CSS rims

[Matt2matt2002]

I have a set on my old Raven.
Getting pretty 'smooth' now.
Any idea why SJS stopped selling them?

[mickeg]

They are no longer made.  The theory is that with the prevalence of disc brakes, they did not sell very well anymore.

[WorldTourer]

I have a set on my old Raven.
Getting pretty 'smooth' now.
Any idea why SJS stopped selling them?

They were discontinued years ago, before Covid IIRC. Not only are disc brakes mature technology now and superior (inasmuch as they don’t make rims wearable parts), but they are found on nearly all new bikes sold now, even Chinese BSOs from the local hypermarket. A consequence of this is that it’s getting hard to find replacement rim-brake pads of quality in many countries without having to special-order.

[Matt2matt2002]

Thanks folks.

Disc brakes rule now?

Humm, thinking forward what are my options? I'm not sure my forks would take a disc adaption - if that's an option?
An ordinary rim and rim brake pads?

[pandanroll]

Why not just use non css rims? With gentle pads like Kool Stop, the rims should last a long time. 15,000km at least IME. Then when it’s time to change, just delace and rebuild the wheel. Just like  any other wearable component like a chain.

[WorldTourer]

The rims should last a long time. 15,000km at least IME.

LOL. That’s just three long tours over a winter or a summer, and then one has to go through the pain of finding a respected master wheelbuilder and paying again for his services that are only getting more expensive with general inflation. (Or you could do all the work yourself, but delacing is a pain in the arse and the result is not going to be “bombproof” for many cyclists.) Again, it’s no surprise that disc brakes are taking over the world now. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ryde soon slashes its selection of rims with a braking surface on them at all.

[PH]

Getting pretty 'smooth' now.

Smooth is fine, the carbide isn't a coating it's meant to go all the way through.  Now they no longer have the original roughness, switch to softer pads, I like the Kool Stop Salmon of the BBB Tristop. I only have the one CSS wheel still in use, on the front of my Mercury, it's been smooth for at least the last 20,000km.  If I put a straight edge against it, I can only just see daylight through the middle.  I have a measuring tool somewhere, but it would need to be a good bit more concave before I bother looking for it.
CSS rims didn't cross over when Rigida became Ryde, production moved to Hungary and some other lines were also dropped at the same time.  I can't remember if existing stock was re-branded but they didn't produce any more, I don't think they bought all the equipment and tooling.

[pandanroll]

The rims should last a long time. 15,000km at least IME.

LOL. That’s just three long tours over a winter or a summer, and then one has to go through the pain of finding a respected master wheelbuilder and paying again for his services that are only getting more expensive with general inflation. (Or you could do all the work yourself, but delacing is a pain in the arse and the result is not going to be “bombproof” for many cyclists.) Again, it’s no surprise that disc brakes are taking over the world now. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ryde soon slashes its selection of rims with a braking surface on them at all.

the OP was asking about CSS rims, my response was why bother with CSS at all when normal rim is perfectly good.

You're clearly quite excited about rim vs disc brakes, and maybe for giga-chad touring that you do, rims just aren't good enough.

15,000KM is conservative. we did around that on a long tour with no discernible wear using Kool stop pads and Andra rims. Would happily do the same again. I would be disappointed if Ryde stop making these rims as they are excellent.

[mickeg]

In early 2013 when I ordered my Nomad Mk II frame and fork, I also ordered the CSS rims.  At that time SJS website said they were Rigida, but the ones shipped to me were labeled Ryde.

I would keep using them as long as you can, they should last forever as long as corrosion or breakage does not prematurely end their lifespan.