Product Review: Weinmann DP18 vs Velocity Aerohead

I'm building my first fixed and I'm split between these two. I've read some reviews on both of them but they were mixed. I figured this would be a good way to help me choose.


By the way

I'm not firm with these brands, I'm just a n00b and I'm not knowledgeable with what's good and bad so if anyone has a suggestion I'd gladly take it into consideration.

Yeah, DP18's and Aeroheads are 2 different genres

My dad has a set of aeroheads on his cyclocross bike and they seem to be holding up fine after about 2 years.

I'm really unimpressed with the DP-18. It's very heavy, not overwhelmingly attractive (raised braking surface), ungrommeted and sloppily drilled holes, and therefore not particularly easy to build up. It is, however, very very cheap. I'll probably build front one to match the one I built up with a Sturmey Archer, cuz why not, but that's more because I'm just following through on decisions I've already made.

I think the [Alex DA-22](http://velospec.com/components/alexrims/da22) is quite nice, on the other hand. It's not just a deep V clone, with its rounded cross section. It's light as deep rims go, it's got grommeted holes, and it gave me no guff when I built it up. I think they only come in black and I don't know how hard it would be to mask the braking surface if you had it powder coated or annoed.

Posted By: Joshua A.C. NewmanI'm really unimpressed with the DP-18. It's very heavy, not overwhelmingly attractive (raised braking surface), ungrommeted and sloppily drilled holes, and therefore not particularly easy to build up. It is, however, very very cheap. I'll probably build front one to match the one I built up with a Sturmey Archer, cuz why not, but that's more because I'm just following through on decisions I've already made.

I think the [Alex DA-22](http://velospec.com/components/alexrims/da22) is quite nice, on the other hand. It's not just a deep V clone, with its rounded cross section. It's light as deep rims go, it's got grommeted holes, and it gave me no guff when I built it up. I think they only come in black and I don't know how hard it would be to mask the braking surface if you had it powder coated or annoed.

The price is definitely a factor with why I'd go with the dp-18's, how much do the da-22's go for?

Posted By: wes m.

Posted By: M0THER

Posted By: wes m.I'd say that a dp-18 is more comparable to a deep v than an aerohead so the question would be how deep do you need your rim to be. How big are you, how much do you abuse your wheels?

I have had deep-vs and dp-18s and they seemed identical in terms of durability. I havent owned aeroheads but I hear good reviews. I'd say get aeroheads unless you need a really really tough wheel. They are basically trimmed down deep-vs.

I figured if I had to choose between dp-18's or deep v's I'd get the dp-18 so I threw that out the window. I weigh 115 and as to abuse, I'd only do some skids now and then but the roads I typically ride on are pretty harsh

At 115lbs I wouldnt even bother with a really deep rim. Aeroheads would be as deep/heavy as you would ever need.

Thanks, I'll probably drop any deep rims from the list.

Posted By: the fumingatoromg like my dad has DA22's on his Mercier

that made me laugh...

i donno lol. he doesnt have much to compare them with. they're black and have silly decals on them that should be taken off. i wonder if they come in different colors...

lol dude chill out. we're just joking around, she's talking to me. thanks for contributing though.

Posted By: the fumingatorwe're just joking around

its all fun and games until someone puts their eye out.

hm. do the aeroheads come in the color you want? I've never seen any before.

Posted By: firebushAeroheads FOR SURE!

I have black aeroheads laced on some black phil hubs i just bought, such a nice combo.

The DP 18's are heavy as hell i think. Deep V's, typical as they are now, are a great rim though.

But Aeroheads are lighter than both those, and personally i think they look great.


...they come in a wide range of colors too.

Gracias! I think I might go with the Aeroheads.

Does anyone know if it would be cheaper to just get them from Australia? My sister is going to Melbourne in a few weeks

Posted By: Joshua A.C. NewmanMaybe you want to look at the Fusion, too?

I've been curious about Fusions, too. They appear to be a little more rugged than the Aeroheads, but less heavy than the Deep Vs (since they're at the midpoint between them, depthwise). I get into these internal debates since I'm around 170 lb, which is near the edge of weight restrictions for a lot of bike stuff like featherweight rims, Ti axles/spindles and Ti skewers. Also, there's a lot of beat-up road surface on my routes.

That said: I have one wheelset with Aeroheads, and they seem to hold up fine.

For quality, weight and looks, go with the Aerohead.