Sun CR18 16 x 1 3/8 349 ABT Alloy Rim - Silver - 36 Hole

I recommend this product

Bought this to build an electric hub for my Brompton. Original rim in the aftermarket kit had cracked after 4000 miles service. I noticed people commenting about having trouble fitting tyres. I used a new Continental Contact Urban and it was quite a breeze to fit. They don't have the wire round the edge that Marathon Plus tyres do. That's the issue I've had previously.

I recommend this product

These are nice shiny traditional rims with a classic box section. The 36h version is ideal for really old Moultons. Due to the lack of a deep central well, tyre fitting is exceptionally difficult. The 20" CR18, which I have on another bike, is ok but my 16" samples need a tyre lever just to get the first bead of the tyre over the lip, and only a VAR bead jack or similar will get the last part of the tyre on.

There is very little choice of rim in 349 size with 32/36 spoke drilling so worth a look if you use tyres than are not manufactured on the tight side. Do not even think about trying to fit Schwalbe Marathon or Marathon Plus tyres however! I can fit those tyres to Velocity Aeroheat 349 rims without the use of tools or lubrication but the Sun CR-18 349 rim requires metal levers, soap, lots of technique, strength, time and patience. Could not do it at the roadside so had to ditch the rims.

I recommend this product

I love the appearance of these rims. They are polished aluminium, double wall with eyelets. In fact the construction is like an aluminium extruded tube curled around and joined to make a circle. The strength must be unbelievably high. They are accurately made and build up well into precision running wheels. Some have a very slight radial wobble at the join, but this is so minor that it is not a concern. Although the holes are offset, they are not angled, so the spoke emerges nearly perpendicular to the rim. I haven't found this a problem, but angled holes would be better. You'll need high pressure rim tape for them, and the best tyre match is the Schwalbe Kojak or the old Stelvio, as the rims are quite narrow. Marathons will also fit. Wheels built with these rims will last for years, so it is money well-spent.

I recommend this product

I suspect if you are looking at this very specialist product we can dispense with banal chat?
Built an electric hub, flange 110mm dia, onto this rim, x2 nipples were at a jaunty angle but all was good, uniform tension into spokes and then 1.5 turns, little lateral truing required. Pricy as I normally do not need to buy retail, but find another supplier in the UK.