I am still looking for a replacement of my bike’s back rim. As you know, I am currently using a 26” Rigida Explorer rim, which replaced my Mavic Extreme 721. At the moment the new one seems to be ok, but every time I use my back V-brakes they make a real loud creaking noise. Loud enough to wake up the people down under. I tried adjusting the brakes but to no avail.

Well, in the mean time my bike shop inquired about a new ceramic rim from Mavic. And sadly, they only can get one with holes for 32 spokes from Mavic, and not with holes for 36 spokes anymore. I trust the 36 spoke version more for long loaded touring (heavy loaded duty = bike with lots of luggage and myself).

So I checked out the 2009 version of the Koga Miyata Worldtraveller, to see what kind of brakes and rims they now use. And voilà: obviously no ceramic rims anymore. But they don’t use Mavic ones, instead they look like a “homebrew”: Koga KM21-559 XStrong alloy - double wall and double eyeletted 36 holes rims, durable finished and in black colour. I will ask my bike shop to get a quote for a set and if my wallet allows, I might try that one as a replacement for my Mavic rims.