When I first read the previous post about how these Hi-E rims were fabricated not from continuous-wall tubing but with a continuous overlap secured at intervals via the eyelets, I immediately knew these would have relatively poor stiffness-to-weight ratio. Given their presumed, relatively light, weight, a lack of stability as built seems a certainty. Now, about the genius of using nylon nipple washers... oh, that was Roval!
David Snyder
yeah, used those in
Auburn, CA usa
>I would suggest using caution when building wheels with Hi-E rims. I
> have witnessed the results of the things self-destructing on two
> seperate occasions. The first was when a friend of mine (an
> expercienced wheelbuilder) was building himself a front time trial wheel
> with radial spokeing. He was putting the final tension on the wheel
> when it colapsed in on itself. The result looked like a sixteen inch
> wheel. The second was a few weeks latter when the wheel of a local cat.
> 2 racer had the same type of collapse with a radial front wheel during
> the race. Needless to say, this resulted in a nasty crash.