garth

A friend of mine who I meet up weekly with at the track has a new Jamis Sonik. His wheelset supposedly weighs 1600 gms. His American Classic rims are listed at the same weight as my Mavic Open Pros and although he has less spokes I couldn't see how his rim set could weigh 400 grams less than the ones I built up. I have the standard high flange Formulas which I consider to be functional and maybe slightly heavy but when I checked the specs a pair of Formulas weigh 250 grams more than a pair of high flange American Classics. Now I know that weight in the hub is less important for a spin up than weight in the rim but how is it even possible to manufacture a hub which is so much lighter for a given function? Aluminum is aluminum and steel axles are steel axles ... could the American Classics be defying the basic rules of physics? These things actually weigh less than some vintage premium low flange hubs I have on my road bikes.

(note - I did reduce the weight of my wheelset almost 30 grams by cutting off the excess axle width that stuck out on either side of the rear track nuts but that still leaves his hubset weighing 220 grams less than a pair of Formulas),

Garth

bradenCBC

Is that claimed weight or actual weight on the AmClassic wheels. If it's claimed they probably left out all the hardware/nuts as well as the rim tape. It's pretty common for companies to leave out stuff like that when they weigh their product. Frame manufacturers do it all the time by leaving out the derailleur hanger, integrated headset cups, seat collar, and anything else (some times even weighing a frame prior to paint). The bottom line is don't worry about it. You have a solid functional wheelset that will most likely be completely trouble free while your friends is made by American Classic so it always has two strikes against it.
It might have alloy nipples too. That makes more difference than you would think.

idiq

The A/C track wheels do use alloy nipples... and while they save weight the longevity of the nipple can come into question.

What do you mean? I've heard of one or two horror stories, but no more than any other company...

bradenCBC

I have always found American Classic wheels to be on the finicky side, be it truing, bearing adjustment, or (in the case of geared wheels) the need for more attention given to the freehub. They are not awful but I would never own them myself.

operator

You get what you pay for with boutique (yes that's what AC's are) wheelsets that emphasize weight savings above all else. Who cares how much the hub cares anyways. If you were a weight weenie you'd be more concerened about weight where it really matters, namely the rim/tube/tire/rim tape area.

conor

there's a dude in boston who rides 'em 420s downtown. they apparently hold up for him. also: i've been hit while riding on 420s, the bike was sent catapulting, and the wheels came out alright.

just sayin'.

bradenCBC

Go buy lottery tickets. You seem to be lucky.