Weight Weinies and Wheels

Triathlon Forum
1

I built a wheelset last season and finally got around to putting it on the scale. I was shocked to see that I was 90g lighter (for the set) than Kysirium SL’s - and it’s a moderately aero wheelset. Wahooooo!!!

How did I do it?

American Classic 28rr, 24 ft (Campy). Velocity Aerohead rims, SAPIM CX-Ray spokes, alloy nipples. Radially laced ft (heads out to narrow the wheel) and non-driveside rear. 2X drive-side. All of this run at very high tension to add to the “quick response” factor and topped off with a set of super-light rimstips.

No more need for specialty wheelsets? - aero factors aside?

2

Building lighter than ksyriums is not difficult. Many combinations will be lighter, the key is the stiffness of the ksyrium. It’s tough to get a lightweight wheel that is also as stiff. Different goals in mind. But I know the joy of knowing your wheels are lighter than the next guy.

I race cyclocross on Chris King/Revo/Reflex and road on DuraAce/Revo/Formula20. Both are lighter than the ksyrium. But the ksyriums I have are fun to ride and might find their way into a crit or two this season. Glad to hear someone is still building wheels!