Those wooden rims at NAHBS really did look nice! They at wheelbuilder.com are prepared to build up a good product, too. Will need special long nipples and of course they cannot be tensioned as high as an alloy.
About 10 years ago, before the demise of the stores, Wheelsmith's Ric Hjertberg was promising a pet project would get off the ground. He was to begin offering wooden, made in California(!), rims in both tubular as well as clincher. Kept putting it off. Apparently had the woodworkers, but never were they to be offered to customers. Anybody know anymore? I spoke with him on numerous occasions as I was anxious to see what they would be like.
Ken Wehrenberg, Hermann, MO --BTW, Jay, do you still want those 27"Superchampion Wheelsmith-built clinchers?