Wheels of the Week

Actually two pair, as they couldn't be split, kind of non identical twins.

Both used Dutch M5 hubs, fitted with Phil Wood and Co bearings. Front hub is the SP version, with the flanged rear. Why? The rear SP version isn't available yet (plus read further), and while both M5 front hubs share the same weight limit (there isn't one), the SP version just looks more robust, and the top hat inserts to carry the spoke heads has a lot more material behind it. We have never heard of problems with either, but prefer to err on the side of caution. Corporate preference is towards straight pull spokes also on front wheels due to the way the stresses work, so that's another reason. It's cleaner and stiffer. Rear hubs undergo different dynamic stresses, so the way a flanged hub works is actually an advantage here. We tested this using a mixture of machinery and on the bike use, and have found the results to be consistent. The difference is small however, and wouldn't prevent us building SP rear hubs under certain conditions.

Spokes are Sapim CX-Ray. They are nice spokes, available in SP form for the front from stock, and work well with the M5 hubs (no surprise, as they come from just over the border in Belgium). Nipples are 3/16" internal aluminum.

Rims on set #1 are KinLin XR-200, their 22mm deep box section Niobium alloy model. We have these drilled for internal nipples especially for this wheelset.

Rims on set #2 are KinLin XR-270, their 27mm deep aero section Niobium alloy model. Again drilled for internal nipples, they are a rim we use a lot of.

Weight for set #1 with 24/28 spokes is 1246gm/pr. Lighter than many carbon options of "climbing" style carbon rim clinchers without the high cost associated with carbon rims.

Weight for set #2 with 20/24 spokes is 1350gm/pr. These are a great "do anything" road wheelset. Century rides, racing, even Cross. They have some aerodynamic advantage without the weight penalties normally associated in mid-deep section clincher wheels, and aren't a problem to handle in cross winds.

Both sets get our vote for contenders as wheels of the year...

Wheels of the Day

Pretty much every day there are wheels being built (yeah, that's a duh!). The most interesting set in my view will be posted here.

Today it's going to be a set of EDGE Composites 1.0 38mm Carbon Rims, using Sapim CX-Ray straight pull Spokes to mate them with Extralite SP/SPM Hubs. They are for a sales rep, and I figure something eye opening light will get people's attention when he hands them to store owners. The last set of these I built was 976gm. With ceramic bearings and selecting the lightest rims, I'm hoping these will be below 950gm.

Well a final weight of 954gm was pretty good. Considering these will retail for around $2,800, it would take an extra $1-2,000 to get a lower weight setup from Lightweight or Lew! When the rims are in more regular production, it should be possible to Cherry Pick a lighter set for a build than this. The new 25mm rims when made would also offer the potential for something under 900gm!