American Classic Victory Wheels

paul_or

I have just bought a pair of the above, and can recommend them to you for a first upgrade.

Read all about it here on my blog:

http://paulmor.wordpress.com/2009/07/11/an-american-classic/

fto-si

Nice upgrade.
Been meaning to get down to Elmy's to check out the 420 wheelset for my Orca.

paul_or

Thanks, they are well worth a visit, they've obviously invested in the new store.

DomPro

Certainly look like nice wheels.

Bit of a long shot; any idea if they're made in the USA?

paul_or

DomPro wrote:

Certainly look like nice wheels.

Bit of a long shot; any idea if they're made in the USA?

yes, they are a florida-based company, making high end mountain and road bike bits -

http://www.amclassic.com

the clue is in the name!

andyp

Being based in America and having components made in America are two very different things. The vast majority of cycling components are made in the far east these days, I don't know if American Classic are bucking that trend or not.

4kicks

From your blog:"and instead of ratchets in the drive they have a system of six over sized ‘pawls’ making for a very smooth ride."

Whats the difference between a ratchet and a pawl system?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pawl

DomPro

Had a read of their 'Company' page and theres nothing saying they are made in America which is always something a company advertises. So I can only assume they are made in the Far East. Not necessarily a bad thing though.

paul_or

4kicks wrote:

From your blog:"and instead of ratchets in the drive they have a system of six over sized ‘pawls’ making for a very smooth ride."

Whats the difference between a ratchet and a pawl system?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pawl

In this case, it is poor wording on my part that has caused the confusion!!! :oops:

What I should have said was that the ratchet system was improved by having oversized pawls, as you correctly point out that a pawl is part of a ratchet system. Blog text amended to suit - Sorry!!

BTW, just checked the box and indeed, American Classic do the design and R&D in Florida, and manufacture in Taiwan ROC.

paul_or

Some more info I have discovered on Bikeradar which may be of interest is located here:

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/first-look-american-classic-wheels-now-available-in-uk-22310

This page explains rather more elegantly than I have how the rear hub mechanism works, so i'll leave it to them to explain:

"The Six Pawl Cam Actuated Engagement System consists of six double-tipped pawls which engage in unison with 12 of the 24 ratchet teeth on the cassette when you stamp on the pedals. When coasting, these pawls retract for ultra-smooth freewheeling."

further details from the uk distributor here:

http://www.eurobike.uk.com/list.aspx?CAT=46

sadly for my bank balance I have notuiced that they also do rather nice lightweight seatposts......