What is the opinion of Velocity Rims compared to Pacenti Brevet rims?

[Joel Stern]

I was talking to someone and I mentioned that I have (what I think was their only rim at the time) the Velocity Synergy. He is well versed in bicycle parts and thought that I would do better when the time comes with Pacenti Brevet rims. How do the other velocity rims stack up with the Pacenti rims?

Thanks 

Joel

[Steve Palincsar]

I think the Synergy is now out of production.  The Atlas is a very heavy ultra-heavy-duty loaded touring rim, much heavier than the Pacenti Brevet.

On 7/8/20 5:12 PM, Joel Stern wrote:

I was talking to someone and I mentioned that I have (what I think was their only rim at the time) the Velocity Synergy. He is well versed in bicycle parts and thought that I would do better when the time comes with Pacenti Brevet rims. How do the other velocity rims stack up with the Pacenti rims?

-- 
Steve Palincsar
Alexandria, Virginia 
USA

[DB]

I've used the Synergy, Atlas and Brevet rims.  I had a Synergy crack and fail on me so I'm a bit biased against it.  I recently wore out a a set of Brevets (Over 12k miles of rando and mixed terrain riding) and replaced them with another set of Brevets.  I looked hard at the Velocity Quills but couldn't justify spending twice as much over the Brevets.  

The set of Atlas rims that I'm using on another bike have over 20k miles on them are still going strong.  If you don't care about the extra weight or need a burly rim, I'd recommend them.  

[Tom Norton]

I can confirm that Atlas rums are the bomb! Across North America and 3 times across Europe and they are still going strong!

[Michael Arciero]

As far as Velocity goes I have used Synergy, A23, Atlas, Cliffhanger, Quill, and Aileron-a disc only rim. The Synergy offset was the one prone to cracking, maybe the non offset too. I had an offset rear 36 hole crack years ago. There are many improvements in modern rims nowadays-including the Brevet, Quill, and even the A23. The Atlas is not new, but is a traditional box-section and non-tubeless. As said, it is heavy duty workhorse, no-bling rim for touring and tandem. The "fit and finish" is lesser than Velocity's "premium" rims (the word the Velocity rep used) but nothing that affects the functionality and they seem to be  great for what they are. I built up a rear for our tandem and it built up easily and has stayed true through loaded touring, etc. The more premium heavy duty rim from Velocity is the Cliffhanger. I just built up one of those for the front of the same tandem. (Would have used on the rear but there clearance issues because of their width). Both of these are overkill unless you want expedition level touring wheels.

I have Quills on my main bike, and they are awesome. The polished were $170 each. That hurt but I was splurging. I have a set of Brevets that I got on the amnesty program, so were half price. Have not used but all reports are good on these rims. In my mind it would come down to aesthetics and perhaps price with Brevet vs Quill. You could throw Hed Belguim in there too, which I have also used and now have on a commuter bike. They are awesome too but I like Velocity. 

You really  cannot go wrong with Quill or Brevet. Or even the A23. I've probably put more miles on that rim than any other rim. Again, awesome. That rim may not be in production any longer-the Quill is the latest evolution. 

[Dave Johnston]

Joel are you going to just move all the Bleriot parts over? I believe Joel is looking to setup an upright build Atlantis or Appaloosa, not a drop bar low trail rando machine, if that matters. I think for that use the Atlas might be more appropriate.

He mentioned 42mm tires, not sure if he will use tubes. The Atlas has a wider brake track than the Brevet which I think helps setup when using cantis, because they have wider pads and as they wear the pads creep downwards. Sidepulls have narrower pads and creep upwards but not very much as they wear.

I think it may be possible to use the same spokes from the Synergy to the Atlas, if your synergy's start cracking. It may also be possible that Velocity will replace your Synergys with Atlas if they start cracking.

I'm still using Synergy's on 4 household bikes without problems, but we both weigh under 150lb and each bike gets fairly low mileage.

-Dave J

[David Dye]

I have built dozens of pairs of wheels with Pacenti rims (and more than that with Velocity) and about a third of them had to be redone for rim failure of one sort or another. They used to be one of my favorites, but I won't build another Pacenti rim. Velocity is the clear choice for me if you want 650b rim brake wheels. 

David

[Ryan Witt]

Were your issues with Brevet or Forza or the older SL23?

[Evan Estern]

I'm very happy with my Velocity Quill rims. The brake track is a tad narrow for Mafac Raid brakes, but they've stayed perfectly true since I got them (around 4k miles ago) and I've been riding on a lot of rough roads.  I got them in black because they were a little less expensive.  My other 650B rims are Synergies, which don't track as well or feel as stiff or as strong.  Also they need annual touch ups on the truing stand. 

[Matt Beecher]

I have a23, atlas, cliffhanger, and dyad rims. I find tires easy to mount and they stayed true. Aesthetically, I prefer my Atlas rims.

I cannot speak about weight, because I’m fat. The rims are the least of my worries.

I do have a wheelset with Pacenti rims. Fortunately, I have never had a flat with them, but I rarely ride them, compared to the Atlas stuff. No real reason for that..,

Good luck,
Matt in Oswego, IL

[Tony Pappalardo]

I've got a couple of sets of A23's in 700c and 2 sets of Brevet's in 650b and have had zero issues with any of them. Of the Brevet's 3 of the 4 wheels were built by me, 2 fronts and a rear, and they built up easily. I only mention that because they are the 1st wheels I've built and they went together like I knew what I was doing..

On Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 4:12:44 PM UTC-5, Joel Stern wrote:

[Joe Bernard]

I have Atlas on my Riv Custom and like them for the reasons Matt stated: they look great and I don't have a care in the world what they weigh. My Vittoria Terreno Dry 47mm tires fit nicely.

[Michael Arciero]

Speaking of brake tracks- the Quill's is also quite narrow-narrower than some pads. Careful pad placement or contouring the pads can take care of that. 

Regarding Pacenti- as I'm sure David would know, there were supposedly issues with the old PL23 cracking. I have a rear on girlfriends bike that has been fine for years, albeit light use and light rider. That rim has a weird design-very square profile and spoke holes will pucker even under low tension. (FWIW my A23 OC rear puckered slightly at the spoke holes from the get go but was fine ever after). There also were issues with the first version of the SL23, though I had  it on a front of my main bike for years and tens of thousands of miles with no issue aside from a tight tire fit. It built up fine, stayed true, and I liked the machining on brake track which offered very consistent braking.  I could see how problems with as many rims as David reports would sour one on Pacenti, but my sense is that those issues were thoroughly sorted out by the time the Brevet came along. And now of course they have new owners. I like Velocity partly because as a company they seem committed to offering a range of rim brake rims in 36  hole drillings.