Comments on: Edge Composites XC Rims: Update On Wheel Build

By: Brandonecpt

Brandonecpt — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:46:09 +0000

GT: LOL, fair enough! I’ve liked my 190s hubs, but can’t feel a noticeable difference between my AC hubs. Now, looking at a set of I-9′s I have built into some 355 rims, and then I can notice a difference!

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:48:57 +0000

Brandonecpt: Compared to what you can get with an American Classic hub, I stand by that comment. Rims not with standing.

By: Brandonecpt

Brandonecpt — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:25:52 +0000

GT: “I did look at DT Swiss, but their stuff is so high priced”

WHAT?! You were building into $775 rims.

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 21:57:04 +0000

ETURK: #1: Steel insert: Ever had a cassette get stuck on an aluminum freehub body because the individual cassette cogs dug into the aluminum? (Most common with SRAM cassettes) American Classic faced three of the splines on their newest free hub bodies with strips of steel which prevents this from happening. See this post: http://twentynineinches.com/2008/10/18/edge-composites-xc-rims-update-on-hubs/

#2: No, Edge Composites dictates the two cross pattern because of the angle the spokes would exit the spoke holes in the rim on a three cross wuld contact the carbon fiber and may damage the rim. I have found that 2 cross is plenty strong with the extremely high spoke tensions that you can achieve with these rims. (Edge encourages using a high spoke tension, by the way)

#3: Absolutely, these are everyday wheels. I wouldn’t feel afraid to use these on the Colorado Trail race, and in fact, races like that play to these rims strengths, I think, despite the peception that they are XC race wheels.

#4: XC models are 24mm wide, and the Enduro model, (not tested here) is 30mm in width.

By: Guitar Ted

Guitar Ted — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:01:31 +0000

ETURK: Great question! I chose those hubs because #1: I thought they fit the philosophy/intentions of the Edge Composites rims. I did look at DT Swiss, but their stuff is so high priced, and I haven’t been smitten by having ceramic ball bearings in standard bearing races. #2: I felt that American Classic had addressed past concerns about their hubs sufficiently to the point that I wanted to try them out again. The addition of the steel insert on the cassette body really sealed the deal as well.

In terms of engagement, I feel that as long as a hub isn’t noticeably sloppy in engagement, then for the intents and purposes of XC/Trail riding most hubs are more than sufficient. In terms of instantaneous engagement, well, the American Classics are not in that class, but I question the necessity of that in the light of this wheel sets intended use. Single speed, techy riding, and trials riding are a different story.