What makes a good Rim/Wheel?

[DC Pedal-Pusher]

Hi,
Just interested, what actually makes a 'good rim' ? (general term, i know.)
I understand that when you go to Carbon it bumps up the price etc, so lets keep Carbon out of this for now.
I look at wheels like Mavic Aksium and R-SYS etc and they fetch for $500 and $2000 respectively, but what exactly makes the difference?
Thanks
DC

[Chaderotti]

Better grade materials, lighter weight, less flex etc.

The r-sys you see is like riding a bike made of paper mache`. It might not fail straight away but eventually it will/would (dunno whats happening these days in terms of the r-sys).
Anyway, the r-sys has tubular carbon spokes. Carbon is good and all only when a force is applied in the way it was made to take a hit. But for spokes....

[Redbull]

Good depends on what your definition of good is.

To some, good means at least one of the following

Light
Big Decals
No Decals
Carbon
No Carbon
Brand Hubs
Aero
Cheap
Heavy Duty
Long lasting
Colourful
Exclusive
Expensive
Thick
Thin

Everyone has different needs and wants and so their definition of good is going to be very different.

[drubie]

Hi,
Just interested, what actually makes a 'good rim' ? (general term, i know.)

The strongest, lightest rim you can afford. That might might an entry level Fulcrum Racing 7 is the perfect rim (heavy but strong) or a Zipp 404 is the perfect rim (honey we're eating baked beans for the next three months) or an Ebay "stars" is the perfect rim (wow I got my old clunker on the road again!).

I can tell you what a bad rim is - one that stops you finishing a ride or a race through broken spokes.

[MichaelB]

Good depends on what your definition of good is.

To some, good means at least one of the following

Light
Big Decals
No Decals
Carbon
No Carbon
Brand Hubs
Aero
Cheap
Heavy Duty
Long lasting
Colourful
Exclusive
Expensive
Thick
Thin

Everyone has different needs and wants and so their definition of good is going to be very different.

You missed :
Minimal spokes
Fancy lacing patterns
Known brand name
Direction of carbon weave
Clincher or Tubular

[casual_cyclist]

but what exactly makes the difference?

Weight. Usually, the lighter the wheels, the more expensive they are.
Stiffness. Very cheap wheels can go out of true riding them on a flat road
Hubs. More expensive wheels have better hubs.

The rule of thumb with wheels is: light, strong, cheap... pick any two.

[ScottyL]

but what exactly makes the difference?

Weight. Usually, the lighter the wheels, the more expensive they are.
Stiffness. Very cheap wheels can go out of true riding them on a flat road
Hubs. More expensive wheels have better hubs.

The rule of thumb with wheels is: light, strong, cheap... pick any two.

Yup I'm no cycling god but thats how I see it too.... well put casual

[Aushiker]

Hi

As I learnt with bushwalking gear, there seems to be a inverse relationship between weight and price . That said I light Greg's answer. Seems to sum up what I have seen.

Andrew

[puffdaddy]

The more you pay the less you get I use Fulcrum 7's not the lightest but super stiff and strong,I Just dropped 3 1/2 kg body weight,,much cheaper than a few grams in wheel weight
Mike,,,