Here's a couple of pics of a late-1940s Ancora with wooden rims:
http://www.classicrendezvous.com/
and a few more pics if the website is working:
http://aldo-ross.agreatserver.com/
The Ghisallo rims were available at International Pro Bike Shop in the 1970s and early 1980s.
They are as easy to lace-up as any other rim, but you need long spoke nipples. They are easy to keep true, unless there's very much dish to the rear wheel. I've found that they're fine with a 4-speed, but nearly impossible to keep true with a 7-speed.
They are very nice to ride - soft and pliable, they absorb a great deal of road shock. It's not easy to get the spokes tight, as the rim will simple bow inward toward the hub. They are not fun in a sprint - seeing the front rim distorting as you crank it up can be somewhat disconcerting.
Build a pair and ride 'em, but be sure to take a spoke wrench.
Aldo Ross Blue Ball, Ohio
p.s. where is Whitehouse, Ohio?
> Hi! I saw these really nice looking wooden rims for sale on eBay #
> 7131419348.The brand is Ghisall and the owner says they're 1970's vintage.
> In all the pictures of vintage bikes you all have shown on the list in my
> year or so of subscribing, I've never seen wooden rims on any of your
> bikes. Will you help answer the following questions?
> 1) what year were they really made?
> 2) were they hard to lace up and keep true?
> 3) what were they like to ride?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Will McKnight
> Whitehouse, Ohio