Wheel Fanatyk

Perfect Threads

2012-01-21T22:02:00.001-08:00

If you're obsessed with awesome wheels then you've noticed that spokes play an important role in their function and beauty. A big part of our love of the Morizumi Spoke Machine is its wonderful threading.Perfection.One of the machine's dedicated users sent a couple shots of fresh threads. Notice the uniformity. Few spoke factories maintain their equipment to product such fine threads.Stainless

Wheel Fanatyk's Tensiometer

2012-01-08T16:09:00.000-08:00

We're proud to announce the Wheel Fanatyk Tensiometer. Based on an ingenious Jobst Brandt (author of The Bicycle Wheel) design, this tool is the non-plus ultra of tension gauges.Inlaid, stainless, laser-etched nameplate.FSA briefly made a version and it acquired an eclectic, worldwide following. It was discontinued several years ago and can no longer be found for sale. The Wheel Fanatyk tool

Thanks for Your Support in 2011

2011-12-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

Best wishes from Giovanni, Antonio, and Ugo - la famiglia di Ghisallo

Wheel Building Tip No. 14 - Set the Spoke Path

2011-12-20T16:59:00.000-08:00

[Note: this is #14 of a series of 20]You have undoubtedly noticed, and I mentioned in tip #4, that spokes do not exactly conform to their path once laced into a wheel. This is especially true at the hub. With higher quality hubs and spokes, the spoke elbow seems incomplete, resulting in a bowed shape before full tension is applied.This bowing is, indeed, owed to incomplete elbows. Better spokes,

Wheel Building Tip No. 13 - Feeling Lucky

2011-12-17T11:47:00.000-08:00

[Note: this is #13 of a series of 20]Any task with as many variables and intangibles as wheelbuilding is bound to arouse some superstition. Most of my career in bicycle wheels has been devoted to demystifying the structure and the building process. A demystified process has little place for superstition. And "luck," for all its elusive charm, is rarely the explanation for anything.Luck?When a

Ghisallo T-Shirts

2011-12-03T09:31:00.000-08:00

In time for holiday gifting or personal fashion, we've just received a small stock of Ghisallo T's. 110% cotton, Italian embroidery and screening, stylish green color.On the plaza in Magreglio."Woods Made for Riding" perfectly captures the passion that embraces cycling, the historic and scenic Italian countryside, and the legendary ride of wood rims. Of course, shirts from Italy are not

2011 Holiday Treats

2011-12-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

Two exciting treats have arrived from Italy for the season and, truly, for all year round. First is a wall clock created by Giovanni from rims he made as a teenager during WWII at the d'Allesandro rim company in Milan. These 20" tubular rims bear d"Allesandro decals, have 24 holes, and make perfect clock frames!A timeless time piece.We have only found 80 such rims so that is the clock series.

A Perfect Truing Stand

2011-11-28T17:18:00.000-08:00

We've all got favorite devices. For some, it's vintage bicycles or race cars. For others, it's first edition books or pasta makers. For me, it's truing stands. I wish I had a larger collection but every one of my eleven stands is truly special. I'll introduce them in future blogs but today's news is my new favorite. I saw it first at Eurobike in 2006, from a couple in Germany. Not before or since

Wheel Building Tip No. 12 - Tuning the Ride

2011-10-23T15:35:00.001-07:00

[Note: this is #12 of a series of 20]Designing wheels seems deceptively simple. Pick parts that fit the bike, ride, and budget. Make sure hub and rim drilling match and spoke length is correct. All too often, the design process is kept this simple and amazing opportunities are missed.An exception is the fixie world, where a wheel's cosmetic appearance gets special attention. Sure, beauty is only

A Hub is Born

2011-10-04T15:41:00.000-07:00

In the life of a wheel fanatic, there can be many high points. Every build, hell, each ride is a reward. But once in a long, long while something very special comes around. Curtis Odom's hubs are such a treat.Majestic High FlangesCurtis has left a career of CAD design and returned to his roots in cycling. He plans a series of hub models at the very highest aesthetic level. The first to be born is

What is Old is New Again!

2011-09-18T15:06:00.000-07:00

As incentive for getting your restoration or art bike project on the road, here are three more images of Lawrence Wach's Mead Ranger.Must wag his tail when ridden.Nothing like a 45" wheelbase!A bike that makes art out of any setting.

Interbike Glimpse

2011-09-18T14:35:00.000-07:00

Last week was spent at Interbike and, though going crazy with lights and topics, I was very encouraged to see all the old bikes and artistry. From Velo Orange to Electra to Phil Wood to Fairwheel. So many.Ghisallo rims, as ever, were present; here in the Phil Wood booth.Shelley Horton's dreamboat.Brand new rides in timeless style could be seen (among the carbon fiber wonder bikes).Graceful

The Why of Building

2011-09-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

When people ask why I build wheels, they expect an answer like: "I save money not hiring someone to do it for me," or "My work is more careful and meticulous than I get from another builder." No, neither is really true. If I do the raw math on wheelbuilding cost, I don't save enough to warrant the trouble. And no longer is the scene barren of conscientious builders. Thank goodness, our trade

Where Did Pin Striping Go?

2011-08-29T18:31:00.000-07:00

The happy Mead Ranger currently bombing around San Diego (see July 7 post) has a brand new feature. Lost Art? Lawrence decided his rims deserved some artistic striping. Takes a steady hand, but the results are spectacular. If you wonder why old bikes shared some embellishments, you only have to see them up close. Pin striping, like white tires, is a timeless statement. The stripe should have

The Miller Bike

2011-08-14T19:01:00.001-07:00

Revolution Cycles in Ohio are putting out a steady stream of classics. You deserve to see this one. Leather + wood + steel + fresh air = timeless function and elegance. Reminiscent of grass track racers and urban messengers of the early 20th century, this little beauty combines a determined attitude with artisan details. White tires provide a perfect contrast. We're tickled that wood rims

All Wood Wheels

2011-07-24T17:17:00.001-07:00

Many fans of artistic bicycles were intrigued with photo's from this years Handbuilt bike show in Austin. In our booth an entirely wood wheel was on display. Huh?Can you spot the bamboo spokes?This odd and beautiful structure is the brainchild of my Montana based younger brother, Jon. He's been woodworking in Whitefish since Wheelsmith days and couldn't resist replacing the hub and spokes with

Summer Cruising

2011-07-07T12:32:00.000-07:00

For those of us in the North Hemisphere, Summer is on. Time for weather adjustment and sunny habits. Non is quite so appealing as casually cruising on a balloon tire bike, preferably near a body of water, few hills, and plenty of sights.Lawrence Wach in San Diego decided to restore a mid 1920's Mead Ranger. This top of the line machine was wood rim equipped.1915 Model, built for speed.So Lawrence

1977 Hetchins Reborn

2011-06-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

"I've never ridden such fabulous wheels as the Ghisallo wood rimmed wheels you built for me. I glued FMB Paris Roubaix tubulars to them and the ride is phenomenal!"A bike for the ages.Rick Mayer in Connecticut took time deciding just how to equip his classic Hetchins. Wood rims are not technically the same era but the aesthetic is totally consistent. I laced Corsa rims on a pair of NOS Campagnolo

Torchy Peden's Bike

2011-06-11T11:11:00.000-07:00

Among Canada's greatest cyclists, none was so flamboyant as Torchy Peden, nicknamed on account of his flaming red hair and tendency to tear off the front. Just imagine his red hair (and wood rims).Career highlights: 1928 - Won numerous prestigious races on European cycling circuit 1929 - Five Canadian Amateur Indoor Titles and four records - Turned professional -

Some Summer 2011 News

2011-06-05T14:35:00.001-07:00

Our supply of FSA Tension Gauges is finished. As many of you know, this is actually the Jobst Brandt Tension Gauge that FSA made for a few years. A nice job but it's been discontinued. I want to maintain availability, so we're working on domestic production. Hope I can soon announce restored supply with all the accuracy, convenience, and features that make it so desirable.Measuring tension. USA

Wheelbuilding Tip No. 11 - Stuck Cogs

2011-05-22T21:59:00.001-07:00

[Note: this is #11 of a series of 20]Don't let stuck cogs interfere with wheel rebuilds.When rear wheels need new rims and/or spokes, stuck cogs (or freewheels or cassettes) can prevent introducing new spokes. Gears sit near the drive side hub flange and you can't get spokes in or out when they're in place.With multi-speed hubs and coaster brakes, the solution is to disassemble the hub. Remove

Spring, and Visions Take Flight

2011-05-04T18:14:00.000-07:00

It's actually been one year since Gregg's restored Somec hit the roads of the Santa Cruz Mountains. But it was Spring and this is a good time to celebrate.Gregg was a mechanic at Wheelsmith, back in our glory days. Was he the best mechanic to work in that fabled store? Could be. Anyhow, he met his wife-to-be there, Diane Kim. Diane managed the unruly affair for some challenging years and those

Terrific New Ghisallo Visit

2011-05-03T20:30:00.000-07:00

Corey Fox has just posted a report of his visit to the workshops of Ghisallo rims.© Fox/PezcyclingHis first tour was in 2009 and his report may be a composite of several visits, since Corey lives in Italy. As he relates, the Cermenati family is tight knit and embodies the artisan ethic. They preserve, as well as the actors at America's famous Williamsburg village, an historic craft. Interpreting

Eddie's Gem

2011-04-23T14:51:00.000-07:00

When Eddie Hauswurz got his Masi cross bike, he knew it was going to be artistic as well as functional. Leather bar tape, brown suede saddle, golden champagne paint job...a perfect setup for a pair of wood rims. Eddie wearing his best vintage sweater and wool knickers.He decided on a pair of DT 240 hubs and we built a set of Elegant rims using butted 14 gauge spokes. My daughter, Kristina, laced

A Whirlwind Tour

2011-03-27T14:24:00.000-07:00

A dirth of posts is an indicator of too much activity. Handmade Show was terrific. Austin graced us with lovely weather and its distinctive hospitality. Exhibitors outdid themselves. And the winners were worthy.We had booth 415, a very nice corner spot.Daughter Kristina and brother Jon speak with Gary Fisher.Crowds were generous and enthusiastic. We met lots of wood rim fans.Even saw Bay Area

Upcoming 2011 Handbuilt

2011-02-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Handbuilt Bike Show is just 10 days away. This year's extravaganza will be hosted in Austin, Feb 25 and 26. Wheel Fanatyk will display our wheels and tools and I hope to see as many of you as possible.So many unique bikes and components are built for a show like this, attendees are full of anticipation. Among the surprises will be a his and her pair of city bikes conceived by Brett

Prior Hub Track Wheels

2011-02-06T12:24:00.000-08:00

Last month I was privileged to build a pair of wonderful wheels onto an unforgettable hub set - Prior, great examples of the elegant, high flange hubs that decorated the cycling scene, especially track racing, from the 1930's to '50's.Almost too delicate to work!The flange is precisely coned inwards to match the spoke path to the rim.Perfect geometry.They were also seen with a double set of

Hommage to 1034

2011-01-29T16:41:00.000-08:00

For me, "1034" will always have a magical meaning. This was the product number for Campagnolo Record low flange road hubs. It's hard to imagine, especially as a wheel builder, a more perfect cycling component. Of course, they haven't been made for years and are entirely incompatible with today's 10 and 11 speed freehubs. But their beauty and reliability is timeless.You can imagine my delight when

Wheel Building Tip No. 10 - Using a Dishing Tool

2011-01-29T14:18:00.000-08:00

[Note: this is #10 of a series of 20]A craft can be fun owing to charming materials, a satisfying process, elegant tools, and a worthy product. Wheel building has all of these. And among tools, none is quite so effective and clever as a dishing tool. What could be as simple as the gentle arch with central indicator of this classic tool?As many of you know, the arch locates like a diameter, its

Heroes of the Past and Present

2011-01-08T14:53:00.000-08:00

I'm a big fan of wheel builders, especially the pioneers to whom we owe this wonderful craft that contributes so much to the quality of our cycling. Over this year, I'd like to pay respects to some of these. You'll see these posts collecting in "Workshops" under Contents.Spain's Michel Debien is one of today's icons. His Spainish shop, Meca Bici, is a celebration of wheel building. A Master at

Bike Repair by Boat

2010-12-25T17:52:00.000-08:00

In the quest for worthwhile livelihood, I'm always on the lookout for clever occupational situations. I hope you'll agree that Graham of Tiller Cycles in Warwickshire, England is among them. He runs a bicycle repair business from his long boat, serving the communities between Leamington Spa and Braunston, since 2003.The good ship Brass FarthingHe uses a Morizumi spoke machine to maintain a spoke

Mechanic's Clinic 2010

2010-12-25T17:36:00.000-08:00

Each Winter, for over 20, I can look forward to reconnecting with some of my favorite mechanics and meeting 60 more at the USA Cycling Mechanics Clinic. This year, from Dec 1-5, we gathered at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs to teach skills and techniques that support bicycle racing. It's always a rare treat to be among brethren who share passion for bicycles and aren't afraid to

Best Wishes for the New Year

2010-12-12T11:09:00.001-08:00

Watch Wood Rims Being Made

2010-12-08T14:31:00.000-08:00

Father and son show how it's done.Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Fall Color in Ohio

2010-10-31T13:08:00.000-07:00

A graceful beauty.From Revolution Cycles, a new shop in Columbus, Ohio. They're apparently too busy building gorgeous bikes to activate their new web site. Expect more from Jared Cavileer and friends.

For Spoke Nerds Only

2010-10-30T21:37:00.000-07:00

Please don't read further if you are not a spoke engineering nerd.One of the best examinations of wheel physics and spoke performance is a 1996 paper by Henri Gavin, Bicycle Wheel Spoke Patterns and Spoke Fatigue.Its findings and predictions stimulate numerous revisits every year in forums and exchanges that explore the principles of bicycle wheels. On page 11 he refers to spoke testing conducted

Going New with the Old

2010-10-24T20:06:00.001-07:00

In June of this year (2010) we shipped a pair of Elegant tubular rims to Donald Dickson in Virginia. He built them up on NOS Campagnolo large flange hubs from the 1970's that he found on eBay. "I must be the only person in the country riding the Ghisallo rims," he said. No, it just seems like that since so much of the cycling world follows in each other's footsteps. Check the previous post,

The Hero in Us

2010-10-18T17:47:00.001-07:00

Some days life can seem pretty ordinary, even boring. But now and again, each of us manages to break up the monotony with something heroic. Some more than others. Last year, Tom Inskeep, from Maryland, bought a set of wood wheels. I sensed he was taking them for more than a decorative, restoration look. In fact, he had a wild scheme in mind: equip his bamboo Calfee with wood rims and race New

Masters at Work

2010-10-05T21:53:00.000-07:00

While many of you admire and some ride wood rims, nearly no one has seen how they are made. So, you can imagine my pleasure when Antonio sent me a 20 minute movie in which he and his father, Giovanni, demonstrate their craft.Watch some familiar wood working machines and some built 100 years ago, expressly for wood rims. There's nothing like true artisans with the tools of their trade.We're

Wheel Building Tip No. 9 - Succeed with Alu Nipples

2010-07-05T21:42:00.000-07:00

[Note: this is #9 of a series of 20]Back in the 1970's, aluminum nipples were rare. We had superlight tires (<200g), superlight rims (<260g), and superlight spokes (butted 15 ga), but no one thought about aluminum instead of traditional brass for nipples because the weight savings is small (~20g/wheel) and a nipple failure is just as bad as spoke breakage. The only aluminum nipples available were

My Friend Phil

2010-06-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

One of the hardest working pairs of Ghisallo wood rim wheels sit quietly on my friend Phil's bike in Sandpoint, Idaho.400 hundred people gathered to say goodbye to Phil Role on a recent sunny Sunday in prime riding weather. Phil would have been pleased by the turnout and especially by those who proudly wore the local bike club jersey. The same one draped over his bike on the stage. Phil and I met

Morizumi Gets Knobs

2010-05-02T21:24:00.000-07:00

First off, sorry for my sluggish posting of late. I've got a number of pressing projects right now and you'll be hearing news about them soon.In the meantime, I've got some Morizumi's back in stock and they ALL feature a cool new pair of lever knobs. Hard to believe we've been adoring these machines for years with only featureless levers. No more!Trim KnobThis shape is magical. Mr. Morizumi found

Handmade Show 2010

2010-03-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Where's the Wheels?I only attended Handmade Shows in San Jose and Portland; and then the first Manifest in Portland. So, like most of you, I'm experiencing subsequent Handmades through blogs and journalists. After reading reviews of the latest event in Richmond, some thoughts come to mind.White SpaceDesigners and artists know about white space. The absence of color is just as important to the

Wheel Building Tip No. 8 - Know Your Spoke Elbows

2010-02-27T20:50:00.001-08:00

[Note: this is #8 of a series of 20]We refer to the World's predominant spoke shape as "J-bend," which couldn't be more self explanatory. What escapes discussion is the precise geometry of the bend. For low end wheels and short distance riders the only concern is whether a spoke can be attached to a hub quickly and stay put in service. The situation is different for high end wheels and

Three Gems in Seattle

2010-01-17T21:30:00.000-08:00

Seattle is home to a number of iconic bicycle enterprises and artists. Shops galore, publications, restorers, frame and wheel builders, and eclectic individuals. They're too numerous to list but Eliot Bay Bicycles deserves a mention. Bill Davidson and Bob Freeman hold forth in their historic location, not far from the famous Pike Place Market. Bill is well known for his enlightened frames and Bob

Wheel Building Tip No. 7 - Replace Spokes One at a Time

2010-01-03T16:41:00.000-08:00

[Note: this is #7 in a series of 20 tips to be published during 2009 & 2010.]Your wheel is strong because the hub is centered inside the rim by opposing sets of spokes. Better wheels enjoy high tension in these opposing sets but the structure is less stable in case spokes are missing.The low tension of everyday wheels is actually in their favor. With lower tension, the balance between spokes is

New Year's Resolution

2009-12-27T21:56:00.000-08:00

I said I was going to provide 20 wheel building tips in 2009. Well, a slew of distractions conspired to keep the number to merely 6. My apologies!For 2010 the series will continue, and I vow to complete the remaining 14. Thanks for your interest and I hope you'll feel your patience is rewarded.Nothing quite greets the new year like a brilliant new bike and Sam Whittingham has just finished a

2009-12-24T21:37:00.000-08:00

Seasonal Wood Rim Maintenance

2009-12-05T22:44:00.001-08:00

Don't know about your spot on this globe but up here (Latitude: 47.606) it's pretty dark at 4:30 and the ski resorts are all open. Time for some seasonal service for those wood wheels I ride all year.Wood rim wheels are low maintenance, but it pays to give everything a good look over at least once a year. Here are your tasks:(1) Dismount your tiresOnce a year, remove your tires (unless they're

Rims, Rims, and more Rims!

2009-10-28T19:58:00.000-07:00

Christmas comes early to Wheel Fanatyk as we add several long awaited models and styles of Ghisallo wood rims and a stylish warmup top.(1) Palmeroni - A perfect replica of turn-of-the-century tubular style rims to support the semi pneumatic tires of the period. If your bicycle is a safety between 1898 and 1930, this may be the restoration ticket. The rim is 30mm wide and 20mm deep, with a 700C

Wheel Building Tip No. 6 - Build Rears from Right to Left

2009-10-13T13:45:00.000-07:00

[Note: this is #6 in a series of 20 tips to be published during 2009.]For those of you that don't know the fastest way to build a rear wheel, here is how. This method is standard practice for many but still undiscovered by most. Building from right to left leverages the inconvenient truth of rear wheels to speed up the process. In fact, this method makes rears faster and easier to tension than

Wood Shines at '09 Interbike

2009-10-02T21:31:00.001-07:00

The 2009 Interbike trade show in Las Vegas ran over three days last week (Sep 23-25). As usual, there were wood rims sprinkled around the Show. As usual, the general media missed them entirely. However, those displays received loads of compliments.Ortlieb USA showed an elegant SOMA city bike. Ghisallo Sport rims were laced to a Son generator front hub and a Chris King cassette rear. The spokes

Ode to Spokes

2009-09-30T21:03:00.001-07:00

Steel wire makes great spokes. Take it from someone who's made a career of making and celebrating steel spokes. The wheel needs of a bicycle are beautifully met with steel wire, and one glance at the cycling world offers ample proof. Let's examine why this is true.Tried and True.Why is steel wire so well suited to the bicycle wheel?(1) High grade steel wire can support amazing tensile loads.

Wheel Building Tip No. 5 - Be a Wheel Whisperer

2009-08-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

[Note: this is #5 in a series of 20 tips to be published during 2009.]Most riders know their wheels by brand, color, and trueness. If that's as deep as your insight goes, you'll have a tough time becoming a wheel guru. The special feature of bicycle wheels is the wire spoke structure and the tension forces that inhabit it. Invisible to the eye, these forces give the wheel its remarkable strength

Wheel Building Tip No. 4 - How to Pre-stress Your Wheel

2009-07-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

[Note: this is #4 in a series of 20 wheel building tips to be published during 2009.]Wheel builders often try to "pre stress" their wheels as a last step in the building process. All builders, especially novice, are nervous, wanting the new wheel to be as good and stable as possible. Like the rituals that preceded hunting in earlier times, we want to stack the cards in our favor. After all,

Wheel Building Tip No. 3 - Stop Spoke Wind Up

2009-06-13T19:48:00.000-07:00

[Note: this is #3 in a series of tips to be published during 2009.]Spoke wind up, twisting from end to end as the nipple is turned, is a serious menace to wheel building; blurring truing corrections and damaging a spoke at its weak points. Everyone deserves to understand the reasons why and how to stop it.Why do spokes twist? The main reason is friction between nipple and spoke. You turn the

Ye Olde Tool Board

2009-05-26T17:36:00.001-07:00

I found myself rooting through the archives and chanced on a picture from the very early days of Wheelsmith on Alma St. in Palo Alto. It was a shot of our tool board. On it hung our Campagnolo kit (old timers know about these) and our various Var, Eldi, Hozan, and home made tools.circa 1975Across the top are beer bottles, collected from exotic locations. Believe it or not, in 1975 you couldn't

Great Ghisallo Press

2009-05-25T16:52:00.000-07:00

It's always a thrill to be mentioned in a hugely popular publication. In cycling, there are few, and Bicycling is the industry standard. They're the oldest, biggest, most successful, and enjoy the broadest following of them all. If you're not already a subscriber, go out right now and buy the July (2009) issue!On pages 64 and 65 you'll see Ghisallo rims on a very stylish and retro Bianchi road

Wheel Building Tip No. 2 - Lubricating Nipples

2009-05-25T11:53:00.001-07:00

[Note: this is #2 in a series of tips to be published during 2009.]Lubricate your nipples. Yes, yes, you've heard this advice before...maybe back when you were a runner? Seriously, it sounds simple but deserves emphasis. Why does it matter and what is the science behind this practice? What are the practical benefits and what are some effective means to lube nipples?It's worth asking, to begin the

Bike racing equipment regulations

2009-05-10T17:51:00.000-07:00

The UCI has announced an offensive against equipment makers who are exploiting (legally) the current rules. The topic of sports regulation is always hot, especially in these days of doping and cheating. Recently, the New York Times ran a conspicuous article on the subject.What are the UCI's concerns? Their minds aren't transparent, but we doubt they are anti-innovation, per se. One trend that

Wheel Building Tip No. 1 - Turning Nipples

2009-05-06T17:30:00.000-07:00

[Note: this is #1 in a series of tips to be published during 2009.]Hexagon headed fasteners have dominated engineering for a century but bicycle wheels know better and every spoke nipple (well, 99.6%) in the world is square drive. Why? Even though square drive cannot transmit as much torque (twisting force), lower tolerances are required than with hex drive. Besides, if you plan to turn a

More Cherry Bomb Chatter!

2009-04-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

One of today's most thoughtful and thorough bike technology blogs is Cozy Beehive. There's something for everyone and more. Ron took a close look at this year's Handbuilt Show winner by Sam Whittingham, addressing every feature, and there are plenty to discuss. Some are artistic, some historic, some innovative, most are refreshingly original. Wood rims, of course, are a big part of the story.Why

Wood rims in France

2009-04-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

Such a small world, seems every day brings another reminder. I recently sold an FSA spoke tension gauge to Charles Carrie, an accomplished wheel builder and triathlete (11 Ironmans!), whose shop is 20 km southeast of Paris. He began asking question about Ghisallo wood rims. Before you know it, he built a pair:Bianchi never looked betterHis curiosity just grew from there and last week he became

Wood Rims at Taipei Show

2009-04-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

It hardly seems that I missed the Taipei Show this year (mid-March). The coverage afforded such events is so comprehensive, you nearly see as much browsing blogs as actually being there. Of course, there's nothing like seeing old friends face-to-face, but at least I was able to spend some time there the month before. Nothing beats visiting Taiwan just after Chinese New Year. The country is still

Ric Demonstrates the Morizumi

2009-04-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

For high quality, close up images of the tool, please visit this previous post.

Morizumi-san

2009-04-08T15:46:00.000-07:00

Machines do not happen by themselves, and behind every great one is impressive talent. Morizumi designed his spoke cutter/threader based on extensive experience with spoke manufacturing at Asahi Spoke Company in Osaka. This tool combines that special insight with his own cleverness. It's certainly one of the most elegant and effective devices I have used.He runs a one-man shop where every task is

Restoration

2009-04-01T12:45:00.001-07:00

Some of you will recognize this distinctive track bike:Schwinn Paramount, circa 1938-39Hard to imagine the scale and profile of 6-Day racing throughout the 1920's and 30's. No other professional sport rivaled the 6-Day scene. Bikes like the Paramount convey much so more than meets the eye -- a bit like Edmund Hillary's ice axe. You have to visualize him reaching Everest's summit to appreciate

2009 Handbuilt - Sam Triumphs Again

2009-03-14T15:27:00.000-07:00

This year's Handbuilt Bike Show just concluded (Feb 27- Mar 1) and top prize was again won by BC's Sam Whittingham, whose dazzling 29R, Cherry Bomb, won People's Choice, on its Ghisallo wood rims. Sam, you're unstoppable. Read his account.Some of the best images are available on the Show website. Here is one from their gallery.Sam, Andrea, and Cherry BombSam (arms crossed) looks on proudly, with

Check this Morizumi Setup

2009-02-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

Now that dozens of you are happy Morizumi users, let me show you one of my favorite setups for spoke cutting. This is also a good time to get a close look at this beautiful device. If you have a nice setup to share, please let us know.Before starting our visual tour, let me declare that I've never met a wheel builder who doesn't see the advantages of cutting spokes to size to minimize inventory

Spoke Length?

2009-01-25T23:17:00.000-08:00

It’s so easy, these days, to establish the exact spoke length for any wheel. Just visit one of the Web’s many free calculation sites (DT’s, for example). But it wasn’t always so easy; in fact, the correct lengths were hard to discover, closely guarded secrets. For more than a century, wheel builders relied on charts and notebooks filled with observations. That’s the wheel world I entered in the

A New Year

2009-01-02T14:12:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2009, everyone. If ever a year was stacked to exceed expectations, this is the one, if you know what I mean. What resolutions have you made? Besides wishing for more (more miles, more bikes...) I hope you've included a measure of serendipity in your resolutions.In 2009, I hope you encounter a new form of cycling. Is it fixed gear, commuting, 29R, restoration, humanitarian, 3rd World

All About the Beauty

2008-12-20T21:46:00.000-08:00

What's the point of beautiful wood rims? Something "green?" An exercise in one-upsmanship? An edge in performance or feel? Pure nostalgia? Perhaps none of the above. Think of wood rims as a design device, an aesthetic option to create beautiful bicycles.Wood rack w/pearl inlay + wood rims GREEN?The mandate to reduce global impacts of our species fuels a quest for sustainable, renewable sources of

Wheelbuilding Poster

2008-11-06T15:41:00.000-08:00

The lush image that serves as banner for this website is just part of a larger poster that was printed in the 1970's as a promotional piece for a small group of Bay Area graphic specialists. The image was captured by Jack Christianson of Light Design in Santa Clara, and a team including color separator, printer, embosser, art director, paper supplier, etc. combined to create a limited run of

Oregon Manifest

2008-10-24T15:55:00.000-07:00

Was privileged to exhibit at Oregon Manifest in Portland earlier this month. Many of us from the NW were depressed that Don Walker's North American Handbuilt Show had relocated to Indianapolis. It was such a big hit last year. Worry no more, Portland has a show worth celebrating and one that will certainly grow and evolve in the coming years.Ric and Donna in the boothThe attendees were talented

Wood Rims in the News

2008-09-14T13:14:00.000-07:00

Wow, two media mentions in a month. My sincere apologies to the two writers involved. You know, articles on identical "new" subjects in competing magazines are the journalistic equivalent to a fender bender. Well, let's just enjoy the exposure.In Road Bike Action (pg 94, Nov-Dec '08 issue), bike design and writing legend Richard Cunningham lavishes attention on Ghisallo rims in 2-1/2 colorful

Tubular vs. Clincher

2008-08-31T12:35:00.000-07:00

If there’s one cycling debate that refuses to defuse, it’s the old “tubulars vs. clinchers” argument. Of less concern to MTB riders, it still manages to invade dirt discussions. Thomas Frischknecht, the great Swiss XC legend, terrorized his peers using 26” tubular tires late in his celebrated career.For any newcomers, tubulars are the original pneumatic tires, the style that prevailed until well

Wood rims downtown?

2008-05-20T14:31:00.000-07:00

I recently got a note from a rider who's uncertain about riding wood in downtown Seattle. First, take a look at this "downtown," wood creation:2500lbs and 600hp ?Back to cycling, here's his question and, after it, my reply:I'd love to buy some, but have a few concerns:I ride a fixed-gear track bike with front brake. After reading some of the notes on your blog am a bit scared to ride the wooden

Advice for building wood rims

2008-05-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

(1) Wood rims are drilled for a specific pattern. The holes are precisely aimed. The rims want a X3 pattern, you can stick a nipple into any hole and it will tell you unequivocally where the spoke needs to originateDon't worry about artistic and unique spoking patterns. Wood wheels deliver a knockout visual and the pattern really takes back seat.Notice also, that the Cermenati's are not obsessive

Tension Gauge in the News

2008-04-13T13:09:00.000-07:00

The latest issue of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News (BRAIN) carried a blurb about the FSA tension gauge (sold here). Generous credit was given to its designer, Jobst Brandt. How exciting that this unique tool and its interesting history receives some press! Thanks to BRAIN’s sage and inquisitive technical editor, Matt Wiebe.World's Lightest Tension GaugeFirst, on Jobst’s behalf, while he is

WOW - 2008 Handbuilt Show

2008-02-23T12:45:00.001-08:00

Bravo to Don Walker and all those that made the Handbuilt Show such a success in Portland this month. I ran a Wheel Fanatyk booth and showed everyone the incredible wood rims from Ghisallo and the beautiful and smooth operating Morizumi spoke cutter. We had huge numbers of admirers for both items. The Handbuilt Show was a perfect setting for the rims. Everywhere you looked were stellar examples

Reflecting on the '08 Handbuilt Show

2008-02-23T12:20:00.000-08:00

The Portland event was special and precious. Part of the magic is the unsinkable, irrepressible creativity of life long cycling artists. But part of it is the chance chemistry of a time and place. As someone who has seen special events thrive but then suddenly disappear, I'm particularly distracted. I think the handbuilt scene is more delicate than it seems.Even big affairs, for example the Coors

Come to the Hand Built Bicycle Show!

2008-02-04T15:05:00.000-08:00

I hope to see as many of you as possible at the Hand Built Bicycle Show, Feb 8-10 in Portland. The 2008 edition of the unique event will be historic and much larger that last year's in San Jose.Wheel Fanatyk will be showing, along with 140+ other exhibitors. You'll be able to see the beauty and variety of wood rims and wheels at my both, #511.Keep a look out for wood rims throughout the Show.

Mavic Memories

2008-01-15T14:30:00.000-08:00

When Zap asked me for some recollections of Mavic in the early US days, I took the moment to contact an old friend in San Francisco who had a lot Mavic experience, Richard Goodwin. We each put pen to paper and wrote a few words about the past, nothing serious. Folks from that era who aren't mentioned are not forgotten. These are just brief reminiscences.Now I've decided to share them with you.

Wood Bicycles

2008-01-04T11:33:00.000-08:00

Wood is a spectacular building material, delivering great stiffness and low density. The contemporary product environment is more material aware than ever. We enjoy a vast range of mold able plastics, metals, and composites and today's designers are also aware of the great potential of wood. Careful selection of species and grain, combined with modern adhesives and fabrics for reinforcement helps

How Wood makes a Rim

2008-01-03T15:16:00.000-08:00

To understand how a wood rim functions, we need to talk about density and the stiffness of shapes and materials. A bicycle rim resists bending according to the stiffness of the given material and shape. However, material near the rim's exterior does most of the work. Why? When the rim bends, this exterior undergoes the greatest deformation. For example, with a bend to the left, compression is

Road bike bar height

2008-01-02T14:01:00.001-08:00

A deep riding position reached its extreme in the early ‘80’s with new aerodynamic ideas. Even leisure riders had little option than to follow the trend to uncomfortable but efficient postures. Recently, more attention has been paid to the needs of some overlooked niches (women, older riders, etc.) and alternatives entered the market. As the industry ran out of customers who swallow fashion

A Geeky Look at Mavic's R-SYS

2007-11-14T17:22:00.000-08:00

Plenty of hoopla at this year's trade shows. Some new products are recycled versions of previous ideas that are coming around on a fashion cycle. Nothing wrong with that, especially if the idea is good and prospective users examine the previous incarnation.Some ideas are genuinely new technology. Usually crossing over from another industry, these include materials, processes, and alternative ways

Ghisallo Chapel, the Pope, and Wood

2007-10-21T16:43:00.000-07:00

To live in Magreglio, Italy, as do the makers of Ghisallo wood rims, is to be constantly reminded of the close association of cycling and the Catholic Church. At the nearby summit lies the quaint chapel of Madonna del Ghisallo, chock full of cycling artifacts. This is the home of the patron saint of cycling.If you visit this lovely, alpine area (50km north of Milan) stop by the chapel. If you're

Wood Rims at Interbike

2007-10-14T13:06:00.000-07:00

I can't get close enough to this bicycle.One of the highlights at this year's Interbike trade show is this Colnago track model; equipped, to my delight, with a pair of Ghisallo wood rims built onto Campagnolo Record track hubs. What a knockout!It seems I wasn't the only one impressed, see slowtwitch.com.FYI, I used a pair of Corsa rims, butted spokes, 36 per wheel, crossed 3. Combining a Brooks

Race Mechanics Clinic 2008

2007-10-13T20:20:00.000-07:00

The life of a race mechanic is pretty exotic, that's for sure. The accomodations, the locations, the events, the camaraderie; only working in a major movie production can compare. Want a closer glimpse?One of the most rewarding opportunities for aspiring race mechanics is the Bill Woodul Clinic, held for the past 16 or so years at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Nothing compares

Three wheelbuilding tips

2007-06-18T14:27:00.000-07:00

Three wheelbuilding tips that are often overlooked:(1) Set spoke elbowsSpokes will give maximum service life and strength if the elbow is firmly set against the hub flange during building. If not, spokes may appear to "loosen up" and their fatigue life may decrease, resulting in premature breakage. When a spoke is set loosely into a hub, it should lie about 15 deg. above the angle directly to the

On Pedal Finesse

2007-06-18T14:11:00.001-07:00

Here is some advice we dispensed at Wheelsmith in Palo Alto, back in the day. Much of its content is courtesy of Brett Hansen whose coaching insights and good humor were a big part of that era:- - - - - - - - - -Pedaling smoothly requires finesse, not strength. Strength is the power by which you go fast, but going really fast takes strength coupled with pedal action finesse. Pedal action finesse

The Spoke Machine is for Sale

2007-06-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

I keep a small inventory of this fine machine in Seattle, along with spare parts. If you're interested or have questions, please send a message.The machine is USD$3200 and shipping is $60 to North American destinations. I will pay shipping costs to elsewhere in the America's, Asia, or Europe. It comes complete, including a manual describing function, maintenance, and trouble shooting.What are its

Behold the Morizumi Spoke Machine

2007-06-17T19:24:00.000-07:00

The Morizumi SCT (Spoke Cutting and Threading) machine is a marvel of simplicity and compactness. Originally designed at Asahi Spoke Company (partner of Wheelsmith for the first 20 years), now it's manufactured by a nearby machine shop founded by former Asahi engineers. Not that portability is vital, this tool can be stowed in the space of an 8" cube. As a consequence, I've taken it to numerous

Homage to the Spoke Machine

2007-06-17T18:46:00.000-07:00

The history of technology is sprinkled with seminal inventions. Some are actually useful devices, ends in themselves. Others are more so catalysts, enablers for developments to follow. The bicycle owes its existence to a number of clever 19th century ideas: the tensioned wheel, pneumatic tires, the roller chain, tubular steel, etc. The last half of the 20th century witnessed a number of important

Wood Rims for Sale!

2007-06-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

Wood was the exclusive material for racing rims for over 70 years. All Classics, Tours, Olympics, and Championships were contested on wood. If retro style posters, such as "Drinkers and Smokers," were colorized from black and white, one of the biggest shocks would be the wood rims.I stock 3 models:- Corsa (330g), 36H, 700C tubular (for sewup tires)- Elegant (420g), 32H or 36H, 700C tubular (for

How Tubular are Made and Maintained

2007-06-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

This article, written by Spence Wolf, first appeared in AMERICAN CYCLING, June 1966 (pg. 19). Images by Wheel Fanatic.Hand made tires are a necessity for the racing cyclist, and for other cyclists who want the utmost in response and easy pedaling. They are expensive, thin, and vulnerable to the atmosphere and to damage from the hazards of the road. However, their life can be extended considerably

Important Tips about Tubular Tires

2007-06-16T17:21:00.000-07:00

Tubular, or sewup, tires provide the ultimate ride for a modern road racing bicycle. Because the tire is sewn together around the tube considerable weight is saved in the tire’s construction -- no beads of sturdy wire or cord are needed to grip the rim, and in the rim -- simplified because the tire is bonded by cement. Its use is critical to the reliability and performance of the system. Over 100

Nature's Composite

2007-06-16T14:35:00.000-07:00

I wrote this piece for the February 1985 issue of BICYCLE GUIDE magazine, pg 16-17, 106. So please forgive a few details that are owed to its vintage. Also note, all the wood rim makers listed have ceased production except for Ghisallo.- - - - - - - - - -In our never-ending search for better materials, the current rage is the space-age group of substances known as composites. Composites consist

How Wood Rims are Made

2007-05-20T20:42:00.000-07:00

Every few years, the Cermenati's travel to a favored grove of old beech trees in Slovenia. One is felled, milled, and the planks are taken back to Italy for aging.When the time is right, the lumber is planed into smaller strips.Traditionally, the long strips were soaked prior to shaping. Today, however, the laminations are thinner (just a few millimeters) and they can be bent without wetting.The