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Image courtesy of Mavic |
The news about a carbon rimmed Mavic wheel set for gravel was released last Monday. Called the ALLROAD SL Carbon, this wheel set has a 25mm internal rim width and a 42mm deep rim profile. Featuring 24 aero, double butted spokes with a 2X lacing pattern on aluminum Mavic hubs, this wheel set weighs a claimed 1,550 grams.
The rims feature a hookless design. They are built to Mavic's UST dimensions. Mavic claims these rims are compatible with tire widths from 30mm - 64mm in width. (64mm is approximately equivalent to a 2.5" wide tire)
The hubs are 100mm/142mm through axle front/rear.. The wheels can be ordered with a SRAM XDR or Shimano HG freehub. The wheel set retails for $1,889.00USD.
Comments: This is a difficult wheel set to make sense out of for myself. I've no issues with much of the specifications, and Mavic makes a fine product. However; hookless design - as stated here before - seems like an unnecessary feature which has shown risks in usage. Then you have the price. It seems a bit dear when you can pick up similar wheels for less or spend about the same and get lighter wheels. (Based upon research done on offerings by Specialized/Roval and Trek/Bontrager)
Original image courtesy of Gary Fisher |
So, What About This 32"er Nonsense?
I've been curious about all the 32" wheel news coming out and I've not seen any real, rational takes on this wheel size until recently. And I was not surprised to find the source for this clear-minded take. It was from Mike Curiak, of course.
Mike is perhaps the quintessential "thinkerer" when it comes to bicycle tech and especially design and tech outside of current thinking. 32 inch wheels certainly qualifies as such a thing. Mike, unsurprisingly, has been testing 32" wheels on a Lenz full suspension bike.
If you have any curiosity for this subject, you might want to head on over to Mike's blog and check it out HERE.
In other 32"er news, Zinn Cycles is showing a 32" full suspension mountain bike designed for taller folks. Zinn has been in the business of making bicycles and components for taller folks for quite some time, so this comes as no surprise. Many would probably guess that 32"ers would most likely work best for people over 6 foot in height.
However; it is also interesting to note Mike Curiak is right around six feet, and he rides a Medium sized bike. So, reading what he had to say maybe will change your mind if you are one to think this 32 inch nonsense is only for taller riders. I know I am rethinking this a bit.
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Image courtesy of SILCA |
News came out on Tuesday from SILCA on their newest product. They now offer TPU tubes which feature mechanically connected, threaded aluminum valve stems with a traditional Presta Valve nut to affix the stem to a rim more securely. (Or you can leave the nut off, it is an option.)
SILCA is sourcing these TPU tubes from Germany and they are made from dye-free TPU material. The site for the tubes on SILCA's page does not indicate whether or not the valve core is removable.
SILCA offers two sizes in these TPU tubes with ranges of 24mm - 43mm. or 44mm - 64mm for tire width. The narrower tubes come in either a 50mm or 70mm length valve stem. The wider TPU tube only comes in a 50mm long valve. Each tube comes with an alcohol wipe and TPU patch. Tubes sell for $39.00 each USD.
Comments: I like the valve stem design except for the core. SILCA doesn't say if it is removable or no, but looking at their image on the TPU page, I'd guess it is not removable. This isn't a deal-breaker, but as long as you are doing an aluminum valve there seems to be no reason not to offer a removable core.
These are still kind of pricey, but as a reliable back-up for a tubeless set up, carrying around a tube which weighs far less than 100 grams seems pretty appealing. If you have bought into TPU tubes, this offering seems better than much of what the competition is offering mainly based upon the valve stem design.
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Image courtesy of Wolf Tooth Components |
Wolf Tooth Components Pedals:
Last week this news came out, but it was too late to make the FN&V. But we did talk about these on the latest "Guitar Ted Podcast". Wolf Tooth has a three pedal range called "CTRL", "ALT", and "DEL", which represent computer keyboard keys. In Wolf Tooth's pedal line, "CTRL" is their trail pedal. "ALT" is their take on a standard SPD pedal. Finally, "DEL" is a stripped back clipless pedal with one side entry and the lightest weight of the range at just a bit over 200 grams a pair.
All three are machined and assembled in Wolf Tooth's facility in Minnesota. The range also all cost the same at $219.00 USD each. The pedals all can be ordered in black or purple. Wolf Tooth claims the range provides the rider with a better pedaling platform and a closer shoe-to-pedal interface than the competition. Finally, the "Q" factor of these pedals is adjustable.
Comments: N.Y. Roll ordered the ALT (Actually it is the DEL he ordered) model for his girlfriend, Morgan. Hopefully I can get a ride report once she has used them a bit. Of all the various SPD-clone type pedals in existence, the Wolf Tooth offerings do promise a little something different. Now it will all hinge upon whether or not these can have a reasonable lifespan in comparison to Shimano SPD pedals which are nearly bombproof.
That is a wrap for this week! Thanks for reading Guitar Ted Productions and get out there and ride those bicycles!