Vuelta Corsa-Carbon Clinchers Pro Review - By Twain Mein

• Full carbon clincher rim
• 6mm “lowered” brake surface area to prevent heat build-up
• 20 spoke front, 24 spoke rear with triple-butted aero and stainless steel spokes, sealed cartridge bearings and “lubeable” cassette body.
• 50mm rim for aerodynamics
• Claimed: weight — Front: 703 grams, Rear: 958 grams, total 1661 grams
• Actual — Front: 740 grams, Rear: 990 grams. +69 grams.
• $1500 MSRP for the pair
• Includes cork brake pads and brake pad holders

I’m not that familiar with the Vuelta brand, but their website explains that they’ve been around since 1992. Their site further claims “it is no wonder that Vuelta continues its reign as the current UCI world hour record holder, and owner of the coveted title of World’s Fastest Wheels.” I didn’t really have much opinion on the company, but I was excited to test full carbon clinchers, as it seems that carbon clinchers is where great strides are being made in innovation.

Storck 69er Wheelset Pro Review - by Steve Cooper

• The Marcus Storck designed wheelset made by Zipp
• A perfect 69mm deep dish, dimpled, carbon rim, front and rear
• Designed and engineered to be faster than 404s and better in the wind than 808s
• Speed-Blue anodized Zipp hubs
• Available in 700c, tubular & clincher models
• Campy or Shimano
• Sapim CX Ray spokes
• 1369 grams
• MSRP $2,499

If RoadBikeReview had a “smack the carbon wheel skeptic upside his head” category; it’d be a perfect place to post this review. That said, I owe you a little explanation. When we first received these Storck 69er carbon wheels for review, I was very much in the “flat-earth/what-for” camp, but after lots of ride adventures, and identifying the wheels’ strengths and attributes, I’ve become a carbon wheel juggernaut, rolling speedily into a fast new world.

The Storck 69er is a unique beast; designed and licensed by Germany’s crown prince of carbon, Marcus Storck, and manufactured by 20 year carbon wheel veteran Zipp Speed Weaponry. The 69er is intended to be a practical, multi-use 700c carbon tubular wheel set, with a blend of an aero-profile and low-drag surface, a just-deep-enough rim section (69 mm deep, 21mm wide), weighing in at a reasonably light 1369 grams.

Rolling on custom anodized Zipp 82 front and 182 rear hubs, the 69er’s profile is midway between Zipp’s 404 and 808 offerings. Lighter and less susceptible to cross wind forces than the deeper 808, yet more aerodynamic than the 404, the 69er sits in that sweet middle spot, designed to be your primary high end wheel set for both road/crit racing and time trial use. You could even train on these wheels, but my cautious inner-Eyeore wants to reserve these wheels for race and TT day.

Zipp has never been shy about decals, nor has Storck. Put these two together with 69 millimeters of open space and you’ve got a rolling billboard opportunity for both companies. But frankly, if you’re prepared to drop the coin on a set of 69ers, you’ve earned the big, bold bragging rights. Looking beyond the screaming silver and blue graphics, you’ll find lovely ano-blue hubs with carbon dust caps, stainless bladed Sapim CX Ray spokes (18 front, 24 rear), securely clamped down by Zipp’s sleek and aero-slippery Ti skewers. No doubt about it, these wheels boldly telegraph their go-fast intent. Got the legs to back that up?

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Shimano Dura Ace Carbon Clincher Wheels for Bicycles

Units: About 275

Importer: Shimano American Corp., of Irving, Calif.

Manufacturer: Shimano Components SDN, of Johor, Malaysia

Hazard: Rim surface and spoke hole plugs on the wheel can cause a puncture to the inner tube, resulting in a flat tire. This can cause the rider to lose control and fall.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the Shimano Dura Ace Carbon Clincher Wheel Sets with model number WH-7850 C24CL sold for road racing bicycles. The rim has labels that read “Shimano WH-7850″, “Dura Ace”, and “Carbon 1380.” These wheels are intended for use with high end adult road racing bicycles.

Sold at: Bicycle specialty stores and dealers nationwide from April 2008 through August 2008 for about $1,300.

Manufactured in: Malaysia

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the bicycles with the recalled wheels, remove the wheels, and return them to their local bike dealer or retailer for a free inspection and repair.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Shimano American Corp. at (800) 353-4719 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s web site at bike.shimano.com

To see this recall on CPSC’s web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: