American Classic 420 Aero 3 wheelset

sgt822
sgt822 Posts: 51
edited March 2011 in Road buying advice
HI,

Anyone actually any experience of riding these? Bikeradar site gives em 3 stars yet C+ rates them 9/10.

For £500 notes are they gonna be a big improvement on my Mavic Aksiums and are they going to handle my 90kg weight?

Any owners out there can offer some tried and tested real evidence of if they are any good or not?

Comments

  • rsturbo
    rsturbo Posts: 109
    Hi mate,

    I have a set I use on my summer bike for racing and training.
    They are superb, lite, aero and look superb as well as stiff.
    I weigh 85kg and am more of a sprinter and love them.

    Had a set of zipp 404 clinchers which had serious spoke problems so replaced with these and I prefer them. No problems.
  • sgt822
    sgt822 Posts: 51
    Just what I wanted to hear! Thanks fella.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    I have a pair of the Mk2 AC420s - very aero and pretty light - not the stiffest laterally but apparently resolved with the new spoking pattern on the Mk3 version. I don't understand why people ride around on expensive, fragile carbon wheels when something like these are more than adequate for most people's needs.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • rowings MTP
    rowings MTP Posts: 31
    Hey, hope you don't mind me piggy backing on your thread but I've been looking at getting a pair aswell.

    After some digging their stated max rider weight is 107kg.

    Was told yesterday that they suffer from 'flex' due to the narrow spacing of the hub flanges - would be interested to hear what other bigger users have found???? Admitedly this was by a shop trying to sell me a set of Kyrsium Elites though.

    I'm 100kg and narrowed choice down to EA90SL's, Kyrsium Elites and the AC 420's.

    Any further coment would be really appreciated
  • MrIP
    MrIP Posts: 91
    Hi rowings MTP

    I have these wheels and I'm 93 Kg, I have got them to flex slightly standing on the pedals on an 18% hill but normal riding including the Rutland spotive with lots of hills they where ok. From what I heard in my research the EA 90SLs are worse !

    I hope this helps

    Mrip
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    From what I heard in my research the EA 90SLs are worse !

    Well what do you expect, Easton wouldn't make deeper-rimmed TT wheels if the "superlights" didn't flex under anything more than Andy Schleck weight :roll:

    I was looking at the AC range as my first set of G3 Campag wheels got totalled over a large pothole last winter and the mechanic who looked at them said that the G3 spoke pattern made the rim more vulnerable to big hits. So I've replaced them with some FSA wheels and was thinking of maybe the Victory 30's to replace the Campag Zonda's. They seem very well priced at £350, they're £150 less that the 420's, so more than enough to buy a tri suit AND some light tyres AND have some cash left over :idea:
  • mallorcajeff
    mallorcajeff Posts: 1,489
    ive no connection but a friend of mine bought a set 4 weeks ago from his LBS (where i used to live) and he was doing them cheaper than anywhere on the net and offered me a set but I wasnt in the uK long enough to benefit. I think he had 430s for 400 quid but if you call les cycles in canvey island top shop basic webpage but great shop. ask les for a price he will prob have some sets left. worth a phone call but be quick.
  • rowings MTP
    rowings MTP Posts: 31
    Thanks for the input all.

    My heart is saying AC's, my head the Mavics. :?
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    PianoMan wrote:
    From what I heard in my research the EA 90SLs are worse !

    Well what do you expect, Easton wouldn't make deeper-rimmed TT wheels if the "superlights" didn't flex under anything more than Andy Schleck weight :roll:

    I was looking at the AC range as my first set of G3 Campag wheels got totalled over a large pothole last winter and the mechanic who looked at them said that the G3 spoke pattern made the rim more vulnerable to big hits. So I've replaced them with some FSA wheels and was thinking of maybe the Victory 30's to replace the Campag Zonda's. They seem very well priced at £350, they're £150 less that the 420's, so more than enough to buy a tri suit AND some light tyres AND have some cash left over :idea:

    Most likely the pothole would have taken out any wheelset. No offence to the mechanic but frankly he doesn't know what he's talking about. there are tens of thousands of G3 spoked wheels in use - have been on sale for yeas now - and they have an excellent reliability record. Though they are not indestructible for sure.

    AC wheels are IME less robust though they have improved. The new wheels are really nice and pretty aero if not the stiffest in the world.
  • sgt822
    sgt822 Posts: 51
    I agree. My heart wants the 420's but my head is saying get the Elite's for durability purposes. BUt I just can;t ignore the bling factor of the 420's
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    Are you riding Campagnolo, Shimano or SRAM?

    If the former, I'd consider neutron/ultras, shamals and Fulcrum Racing 3 /Zeros if you can get a deal.

    If shimano or SRAM then the shimano wheels are good. Also consider Fulcrum.

    Mavic I'm less a fan off. So-so hubs IME.
  • sgt822
    sgt822 Posts: 51
    I'm riding a 2011 Scott CR1 Team. Shimano 105 throughout (11-28 on the back). I live in the Lake District so most of my riding involves big climbs, so need a wheel thats laterally stiff and yet light enough to get my 90kg frame up a 25%+ slope. My ride came with Aksiums which are doing a great job but I can finally justify an upgrade finacially so want the best bang for my £500.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Given your weight of 90kgs, I'd go for some handbuilts from either Wheelsmith or Paul Hewitt e.g. IRD Cadence on 32 hole hubs
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    The American Classic Hurricane wheels got a great review here recently - low profile rims for climbing, lots of spokes and all under 1600g. Might be worth checking them out. Oh, and get something like Panaracer Race Type L's
    Most likely the pothole would have taken out any wheelset. No offence to the mechanic but frankly he doesn't know what he's talking about. there are tens of thousands of G3 spoked wheels in use - have been on sale for yeas now - and they have an excellent reliability record. Though they are not indestructible for sure.

    Well I've now got some wheels from FSA, who I know have a somewhat mixed reputation, but they've been fine despite a couple of bedding in issues to start with and they have a more traditional spoke pattern. I suppose tripled/paired spokes are more aerodynamic for racing purposes, right?
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    Well, campag have some marketing balls about the G3 pattern, but AFAIK that's all it is. They are perfectly happy to make Fulcrum with non G3.

    What is more important is the specification of components and quality of build, which for Campag wheels is generally very good.
  • rowings MTP
    rowings MTP Posts: 31
    For me personally the 420's are just the best looking wheel at that price point and I struggle to get beyond that.

    Lots of people have recomended handbuilts but I love the styling of some of the factory wheels as opposed to the traditional look of handbuilts. It probably would be the most sensible route but I've never been sensible. For many, £500 on a set of wheels is small change but its a big investment for me. I want to see them on my bike and be excited to go ride it, not be reminded of the pram gathering dust in my parents garage.

    Have looked at the Fulcrums and they are a nice option but still stuck between the Mavics and the AC's. I think the Kyrsium Elites look pretty smart with the machined rims but I think if I don't get the 420's I'll see others and wish I had. Think I'm getting close to a decission...
  • sgt822
    sgt822 Posts: 51
    For me personally the 420's are just the best looking wheel at that price point and I struggle to get beyond that.

    Lots of people have recomended handbuilts but I love the styling of some of the factory wheels as opposed to the traditional look of handbuilts. It probably would be the most sensible route but I've never been sensible. For many, £500 on a set of wheels is small change but its a big investment for me. I want to see them on my bike and be excited to go ride it, not be reminded of the pram gathering dust in my parents garage.

    Have looked at the Fulcrums and they are a nice option but still stuck between the Mavics and the AC's. I think the Kyrsium Elites look pretty smart with the machined rims but I think if I don't get the 420's I'll see others and wish I had. Think I'm getting close to a decision

    That sums up my feelings exactly. Guess I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed that they are laterally stiff enough to take my weight
  • Strada Wheels
    Strada Wheels Posts: 38
    Exactly how heavy are you sgt822?
    Strada Hand Built Wheels
    www.stradawheels.co.uk
  • sgt822
    sgt822 Posts: 51
    Exactly how heavy are you sgt822?

    196lb at present. Although fighting weight around 190lb
  • Giovanni2106
    Giovanni2106 Posts: 2
    I bought my 420aero3's as an upgrade with my Kuota Kharma. I spent a lot of time discussing wheels with twenty3c in Milton Keynes and settled on the AC's having been given a balanced view of a number of options so, no hard sell!

    I have no issues at all with the wheels having used them for the usual training runs and, they have managed to carry 105kg around the Tour of the Peaks last year.

    They look great and handle well. Recommended!
  • sgt822
    sgt822 Posts: 51
    Day of reckoning approaches, I'm ordering my new wheels on the 21st March. Its a toss up between the 420's and Kyrsium Elites. I think its gonna be the 420s
  • rowings MTP
    rowings MTP Posts: 31
    I bottled it and went for the Mavics, pick them up tomorrow so fingers crossed won't regret it!!

    Figured it would be a better all round option after chatting to couple of owners and LBS selling both who all mentioned them flexing.

    Good luck with yours!

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