New wheelset: Farsports 23mm wide clinchers (38mm deep) @ 1330grams. Some quick iphone shots, but it's pretty much done for now. Total weight is just under 15lbs.

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps6d0dab1f.jpg
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w...ps56078ac6.jpg

Ditched the A23s for KinLin XC279s due to stiffness issues. I like them a lot.http://i.imgur.com/4h4Y7bG.jpg

Meh. ;)

Merckx = automatically hot

What do you guys think about replacing the tires with some gumwalls? Too busy?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=315059

I don't think that it would look too busy, I think that it would probably look pretty nice - the frame already has a bit of gold-ish accent color.

Gumwalls have their place, and can look amazing... but not on THAT race machine. To me, it would be like putting wide white walls on a current era Ferrari. (Looks great on a 1950's era car)

Love the bike, though. As is. Don't overthink it...

Where do we read your report on stiffness issues with A23? Inquiring minds want to know....

Normally I am a gum wall kinda guy. On this bike however, I think the gum walls would clash with the white spokes and the gold on the frame. It looks perfect as-is.

He's a big guy, so he upped the spoke count on these wheels, and used beefier spokes.

Nothing too interesting. Just nearly unrideable due to brake rub. Anytime I would get out of the saddle, climb (low power high torque), or sprint (high power low torque), pretty much any sort of effort, the rear rim would rub the brake on the downstroke. On fast turns, pulling some g forces, the front would rub as well, but not nearly as bad. The only way I could make them rideable during the period of trying to sell them was to have my rear caliper nearly open. The lever had to touch the bar in order to lock up the rear wheel. And even then, during big sprints I could get them to squeal, although they did shut up during climbing.

I'm 6', 200 pounds. The build was 24/28, 2x/3x, sapim lasers, alloy nipples, Novatec SL's. Tension was proper. They weighed in at 1468g, with skewers and plugs (and were cheap to boot). They were awesome wheels. I really wish they worked for me, but they just didn't. Not enough wheel for me.



The new build is great. Stiff as hell, absolutely no issues. 28/32, 2x/3x, lasers/races, alloy nipplles, KinLin XC-279s, with November branded midweight Novatecs. They weigh in at 1626g, so quite a bit heavier, but the bike is still under 15.5 pounds. I'm running them at 90/95 psi, and couldn't be happier. Next step will be tubeless.

Also, the machining quality, KinLin vs Velocity, (at least for XC279 vs A23) isn't even a contest. The KinLins practically built themselves they were so round. Pinned joint on the KinLin, but it doesn't really matter. There's zero brake pulsing, unlike my experience with the A23s. Seriously some of the nicest rims I've seen.


Funny tidbit about the November hubs: After I had finalized my rim choice, spoke/nipple choice, and lacing pattern, I was on the hunt for hubs. Stumbled on to the November site, and found them. Loved the red. The point of the story, my wheels are basically FSW23s, races in the rear instead of lasers, and all black. So if any of you guys want to try them, and aren't into wheelbuilding, you easily can.
FWIW, they also recently changed their FSW23s, from A23s to KinLins.


Now tell me my bike is hot.

do you do your own builds?

At the time I only had built track wheels (no dish), so I was uncomfortable building a road rear, so I had a shop build the A23s. I also had the rear rebuilt after smacking a 6 foot long 4x4 on a descent, but thats another story. They built back up fine. Straight as an arrow, no hops or dents, even tension, etc.

I now own a dish gauge, so I'm building all of my own wheels. I built the KinLins.

oh man, ever since I bought my bike back in September I've had my hear set on a set of Vuelta Corsa Lite road wheels from Nashbar at 1578g for the pair, to replace my dog heavy Mavic CXP22's that came OEM on the bike. They're only $250 for the set. But I'm 5'11 195, and the wheels are 20/24 spoke. After seeing your post I'm starting to worry they might flex too much under my weight. Whacha think?

Although the Vuelta Corsa Lites only have 24 spokes, the rim is rather deep and heavy, so that would increase overall wheel stiffness, as well as the rear hub geometry. The rear hub looks to have very wide and high flanges. The rear is only laced 2 cross, 3 cross would be a bit stiffer. A few of the reviews on nashbar mention that they aren't the stiffest wheels around. You'd probably be better off with a few more spokes, but I don't know for sure if you would have issues with the Vueltas.

Just my opinion.

Thanks, I did see several reviews from people around 190-200 lbs who also had no problems with them. Oh well, not like I'll be able to get them until probably next year's tax refund anyway. :p

I think it may be hot, but the photo makes the top half of the bike disappear into the background...

Ignoring my bento box (which has a white panel on the non-drive side with a small blue Timbuk2 swirl), what do you guys think of my steed?

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=315161

-Ed

Not much, unfortunately. Maybe it's fun to ride?

sorry, a not for me

The non-vertical tubes it's resting on are doing a number on my eyes as well.

Haha, you guys get a little squirly with the lack of a white garage door.

perhaps....

http://gc3.smugmug.com/Other/Bikes/i...an_times-L.jpg

Rental Bike
 

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...6&d=1368068228

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=315656

Be glad you don't own it.

That paint scheme is god awful.