Floyd-
It really depends on how you plan to use the bike.
Gold Models (16b) are the current NJS approved tubular, while they are really nice looking rims, they are specifically made for the track and thus probably won't hold up to street use. I've recently sold a pair and they were really nice, light and well made rims, but I would have been very hesitant to use them on anything other than the boards.
Aero 1's saw lots of road use and are structurally better suited for street use that golds. Correct me if am I wrong, but these were the rims that required special washers to re-enforce the eyelet area.
Aero-4 were good all round rims and a bit tougher than the original aeros, I have also had good luck with Araya Red tubulars. There are also some current production araya tubular rims that have a nice classic look, ADX-1s and the R50. But you would have to find a friend in japan to get those.
Hope that helps.
Sean Flores San Francisco, CA
Date: Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:36:46 -0700 (PDT)
> From: floyd draeger <catbox1234567@yahoo.com>
> To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR]information on araya 'gold' and 'aero 1' tubulars
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> Message: 13
>
> hello list,
>
> i have a japanese vintage lightweight project in the works ( yes, ...a 3 re
> nsho), and i have a choice of NOS rims to make:
>
> areo 1 or the 'gold' model
>
> the 'gold' pair i have are vintage, ...maybe old as dirt. ...i know this
> model is still currently made.
>
> if any one out there has any experience with either of these 2 rims, ...bot
> h good and bad, ...please bring it on.
>
> i'll be using 36 hole frt/rear, 126mm rear, 145 lbs.
>
> plenty thanks and aloha
>
> floyd draeger
> kailua kona HI USA
>
> =0A=0A=0A
>
> ------------------------------