Opinions? Pacenti Forza vs HED Belgium+ vs Velocity Aileron

[jack.k...@gmail.com]

Hey 650B folk,

I have a bike I'm 90% certain I'd like to convert from 700C to 650B, so I'm investigating 650B rim options. This would be my first experience with 650B. Back in the day I bought a set of Pacenti SL23 V1 rims with out of spec bead diameter, so I'm eligible to buy a pair of Pacenti's current disc-only Forza rims at a $100 discount for the pair. Obviously my history with Pacenti rims isn't confidence inspiring, but I'm assuming QC has become more of a priority after the SL23 V1 fiasco. Right? Even at full retail the Pacenti Forza is drastically less expensive than the rims I see as competitors -- Hed Belgium+ and Velocity Aleron. Why is that?

Pacenti Forza, disk-only, $85, 405g, 24mm wide, 25mm height:

https://pacenticycledesign.com/collections/aluminium-rims-gravel-cross/products/forza-asymmetrical-road-rear-rim-27-5

Hed Belgium+ Disc, $150, 390g, 25mm wide, ?? height:

https://store.hedcycling.com/belgium-plus-disc-brake-clincher/

Velocity Aileron, disc-only, $140, 450g, 25mm wide, 28mm height:

http://www.velocityusa.com/product/rims/aileron-650b

Anyone have experience with the Pacenti Forza they can share? Any insights as to why the Forza's have such a drastically lower retail price compared to the apparently similar HED and Velocity rims?

Cheers,

-Jack

[Will Vautrain]

Kirk Pacenti is also out at Pacenti, the company was taken over by other folks, as far as I know. Whatever that means for QC I'm not sure, but clearly they're sending a message that things are different at Pacenti Cycle Design. 

I'm still in with regard to Pacenti, and am planning to build up some wheels with Brevet rims, for sure. I still have some SL25 wheels that are going strong, although to be honest, I've been riding a lot less since I had those wheels built up.

Velocity rims it seems to me are heavy and expensive, but fairly bulletproof (they've had their issues, too).

[Eric Fixler]

I run HED Belgium+ on my 650b and 700c Ailerons on my Croix DeFer.

I'd concur with Will that the Ailerons are pretty bulletproof. My Belgiums feel zippier, but that's probably to do with the build more than the rim weight by itself. 

I don't know the precise height of the HEDs, but they are definitely shorter than than the Ailerons. I think it would be hard to go wrong with this rim.

- Eric in the Hudson Valley

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[Jeff Bertolet]

HED rims are probably the easiest to build, they are relatively easy to get round and straight.

I prefer not to build with Velocity rims. I find them less stiff than other rims of similar weight. For me, this means it takes a lot more time to get them round and straight. For my money, I can always find a similar rim for less money, or a better rim for the same money. Usually DT Swiss, HED, H + Son, or Pacenti depending on the size, weight, other qualities I am looking for.

IMHO, Velocity lost their bombproof status a long time ago. They have had issues with seams failing, tires seating/blowing off, and spoke hole cracking (I am rebuilding a cracked Blunt this week).

They make a lot of models in lots of sizes and drilling’s. That’s great, but maybe makes QC difficult.

[jack.k...@gmail.com]

That's for the info. HED seems to have the best reputation, I can't find a negative review on them, but the price is a bit daunting. Given the available discount on the Pacenti Forza's I'm leaning in that direction. I just hope I don't see a repeat of my SL23 V1 debacle ...

-Jack

[Michael Arciero]

While they seem to have had isolated issues with certain models- Synergy OC for one, and maybe Blunt is another (In addition to yours, I've heard one story of splitting around the circumference under the rim tape) But I think the reliability and durability of most of the models has been pretty consistent.  So rather than QC it may be that they've introduced models into the market before they've worked out all the kinks. 

Complicating things is the fact that their production moved from US to AUS then back to US. I'm not sure if/how that affected things. 

[Jeff Bertolet]

Yes, the QC issues may be isolated. To be fair, they sell A LOT of rims, there are bound to be a few duds.

Ultimately, their rims have never seemed to justify the price. When building them, they seem like $50-100 rims, not $75-$140 rims.