The inevitable march of time has brought us through another summer. For the Bicycle Therapy team, with the twilight coming earlier each day, our anticipation grows greater for the cyclocross season. August is always a frenzy of equipment choices and evaluations. We study tire treads, rim widths, and handlebar shapes with a curiosity to match that of the best tinkerers. While the team is rich in spirit and good looks, when it comes to our equipment budget, it occasionally seems we have more cobwebs than cash.
Having equipment sponsors then becomes a super important part of keeping the team running like the well-tuned machine it can often be. Velocity, the manufacturer of rims and complete wheelsets, has come on board as the team's newest sponsor, and the pairing could not have been more timely nor a better match for us. The folks at the Grand Rapids-based operation have always made impressive products, but in their latest offerings, they have really hit the nail on the head.
Velocity has versatile and customizable options tailoring to just about every desire and price level. Need some 20 or 24 hole rims to build on some Chris King R45's? Looking for a pre-built wheelset that may outlast most others? Through the varied builds our team has requested, each order was completed expertly and quickly.
For the 2012 cross season, the Bicycle Therapy team is taking advantage of both of the wider rims Velocity offers: the Major Tom and the A23. The Major Tom is their tubular rim offering that measures to a portly 22mm wide. This above average width provides more purchase between the rim and tire allowing for more surface area for better adhesion. While the Major Tom is not the lightest in the strata of tubular rims, at ~420g each it is not unduly heavy. It builds up into an exceptionally stiff and responsive wheel which tends to be able to take more than its fair share of abuse. The machined brake surface offers consistent and predictable braking with minimal wear to the rim over time.
The A23 rim is the Major Tom's clincher counterpart. As the name suggests, it is 23mm wide and weighs in at ~430g. The wide rim craze is sweeping the industry, and with good reason. The wider rim allows for a more rounded tire shape which decreases the rolling resistance as well as cuts down the possibility of getting pinch flats. Also, with Velocity's recent move to U.S. manufacturing, the A23 is now a tubeless ready rim.
While carbon wheels are fantastic and enviable, they're not always the most practical choice for a privateer team like ours. We try to get the most racing as possible out of the season and can't afford the time lost due to scrambling to replace hopelessly damaged equipment.
Having equipment sponsors then becomes a super important part of keeping the team running like the well-tuned machine it can often be. Velocity, the manufacturer of rims and complete wheelsets, has come on board as the team's newest sponsor, and the pairing could not have been more timely nor a better match for us. The folks at the Grand Rapids-based operation have always made impressive products, but in their latest offerings, they have really hit the nail on the head.
Velocity has versatile and customizable options tailoring to just about every desire and price level. Need some 20 or 24 hole rims to build on some Chris King R45's? Looking for a pre-built wheelset that may outlast most others? Through the varied builds our team has requested, each order was completed expertly and quickly.
For the 2012 cross season, the Bicycle Therapy team is taking advantage of both of the wider rims Velocity offers: the Major Tom and the A23. The Major Tom is their tubular rim offering that measures to a portly 22mm wide. This above average width provides more purchase between the rim and tire allowing for more surface area for better adhesion. While the Major Tom is not the lightest in the strata of tubular rims, at ~420g each it is not unduly heavy. It builds up into an exceptionally stiff and responsive wheel which tends to be able to take more than its fair share of abuse. The machined brake surface offers consistent and predictable braking with minimal wear to the rim over time.
The A23 rim is the Major Tom's clincher counterpart. As the name suggests, it is 23mm wide and weighs in at ~430g. The wide rim craze is sweeping the industry, and with good reason. The wider rim allows for a more rounded tire shape which decreases the rolling resistance as well as cuts down the possibility of getting pinch flats. Also, with Velocity's recent move to U.S. manufacturing, the A23 is now a tubeless ready rim.
While carbon wheels are fantastic and enviable, they're not always the most practical choice for a privateer team like ours. We try to get the most racing as possible out of the season and can't afford the time lost due to scrambling to replace hopelessly damaged equipment.
