Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles Intros Wheel Sets
September 19th, 2007 by Guitar TedWe are hearing that there will be a new line of pre built wheel sets available from Ellsworth Handcrafted Bicycles soon. The new line will consist of mostly 26 inch wheels including a high zoot carbon fiber affair. Included in the line will be a relatively lightweight 29″er hoop set done in aluminum which will reportedly be shown next week at Interbike.
The goal of the new wheels was to improve the interface with the bicycles frame and optimize performance for the rider. Twenty Nine Inches will be looking into this new 29″er wheel next week at Interbike. Stay tuned!
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Elly’s 26″ carbon rimmed hoops look superb (as does DT Swiss’ new 330gm carbon 26″ rim).
Do any of you know if DT Swiss has intentions on a 700C carbon rim or if there are carbon clincher off road rims available in our (29″) size other than the deeper Reynolds cyclocross or Zipp 400 etc. (Zipp not recomended for off road) where the weight saving benefit is lost unless you run their tubular rims and use the overpriced and limited performance range of Tufo’s off road tubular tyres?
Professed: I was pushing some wheel and rim makers into this idea last year at interbike. I wouldn’t be surprised to see something released at Interbike, but whether it will be 25 plus millimeters wide is anybodies guess. Likely candidates include Reynolds, Cole Wheels, Easton, and some others.
My opinion is that it is going to be unlikely that we will see anything wide for 29″ers. Two reasons for this….no three! One: Small market, high price = few sales. Two: Mountain bikers are super leary of carbon anything, especially wheels. Three: If anything does turn up, it’ll be a wheel or rim that cyclo crossers could use too, thus covering the manufacturers bases and ensuring it’ll be a narrow rim.
On the aluminum rim front, it’s a totally different story.
Thanks GT - keep pushing those manufacturers!
I think perceptions will change about Carbon Fibre rims - and it is only a perception - as we all know a carbon rim can be engineered to perform in almost anyway the designer wants it to.
I can still remember when there were those who would never consider a full carbon trail or freeride bike ( and there still are many) but there are many popular and reliable ones now - Ibis, Scott…
C’mon DT Swiss, time to lead with a 700c version of your new 330 rim !
and looking forward to the relase of the “secret” 30mm+ Al offering(s)…