American Classic Wheels
11-15-07, 12:41 PM
#1
blissfullyIgnorant
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Monrovia
Posts: 168
Bikes: Mondonico, Ibis Mojo
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
American Classic Wheels
Anyone running these? I've heard good things about them. Looking at the Magnesium Clinchers or the 420s. No shops around me carry them though and I haven't run into anyone riding them. Any thoughts? Thanks.
11-15-07, 12:52 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Saint Louis, MO
Posts: 549
Bikes: Motobecane fixed conversion, Faggin fixed conversion, '86 Raleigh Grand Prix
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've never gotten to ride them, but the 420s sure are good-lookin'.
11-15-07, 01:25 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Socal
Posts: 4,318
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The Magnesiums have been #1 on my wish list for a long time. I mostly just climb, and not that interested in high speed descents, so the weight of the Mags is very appealing. However, I must admit that the overwhelming data supporting aero rim depths has me reconsidering.
11-15-07, 01:41 PM
#6
Rawwrrrrrrrrr!
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Clayton, NC
Posts: 2,730
Bikes: 2009 Specialized Ruby Sworks SL w/SRAM Red; 2006 Fuji Team RC; 2008 Felt F1x; 1980's Lotus Excelle; Mangusta FG/SS; Rossin (yet to be built up)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
i've had 420's since April, have put, prolly 2400mi on them with no problems. they descend like crazy!
11-15-07, 01:50 PM
#8
No cud for foil.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD and Montreal, QC
Posts: 1,001
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Last time I looked at their line I was glad to see that they don't mess around with any of the hidden-nipple third-flange double-threaded nonsense that all these companies are pushing today. I won't be riding a pair of pre-built wheels unless somebody's paying me to, but they are very nice.
11-15-07, 02:06 PM
#9
Erect member since 1953
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Antioch, CA (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 7,000
Bikes: Trek 520 Grando, Roubaix Expert, Motobecane Ti Century Elite turned commuter, Some old French thing gone fixie
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 121 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 38 Times
in
21 Posts
Over 2500 miles on my 420s , still true. Light weight for the money. Look cool.
Sometimes in big wind from the side I can feel that aero profile more than on my old "normal" wheels.
Sometimes in big wind from the side I can feel that aero profile more than on my old "normal" wheels.
11-15-07, 02:19 PM
#10
Chunky Programmer
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: BC
Posts: 1,329
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I've got about 3400 miles on mine (not including trainer duty), and they're awesome. Then again, I'm by no means a big guy. The only gripe I have with them is the super tiny braking surface - you don't get much room when aligning brake pads.
Edit: oh yeah, and the 19mm wrench required to adjust hub play. I had to special order the wrenches, as it's not a very common size.
Edit: oh yeah, and the 19mm wrench required to adjust hub play. I had to special order the wrenches, as it's not a very common size.
__________________
Burn the incline - V5
Burn the incline - V5
11-15-07, 04:42 PM
#12
Super Modest
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 23,466
Bikes: Trek Emonda, Giant Propel, Colnago V3, Co-Motion Supremo, ICE VTX WC
Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10963 Post(s)
Liked 4,619 Times
in
2,123 Posts
I've got 5200 miles on a set of 350s and 2000 miles on another set. No problems, except the first set got recalled for the slipping freehub thingie. I had it rebuilt even though I never had any problems with it.
__________________
Keep the chain tight!
11-15-07, 05:44 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Zion
Posts: 632
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 40 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times
in
9 Posts
Pez Cycling gave the 420s a thumbs-up.
https://pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=767
For the Magnesium, I believe he recommends the latest version. I can't find that link. Maybe someone else can?
https://pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=767
For the Magnesium, I believe he recommends the latest version. I can't find that link. Maybe someone else can?
11-15-07, 06:45 PM
#14
Carbon Fiber Bones
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 980
Bikes: '07 Scott Speedster S30
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have about 3000 mi on a set of 420s.
Awesome wheels. They been through hell, as I use them for all of my training and racing, and the roads around here are more cracks and potholes than smooth asphalt. No problems at all, except for the one that folded in half when i rode into the side of a car at 22 mph
Awesome wheels. They been through hell, as I use them for all of my training and racing, and the roads around here are more cracks and potholes than smooth asphalt. No problems at all, except for the one that folded in half when i rode into the side of a car at 22 mph
11-15-07, 06:55 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Socal
Posts: 4,318
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 31 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The 420s seem like a nice compromise -- a bit more aero, and a bit lighter, than my Zondas. Not enough of either, though, to warrant an upgrade. I feel like I need to get a more significant advantage in one of those areas before spending that kind of money. Of all the upgrade decisions, wheels seem to be the toughest!
11-15-07, 07:05 PM
#16
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,558
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1106 Post(s)
Liked 2,173 Times
in
1,464 Posts
The 420's are light and durable. The only slightly down side is the rim shape - they are deep with no roundness in their shape, which is less than ideal aerodynamically
11-15-07, 07:20 PM
#17
Carbon Fiber Bones
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Adelaide, Australia
Posts: 980
Bikes: '07 Scott Speedster S30
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
11-15-07, 07:45 PM
#18
Out of Commission
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,272
Bikes: Felt FC, S-Works Roubaix, Epic Comp, Cyfac Proxidium
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I only have two complaints about my 420s:
1. The cassette body seems softer than some of my other wheel sets, it's gotten pretty chewed up, and there's more play in the cassette than I would like.
2. The thin walls of the braking surface cause some pulsating on hard descents (45 - 55 mph mountain descents). I quit using them in the mountains.
Other than this, I think the 420's are a great all around wheel for the money, without going to a wheel builder.
1. The cassette body seems softer than some of my other wheel sets, it's gotten pretty chewed up, and there's more play in the cassette than I would like.
2. The thin walls of the braking surface cause some pulsating on hard descents (45 - 55 mph mountain descents). I quit using them in the mountains.
Other than this, I think the 420's are a great all around wheel for the money, without going to a wheel builder.
__________________
If you don't have anything nice to say about anybody, then come sit next to me.
If you don't have anything nice to say about anybody, then come sit next to me.
Last edited by OC Roadie; 11-15-07 at 08:01 PM.
11-15-07, 07:59 PM
#19
Señor Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 751
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
11-15-07, 09:04 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Red Bank, NJ
Posts: 217
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have Sprint 350s and love them. Have about 1500 miles on them so far. I weigh 195lbs and have not had any issues if that is a concern.
11-16-07, 12:54 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 103
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I run the 420s and 350s. Ridden over 15,000 miles combined the past 3 years with them. Never any real issues. The cassette body does get chewed up because I think it's aluminum. I haven't replaced mine, but those can be done easily and cheaply...
