a traditional wheel, I really don't care for the look of the Eurus which is too bad since it can be had in Tub.

I need some pointers to some sources for anything other than Mavic rims, please. All the usual suspects (Excel, Totalcycling, etc) have Mavic, and that's it, I would like to see some other choices.

I am in the final stages of speccing out what I want in a new bike and it is being suggested that I get pre-built wheels. I am very unsure about these.

The ones I have looked at are

Campy Neutron
Campy Eurus
Reynolds Alta Race


Frankly I don't know if there's anything much in the differences in any of these, but they do restrict the wheel choice to clinchers.

I am also thinking about doing what I usually do - build a set of traditional spoked wheels. Tubular rims, 32 spokes - etc.

However in looking at the various retailers - I am only finding Mavic rims - any other tubular rim choices? And where do I find them?

Any thoughts on the pre-builts mentioned above?

Eurus are available in tubular or clincher if you look around. This year's campag site seems to suggest that neutrons only come in clinchers these days, but they've been available in tubbie in the past--you can likely find NOS if you hunt around, and excellent condition used ones show up pretty regularly on ebay.

Nothing against reflex rims, which may be what you'd like, but not counting NOS, aluminum alternatives for tubbie rims include Velocity (a couple of models--widely available, talk to your builder), Ambrosio (several models--ital-tecno has a few) and Sun. DT is supposed to be coming out with some in the fall.

Out of all of the pre builts you mentioned, I'd go with the Neutrons. Very strong, well made with high quality materials. My favorite pre-built clincher wheel. Comfortable but light although perhaps not as stiff as Ksyriums.

As for tubs, I'd still go with handbuilts and look for NOS rims on EBay. Campy's if you can find them or Wolber Aspin's and lastly, red labeled Mavic GP-4's. None of these have machined side walls but that's not big on my list. Ambrosio and FIR still make tub rims but patience is the key.

Good luck and happy hunting.

The M19's don't have eyelets, so the built can be tough if you don't follow some simple rules.
1) grease the spoke threads before building
2) grease the rim/nipple interface before building.
Apply more tension to the spokes than you normally would put in a eyelet type rim.