Where is the best place to get a new rim for a 16 spoked wheel?

Question

Surely somewhere makes and sells them less than the price of a new wheelset.

Would a deep section 32 hole rim be up to the task?

I know someone that will fit and true it for me.

No it is not machine made. You can buy rims. The local bike shop charge as much for the genuine rim, as I have paid for a similar wheelset.

Answer 1

Not Knowing where you are I can only suggest that you look for a bike shop that still makes wheels. These are getting harder to find as most manufacturers are moving toward prebuilt wheels.

Not every deep section rim will be "up to the task". There are a few that are made for 16 spoke counts.
(Ayara ADX 1s), (Ritchey WCS road DS), (Various Shimano) (heaps of carbon). If you find something else, you think might be O.K. check the manufacturer's site for the lowest count they recommend.

There is little point in using a 32 hole rim as if it is a type suitable you should be able to order it in 16.

I often wonder why anyone would willingly drop over a grand on wheels that you can't get spares rims for. They are so easily damaged.

Answer 2

Yep, rims cost don't they???

32 hole rim? I wouldn't do it (for looks only) but it could work. If the spacing is even on your hub it should work, but if you have a hub that had paired spokes it could be complicated (different length spokes would be needed etc) and the spoke angles off the hub could be an issue.

Other than the concern of the hubs spoke pattern a deep section wheel should be rigid enough to likely work missing the 16 spokes. Do us a favor here and publish your results.

Answer 3

Is your wheelset a machine built one? I think it might be, and that's a big drawback.

I don't know if you could just take a 32 hole rim and skip a hole.