Anna needed another pair of wheels, specifically for Criterium racing. Her requests were, light, stiff and wide. Alloy was preferred, to keep cost down.
We started with the Kinlin XC-279 road rim as the basis for this wheelset. These rims are 29mm deep, and 23mm wide. The profile indicates that tubeless will work well for CX use (ie lower pressures), and the weight is reasonable at average 484g. But the real bonus is the stiffness of the rim. We suspect it’s a width to depth ratio “sweetspot” as these rims build up incredibly stiff. No, like really really incredibly stiff!
These hoops will be bombproof!
Top of the range Novatec hubs are a favourite here at XLR8 – they are strong, light, inexpensive, and easily serviceable (parts are easy to get as well). In fact, they weigh less than most of the “bling” hubs, the flange geometry is smart, and it’s only the finish that one could criticize (and even then, you’d be splitting hairs).
As an added bonus, the rear 11s freehub has a steel insert (the “Anti Bite Guard”), to ensure that the splines do not gouge – the main issue to be found with lightweight Taiwanese hubs. Good thinking, with a negligible increase in weight.
As usual, Sapim Race spokes were used, to ensure stiffness and reliability, laced radial on the front, and 2x on the rear. The front wheel is 20 hole, and the rear 24 hole.
Brass nipples are used on the rear, and alloy on the front, to save some grams.
All up weight, 1620g. Without expensive lightweight spokes that compromise stiffness and reliability, and using high quality components.
Not bad for a quality handbuilt wheelset priced to compete with Wiggle and Chain Reaction.