Road Cycling - American Classic Sprint 350 Wheelset

I know lightweight wheelsets have been discussed many times on this forum and I did a search on this particular wheelset but the information was for men who weigh a lot more than me.

American Classic has come out with a 650c Sprint 350 wheelset and I guess I'm a sucker for marketing that advertises it was designed for "riders with small woman's bike" but I weigh in at 105 lbs and the rep from American Classic indicated I can take a pound off my bike from the Mavic Open Pros and Campy Record Hubs I'm currently using. The LBS I'm dealing with was very positive about American Classic products and thought they were good wheels for me. The mechanic at my LBS built my Mavic Open Pros and is a reputable mechanic and wheel builder in this area. However, a friend claims that American Classic wheels are terrible and I will have nothing but problems. I'm relying on the expertise of my LBS, however, not my friend. My LBS knows how little I stress components and is confident these wheels will work for me.

How harsh is the ride on the Sprint 350's? BTW, I'm planning on getting the Sapim CXRay spokes.

I ride an Aegis CF frame with Campy Record components so the only place I can shed weight is my wheels. I'm also a spinner, not a masher. The salesman said the wheelset would climb better and accelerate faster. Also, how easy is it to true or replace these spokes in case I'm out of town and dependant on an LBS I don't know? In all my years of riding I've not broken a spoke and the OP's I'm currently riding have not needed truing but I guess broken spokes or out of true wheels can still can happen, even with me.

My other option is to have the LBS build my wheels but that means down time for my bike. Any thoughts on a good wheelset for me?

Kathi

I've heard nothing bad about the rims or spokes, but I have heard quite a few stories about poor quality American Classic hubs. The spokes should be easily replacable (don't think you even need to use the CXRay's if they're not available). I don't stress components much either, but I'd still be pretty wary about the hubs.

I also was looking @ American Classic, even after reading some negative comments regarding their quality. Then, I went to the LBS, and the owner showed me a brand new AC wheelset that was out of round, AND had a defect in the rim - straight from the factory.

Your mileage may vary, but that was enough to persuade me to go with another brand.

I owned an American Classic wheelset (530) years ago, and I was pleased with them. I raced probably most of 3 seasons of road racing on them and I had no problems with the hubs. They didn't seem to be the smoothest out there, but still fine and this wheelset was from about 1997 so I would hope they have improved since then.

I also experienced American Classic's customer service, as I destroyed both rims from crashes and had to get them both replaced on separate occasions. I got new rims and spokes and they used the same hubs. Whatever I paid it was a good price and significantly cheaper than a new wheel. This was obviously not a warranty issue die to the crashes.

I decided to take my chances with the hubs and ordered the Sprint 350's. I finally got them (hurricane Charley slowed down the delivery). I was supposed to get black hubs but they were out and because of the delay they gave me the silver hubs (upgrade) for the same price. I also got Sapim CXRay spokes.

I rode them for the first time today, they are awesome. So much lighter than my Open Pro's, they climb faster, I don't feel the wind resistance like I did on the Open Pro's and they definitely accelerate a lot faster.

I was worried the wheels would be too stiff and I would feel the road a lot more but they asorb road shock much better than the Open Pro's.

One of the reasons I chose the Sprint's was because I didn't like the selections available for 650c wheels.

As long as the hubs hold up, I will be a happy camper with this wheelset.

Kathi

I think you will like those wheels. You only weigh 105, so your right, your not going to beat up your rims like a normal person. And I bet those wheels are designed for at least 165 pound person-that's the average weight of most racers.

Thanks Froze,

The LBS I bought them from says he really likes them too because they are so easy to true and easy to get spokes.

Kathi