Light-weight fixed gear wheel set

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Werdna
Posts: 91
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 3:45 am

by Werdna

Hey guys,
Just finished building my new wheels and glueing some tires, thought I might share with you!
I use the term light-weight "lightly" (pun intended)
They are fairly light for a budget set.
Specs;

Front wheel:
Velocity Escape Tubular rim 20h 385g (Claimed 390g)
American Classic Micro 58 20h hub (Decals Removed) 57g (Claimed 58g)
DT Swiss Champion 2.0/1.8/2.0 DB Black spokes
DT Swiss 12mm Alloy nipples

Rear wheel:
Velocity Escape Tubular Rim 24h 394g (Claimed 390g)
American Classic Track hub 24h (Decals removed) 186g (Claimed 180)
DT Swiss Champion 2.0/1.8/2.0 DB Black spokes
DT Swiss 12mm Alloy nipples

Total weight w/o QR and track bolts;
1323g

I was surprised at how straight these rims laced up keeping in mind that they are not very expensive.
I am moving from a ~1900 gram set of clinchers, so it took about 1.2 pounds of my total bike weight.
Tires are Vittoria Rally's, and they are actually much rounder and straighter than I expected.
This is my first set of tubulars, so before any comments are made about my tire choice (@fdegrove), I plan on installing some Vittoria CX's soon.
(Trust me, if I could afford Dugast tires I would ride them)
Tires glued with Vittoria Mastik’one.
Special thanks to fdegrove and all the others with the useful information in the glueing tubular thread.
:beerchug:
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by Weenie


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gilesharrison
Posts: 226
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:44 pm

by gilesharrison

Nice wheelset. I'm about to build up a set of those hubs into generic 20mm carbon tub rims for fixed gear road training.

What are the bolts like on the rear axle? I've only ever used normal track nuts. Are the bolts fairly long? My frame has thick track-ends so I need some width on them.

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Werdna
Posts: 91
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 3:45 am

by Werdna

I was actually surprised at how nice the rear track hub was. The bolts are fairly long, my Vigorelli doesn't have the thinnest track ends either so it should be just fine.
They are heavy though, if I remember correctly the two bolts with washers weighed 60g.
I am planning on moving these wheels to a bike with 130mm dropouts, and I would feel completely comfortable putting a 5mm spacer between the dropout and axle end to essentially respace the axle.
Just plan on taking an 8mm allen wrench with you!

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Werdna
Posts: 91
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 3:45 am

by Werdna

First ride today!
First impressions;
I could definitely feel the weight difference, and luckily felt no change in stiffness.
I have a feeling they would ride much better with nicer tubs (Evo CX's)
I'm coming from a 1900g wheelset with 46mm deep rims.

gilesharrison
Posts: 226
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:44 pm

by gilesharrison

That sounds good. I should get my rear hub in the next couple of days so I'll build it up and report back.

Not easy finding much info on the American Classic track hubs.

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Werdna
Posts: 91
Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 3:45 am

by Werdna

I had the same problem. Here are some of the specs that were hard to find;
Claimed weight is without bolts.
Complete with hardware it comes to about ~250g
The spoke holes are slotted on one side so you have to be careful to lace it with the spokes leading in the correct direction.
The logos are painted on and are easily removed with Jascos paint remover.
Bearings are easily replaceable and adjustable,(6803C3 Stainless Steel) and to be honest, they are not the highest quality. When they start to get rough you can replace them with some Phil's or Enduros.
The flanges are not directly centered in the hub. This means that technically one side's spokes need to be ~1mm longer. Personally, I felt that it wasn't necessary as there was plenty of nipple thread engagement.
So pay close attention when dishing the wheel.
The flanges are quite large, so lace with a 2cross pattern.
If you are pairing it with the Micro 58, you are in luck.
When laced Radial front and 2x d/nd rear, the spoke lengths will be the same for drive/non drive on both the front and rear wheels!
If you have any more questions, let me know.

gilesharrison
Posts: 226
Joined: Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:44 pm

by gilesharrison

Good info, thanks a lot for that.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

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