So I’ve been looking around for new wheels for my road bike. Performance aside, when it comes to aesthetics, I love the deep dish carbon rim that’s all black from tire to wheel. To me, the shiny silver aluminum braking surface of a clincher cheapens the look of the wheel. However, practically speaking, at least for me, it doesn’t make sense to get an everyday wheel that is a tubular. I would simply worry about a flat too much.
So the question or idea is: Does anyone make or has anyone seen a clincher wheel with a blackened alumnium braking surface so that it offers the same look as a full carbon wheel? I think a carbon clincher comes the closest, but that is ruled out because I’m a little worried about all of the downsides that people report about safety, blowouts and damage to the braking surface if braking too hard. I would think this could be done just by anodizing the braking surface with black paint. Then again, this may affect the braking capabilities of the wheel.
Anodizing is different than paint. Anyway either paint or anodizing would wear off rather quickly. If you want the all black look you need to go tubular or disc brake.
Yeah, I guess I could do that, but I guess that’s why I’m riding a cervelo rather than a Schwin from Target. It matters to me how it rides and looks. I guess that’s also the reason I have a saab rather than a civic. I mean, both could get me from A to B, but I really enjoy taking pride in the performance and appearance of my car. I guess that’s also why I have a pretty wife. I mean, call me silly, but appearance matters to me.
If you go back in time 15-20 years, Mavic anodized rims (MA40 clincher, GP4, GL330, GEL280 tubular, etc) were dark anodized on the brake track as well. It would eventually wear off, quickly if you rode in the rain much, and it would also wear off faster right by the nipple - as that’s where the rim would bulge slightly due to spoke tension. This was most pronounced on the lighter rims like the 280 and 330, although I’ve seen it on the GP4 and MA40 as well. I think I still have an old MA40 in the garage, I’ll see if I can take a pic to show you what I mean.
Yeah, I guess I could do that, but I guess that’s why I’m riding a cervelo rather than a Schwin from Target. It matters to me how it rides and looks. I guess that’s also the reason I have a saab rather than a civic. I mean, both could get me from A to B, but I really enjoy taking pride in the performance and appearance of my car. I guess that’s also why I have a pretty wife. I mean, call me silly, but appearance matters to me.
Now, moving on to the question at hand…
That’s funny…I ride a Cervelo basically because of the performance. Well…more accurately, the performance/price ratio. The “looks” are secondary. I guess being a cheapass engineer I tend to gravitate to the “form follows function” school of thought
Hmmm…just thinking out loud here, but perhaps you could get some help with your matching/color problem on this over on the “Womens Forum”?
You know, I think you’re on to something. You should probably call all the frame and wheel manufacturers and tell them they are wasting their money with all those funky designs and colors. After all, nobody should care what their bike looks like. I mean, changing paint schemes every single model year…why would they ever do such a thing? You are clearly much wiser than they are. Hurry! Get the message out, plain white bikes, basic round steel tubing, and plain, high spoke count clincher wheels for everyone!
I know what the problem is, all of the manufacturers must be headed by women. That would explain it all…moron.
When you (or someone else) refers to the object as “bling”
I have never referred to my bike as “bling” every part was selected for performance reasons.
I actually have a USEFUL answer for you… it’s kind of a hack-job, workaround fix, but it works…
Mavic’s 08 Ellipse track wheels have a black machined aluminum surface (http://www.mavic.com/track/products/Ellipse.995631.aspx)… which means you CAN use brakes on them, unlike other track wheels. Of course, this also means you’ll have to rebuild the rear wheel with a freewheeling hub, which means your investment is going to be about $100 above the price of the wheels (for new hub and labor).
Hope this helps. I know my shop in Boston has a wheel set in stock.
You know, I think you’re on to something. You should probably call all the frame and wheel manufacturers and tell them they are wasting their money with all those funky designs and colors. After all, nobody should care what their bike looks like. I mean, changing paint schemes every single model year…why would they ever do such a thing? You are clearly much wiser than they are. Hurry! Get the message out, plain white bikes, basic round steel tubing, and plain, high spoke count clincher wheels for everyone!
I know what the problem is, all of the manufacturers must be headed by women. That would explain it all…moron.
Dang…someone’s a bit touchy this morning…
In the immortal words of Sgt. Hulka, “Lighten up, Francis”
When you (or someone else) refers to the object as “bling”
I have never referred to my bike as “bling” every part was selected for performance reasons.
I’m in a great mood. Just showing you how ridiculous you are.
Hey…I’m not the one who’s spent the last week pondering what sort of wheels to get based solely on “looks” because my Easton Vistas for some reason just don’t “cut it”
You know what…I’ve changed my mind, I think you should go with your first thought and sell your 808s and go for those Ksyriums like you first asked about. That would be perfect.
