Easton EC90 SLX Clincher Wheelset Pro Review - By Twain Mein

• Hand built, fully aluminum rim
• Sapim double butted and stainless steel spokes, 18 front radial, 24 rear radial/2-cross on drive side
• 20mm deep front, 24mm deep rear
• Weight: Front: 600 grams, Rear: 820 grams, total 1420 with rim strips. Estimated 1390 actual versus claimed weight of 1398 grams.
• Ceramic bearings with tool-less bearing preload adjustment
• Included quick releases skewers, 121 grams
• No rider weight limit
• $1000 msrp for the pair

A few years back, Easton bought a wheelmaker, Velomax. Velomax made some fantastic wheels, including what became the 2006 Easton Ascent II. They were highly regarded as being a great value in a superlight wheelset (1430 grams w/o rimstrips). Some folks complained that they were a bit flexy; I own a pair and they have been plenty stiff for me and the only issue I had was the need to replace the rear wheel bearings last year. Easton customer service was excellent and installation was a breeze.

Vuelta Corsa Super-Light Wheelset Pro Review by Twain Mein

• Light alloy rims at a competitive price point
• 20 spoke front, 24 spoke rear with triple-butted aero and stainless steel spokes, sealed cartridge bearings and “lubeable” cassette body.
• 27mm rim
• Claimed: weight — Front: 607 grams, Rear: 835 grams, 1442 total. Actual — Front: 650 grams, Rear: 870 grams, 1520 total, +78 grams (5.4%)
• $400 msrp for the pair

This is a follow up review to the Vuelta Corsa Carbon 50 clinchers.

These are impressive wheels, especially for the unbelievably reasonable price point of just $400 for the set, including quick release skewers. They feature the same “fast looking” red and black graphics and deliver on their promise.

The wheels feature 20/24 spoke rims with triple-butted stainless spokes, and the awesome “lubeable” cassette body. They also have the same excellent quick release levers featured in the Corsa Carbon 50 clinchers. And while not as light as the claimed 1442 grams (they came in at 1520), they are relatively light and very strong.

Often times with aluminum rims, you can see the seam and joint which is at the opposite side of the nipple hole. And, as you can see from the pictures, it was impossible to see the joint in the rim, compared to another competitor. This is a nice touch and hints at the fine finishing work.

Michael and Andy from Zipp Speed Weaponry talk about the development of the new 303 at the launch of the revised wheelset. The 303 is aiming to be your wheel of choice for harsh rides like Paris Roubaix, or you local cross race.

The new 303’s are available now through your local dealer.

detailed view of the new 303

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Flash-Point FP60 Wheel Set First Impressions - by Steve Cooper

• Shimano, SRAM or Campagnolo Compatibility
• Max. Brake Track Width Variation - .005″
• Recommended Max. Rider Weight - 225 lbs
• FP60 is also available in 650c for smaller riders
• MSRP - $1300

Speedway, Indiana. What a cool name for a town. Their most speedy attraction? The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Their second speediest? Carbon bicycle wheels from Zipp Speed Weaponry. Flash-Point wheels are hand-built by Zipp, right there in small town Speedway; the FP60 clincher is a tasty slice of carbon wheel technology at a blue-plate special price. With the wheel set just arriving yesterday, they’ve only had to smile pretty for the camera. Give me time to roll around on them and I’ll report back with their long-term road manners.

First impression?
The FP60s are attractive. From the large, but subtle colored metallic decals on the toroidal carbon profile to the hubs’ muted silver ano finish, these are handsome wheels. The FP60 profile looks to be very practical, with a good balance of aerodynamic properties, road durability, and a reputation for a comfortable ride.

Vancouver, WA - Protech Composites has put the finishing touches on its new carbon fiber clincher rim for road bikes and they are now ready for sale. With over two years of careful design, engineering, and testing, along with some tough riding, assure that the R.30 Full Carbon Fiber Clincher Rim is ready for the most demanding cyclist.

Employing innovative manufacturing techniques, Protech Composites is able to offer these rims at only $349 retail. Optimization of the production process, and not substandard materials or design, allows Protech Composites to offer these rims at such a competitive price. Protech Composites General Manager, Chris Bailey said “ Our carbon fiber rims are second to none in terms price and quality. We are proud to offer such an outstanding product designed and manufactured right here in the U.S.”

Dealers or consumers interested in a set of your own please contact Protech Composites at (360) 573-7800 or via their website www.protechcomposites.com

Protech Composites is a Vancouver Washington based composites company that produces high quality carbon fiber products. Founded and operated by a couple of Aerospace Engineers well versed in Aerospace composite design and fabrication, Protech Composites brings a wealth of experience to carbon fiber composite product fabrication.

Ultegra SL Wheelset Review by Gary Lee

Shimano Ultegra SL WH-6600G

• 24mm 6061 Aluminum rims
• Offset rear rim increases rear wheel rigidity
• Bladed & butted spokes, 16 front/20 rear
• Oversized hub and axle
• Ice Grey in color
• 10-speed compatible only
• Weight – 1,680g (pair)
• MSRP - $530

The Ultegra gruppo is more than adequate for the weekend warrior or even a serious racer. The price range is attractive and you don’t lost that much to the higher end Dura-Ace gruppo. Ultegra users over the years have benefited greatly from the trickle down technology of the Dura-Ace DNA, with its smooth, short throws, and light weight characteristics.

This is very true of the new Ultegra SL wheelset in the stealthy Ice Grey color option. The wheelset is decently light, affordable, and due to the new rim profile and spoke nipple design is stronger and stiffer than the previous Ultegra models.

One concern voiced to me during a group ride was the lack of lateral stiffness with the older Ultegra wheelsets. According to him during hard cornering the spokes on the earlier generation models would flex to the point that his wheel magnet would make contact with the sensor and he’d hear the clicking it made when it rotated. Obviously a bit un-nerving when you’re at speed on a tight turn bunched in a group!

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Edge Composites of Ogden, Utah is an up and coming force within the Carbon world. Comprised of engineering talent that left Reynolds and Lew respectively to start their own company. The end result, Edge Composites, a full service manufacturing company encompassing a myriad of industries including, automotive, aviation, recreational, and medical fields. We recently talked with Jason Schiers about his most recent fork and wheel offerings.