American Classic 420 rims - how much? and where from?

vermooten
vermooten Posts: 2,697
edited April 2008 in Workshop
Hi,

I'm curious to know how much American Classic 420 rims cost. They don't seem to be available for Joe Public to buy but I'm thinking about asking my fave wheelbuilder to makes somthing nice for me... It'd help if I had an idea in advance how much I'd be looking at.

The alternative rim is Zipp 417c, but they're $600 a pop.

Cheers,
Andy
You just have to ride like you never have to breathe again.

Manchester Wheelers

Comments

  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    I got mine from http://www.rouesartisanales.com 100 Euros each - he doesn't seem to list them anymore, but it's possible he could still get them. Alternative source is http://www.xx-light-bikes.de 119 or 126 Euros each - let me know if you're going to order from them, as I want to get hold of an 18 hole AC Micro front hub and they're the only source I've found, but the postage is a lot for just that.
  • vermooten
    vermooten Posts: 2,697
    Thanks once again aracer! If I buy like that I'll drop you a PM.

    Andy
    You just have to ride like you never have to breathe again.

    Manchester Wheelers
  • ademort
    ademort Posts: 1,924
    Hi if you send a mail to info@sws-cycling.be they have a complete set of wheels for €522 or £400 approx. Either Campag or shitmano and tubes or tyres. greetings Ademort
    ademort
    Chinarello, record and Mavic Cosmic Sl
    Gazelle Vuelta , veloce
    Giant Defy 4
    Mirage Columbus SL
    Batavus Ventura
  • ademort
    ademort Posts: 1,924
    Hi if you only want the rims they are also available at the same address for €67.50 each or £46 approx greetings Ademort
    ademort
    Chinarello, record and Mavic Cosmic Sl
    Gazelle Vuelta , veloce
    Giant Defy 4
    Mirage Columbus SL
    Batavus Ventura
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    That's a very good price - wish I'd heard of that before I got mine. Don't suppose they have an AC Micro 18 hole hub?
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    sorry for the dumb question but are the 420s a 42mm depth clincher rim?
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    No, 38mm depth. I think the 420 name is supposed to be a reference to the weight - though they're actually a bit porkier than that (mine were just under 470g). Not bad for that deep an alu clincher though.
  • ademort
    ademort Posts: 1,924
    According to their website,a pair of clincher wheels weigh 1460g.
    ademort
    Chinarello, record and Mavic Cosmic Sl
    Gazelle Vuelta , veloce
    Giant Defy 4
    Mirage Columbus SL
    Batavus Ventura
  • Cajun
    Cajun Posts: 1,048
    You owe it to yourself to view Dave's Speed Dream wheels... can't be beat: F&R: 1355gms. I have the 2000 version and they're still going strong... I think it's named Speed Dreams because no matter what the surface, it's like riding on a plush carpet...I prefer them over the Ksyriums on my other bike...
    http://www.speeddream.com/road.php
    Cajun
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    Cajun wrote:
    You owe it to yourself to view Dave's Speed Dream wheels.
    What exactly have they got to do with the deep section aero rims we're discussing here?
  • vermooten
    vermooten Posts: 2,697
    Cajun wrote:
    think it's named Speed Dreams because no matter what the surface, it's like riding on a plush carpet...
    Thanks for the link Cajun... not sure if I want to feel like I'm riding on a plush carpet, although my knackers might disagree with that.

    My wheels might well be:

    DT Swiss 190 hubs
    Sapim CX-Aero spokes
    AC 420 rims

    and I will ask Sir Paul Hewitt to fill in the blanks, like how many spokes. Maybe even wander up on Saturday to place the order...
    You just have to ride like you never have to breathe again.

    Manchester Wheelers
  • Cajun
    Cajun Posts: 1,048
    aracer wrote:
    Cajun wrote:
    You owe it to yourself to view Dave's Speed Dream wheels.
    What exactly have they got to do with the deep section aero rims we're discussing here?

    You are correct...the Speed Dreams aren't deep-dish, but are an excellent 'overall' wheel set for the price.
    Cajun
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    You can be assured of getting an excellent pair of wheels from Mr Hewitt vermooten. None better in my book.
  • ademort
    ademort Posts: 1,924
    American Classic 420 wheelset is also available at www.VeloHome.nl and the price is €329 OR £245, who needs Mr Hewitt.
    ademort
    Chinarello, record and Mavic Cosmic Sl
    Gazelle Vuelta , veloce
    Giant Defy 4
    Mirage Columbus SL
    Batavus Ventura
  • simbil1
    simbil1 Posts: 620
    What's the postage like from VeloHome?
    The ChainReaction price is £299, so postage might be an issue on cost.

    Just noticed on ChainReaction that an Australian reviewer complains of spokes braking under sprints. So building the rim with stronger spokes might be an idea.

    Does Paul Hewitt source rims himself? I'd be interested to hear what people plan to build the 420 rim up with as I have my eye on an aero wheel at some point this season.
    http://picasaweb.google.com/thefirstsimbil/Bikes
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    There are other deep alloy rims he could get. Few are as deep and light as the AC rim claims to be, but a Gipiemme Techno 716 or similar might do the trick.
  • vermooten
    vermooten Posts: 2,697
    ademort wrote:
    who needs Mr Hewitt.
    I do!

    Apart from being a lovely helpful chap, he knows things that I can never know. Don't forget that I don't want a factory-built wheelset!
    You just have to ride like you never have to breathe again.

    Manchester Wheelers
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    I got a pair of the AC420 wheels from Chain Reaction when they were in the sale at £220. Used them for couple of months now and my observation is that they aren't the stiffest - probably due to the low spoke count and narrow spoke flange distance - so big riders ought to steer clear. They do ride quite 'soft' in comparison to something like a Ksyrium. They still run nice and straight, so build quality is good as I don't ride the smoothest of roads.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • andyp
    andyp Posts: 10,550
    Vermooten - did you go for the wheels you were thinking of above, i.e. the American Classic rims, DT Swiss hubs and CX-ray spokes?

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