Machined vs non-machined rims

[Lungimsam]

What are the pros and cons of each?

[Philip Kim]

Grant has a good write up about it. Nonmachined-more material something about retaining strength. Machined-something about perceived better braking power but that it's smoother.

I've had both and I would say machined rims feel like they modulate better and non machined is grabby. But I like then both

[Ron Mc]

I have machined Synergy and Open Pro rims, and non-machined Campy Moskva (and some non machined tubies).  Other than taking a little more attention to align the pads on the non-machined rims, no notable difference in performance.  

[Garth]

  Rims are rims. The inherent quality of the rim is more important than machined or not. If you think non machined may last you longer, stronger, bigger better etc. etc. , think again. If you think machining gains/saves you anything either , think again !  Or simply don't think at all, really, it's so much easier to live and we all know it, just smile and behold !

[Ray Varella]

The only difference I have noticed is when setting up new rakes and new rims, I had slightly less brake squeal (until the pads bedded in) with machined rims.
My hypothesis was that the machined sidewalls worked the way a slightly scuffed rim worked.

The difference was marginal and would not drive my decision on rim choices.

Cheers
Ray
Vallejo CA

[Alex Wirth- Owner, Yellow Haus Bicycles]

I've noticed a fairly significant decrease in braking power on my non-machined rims (VO, CR-18) in the rain vs my bikes with machined rims.

[Lungimsam]

I have noticed very low braking power on my non-machined Grand Bois rims. Even with yokozuna salmon pads.
I am hopefully going to try kool stops. If that doesn't help, blue swiss stops.

[Zed Martinez]

I've never had good luck with braking power on mirror-finished rims. At least, the VO ones were terrible for it. I think it's something in the anodization that hardens them, they never seem to get their surface to groove and seat properly. Low stopping power and lots of noise with 4 different types of brakes and 5 different pads. Just had one of my wheels rebuilt with a NMSW but also non-polished Atlas and the stopping power and noise have been considerably better even without going back to salmon pads. The one thing I found with the VO mirror polished, and maybe it'd help with the Grand Bois, was every other week or so I'd take the pads off and scuff the surface with a rasp, and then I'd have excellent and quiet stopping for a while until the pads wore smooth again. And every time I'd check the pads they'd not just be smooth, but glazed. Never had such problems with any other rim I ever used, and maybe the VO ones just have issues, but it's really put me off mirror finish rims at this points.

[Lungimsam]

Bump. Anymore feedback? Trying to decide between my spare Synergy set or GB set. Neither were great in rain. Wonder if A23 better (machined). 650b. Long reach sidepulls.

[Eric Karnes]

I had a set of 650b A23s set up with Riv Silver Brakes. They were nice, but honestly not significantly better than my (non-machined) C-18s in terms of braking. Unless you think the braking performance is bordering on dangerous, I would just go with the Synergys you already have and see if you can improve things a bit with brake setup/pads/etc.

Eric

[Bill Lindsay]

Eric is right.  Use your Synergies, make the best of it, and enjoy yourself.  Machined sidewall rims are a little better in the rain, in my experience.  That said, rim brakes always perform worse in the rain.  If you go a long time between uses, and grab the brakes when you need to stop, like NOW, the feeling is almost that the brakes make you speed up.  Brake early.  If you are in a scenario where you can anticipate needing to use the brakes (like on a descent or in town or in a group), consider the technique of frequently using your brakes very lightly to squeegee some of the water off.  When it is raining, also congratulate yourself by meditating on Rule #9. 

Bill Lindsay

El Cerrito, CA

[Lungimsam]

The attraction of the GB rims is that they auto seat compass tires. No massaging necessary. I could get the machined A23 set But then I would have to pay for a whole new wheelset 500 bucks. Maybe I'll just switch from the yokozuna pads to cool stops and Swiss stops and see what happens with all my existing rims.

[Philip Kim]

Switchback hills on Synergy rims seated just fine for me (much better than hetres). They measure about 42mm stretched for about a month or two. I can take a digital caliper measurement at whichever pressure you'd like.