Rheicel is well known to XLR8. We’ve built a couple of pairs of hoops for him before. We know he appreciates quality, and loves the retro aesthetic. More recently he’s been building up a Titanium road bike, and wanted a set of super light, but reliable hoops.
Not being a heavy guy, we knew that the Velocity A23 rim would suit him well. In the right application it is stiff and strong enough, and is tubeless ready. Pricing is good, and they are pretty light as well.
Rheicel worked with XLR8 to select the right spokes to suit his target weight, and that we knew would work well with the beautiful polished White Industries T11 hubs (the natural choice for reliability and good looks).
We laced the front up with 20 Sapim CX-Rays in a traditional 2x pattern, with brass nipples. The 24 hole asymmetric rear was again laced 2x, but this time with CX-Rays on the non-drive side, and DT Competition double butted spokes on the drive side. The thicker spokes on the drive side help to keep the wheel stiffness as uniform as possible, and enhances reliability, at a very minor weight penalty (+17g). Brass nipples were again selected for reliability.
How light? Less than 2000g including rim tapes, tyres and tubes! That’s light.