In Part 1 of our Wheel Overview, we looked at the Mavic Open Pro PowerTap wheel that is available from CycleOps Power and the PowerTap wheels available from Zipp Speed Weaponry. In Part 2 of this series, we will introduce our wheel partners American Classic and Mavic. Both manufacturers are innovators in the field of wheel building and offer high-quality power-measuring wheels to accommodate any type of rider. As always, you can get more information on all of our wheel partners at their websites:

American Classic: amclassic.com
Bontrager: bontrager.com
Mavic: mavic.com
HED: hedcycling.com
Zipp: zipp.com

American Classic

CycleOps Power partnered with American Classic in 2004. We valued their philosophy toward product development. American Classic’s founder and president, Bill Shook has a very particular standard for designing products for American Classic: “first, a product must be functional and durable, then light, strong, aerodynamic and beautiful.” From the age of 14, Bill Shook was an avid cyclist, working his way through the ranks to eventually ride for the US National Team. His vision for American Classic came from a desire to create better cycling products than what were available to him as a racer. He strives to “design and distribute high performance components for riders every where,” and he describes his designs as "an elegant solution to an engineering question striving for a complete solution that pushes the edge of what is a possibility."

American Classic wheels are designed, tested, and built in the USA. They are subject to high standards of quality that are easily controlled through individual hand finishing and tension gauge checks. According to a review on pezcyclingnews.com, "The build has stayed true after several hundred km more riding, and I've yet to hear a creak or groan." American Classic’s PowerTap wheels are held to the same high standards as all their products. In a review from Bicycling, the reporter says, "In the second season of my love affair with American Classic wheels - the Sprint 350 clincher is the best all-around wheel I've ever ridden - I've discovered a value driven way to get into power training. American Classic's Hurricane wheelset costs just $23 more than Bontrager's Aero PowerTap Race rear wheel, and thanks to thrashing a set of Hurricanes on cyclocross courses, I know these hoops are durable."

Almost all of American Classic’s wheels are available with a PowerTap SL+ rear hub. They have several options from ultra-light to super-aerodynamic. All the wheels boast the proven durability that we have come to expect from American Classic.

The Road Carbon wheels are available as tubulars with 38mm rim or 58 mm rim. They also have a clincher version available in a 58 mm rim. The weight-savings of carbon fiber make these wheels an excellent choice for races and timed events. While the lighter Carbon Tubular 38 is the best choice for criterium specialists and road racers who need to accelerate quickly through corners or ascend lightly up mountain passes, their lower-profile rims also make them a good choice for time trials with strong cross-winds.

For flatter road races and time trials where aeorynamics plays a bigger factor in speed, the Carbon 58 Tubular and Clincher are a better choice. The tubular version weighs in at 242 grams less than the clincher version. However, with its aluminum breaking surface, the clincher version can be used for racing and training as a good all-around aerodynamic wheel.

The Mag Tubular and Mag Clincher use American Classic’s pioneering magnesium rims. Magnesium is lighter than aluminum and more durable than carbon for an unparalleled compromise between strength and weight. American Classic states that this is the “fastest accelerating, best cornering race wheel available,” making the wheel an ideal choice for crits and fast road races and road rides. The Mags dampen road vibration for a smooth ride. For race-specific use, the tubular weighs in at 20 grams lighter than the clincher, but for overall versatility, we recommend the clincher version.

The 420 Road is American Classic’s best all-around wheel. Featuring the “lightest deep-section aluminum rim in the world,” the wheel offers the convenience of aluminum and the aerodynamics of a deep profile rim, while keeping weight as a priority. These wheels can be used for racing or training for all types of athletes – road riders, Cyclocross specialists, and triathletes.

The Sprint 350 is the obvious choice for the rider who prefers the convenience and tradition of an aluminum wheel. American Classics touts this wheel as being “one of the lightest traditional aluminum road clincher rims in the world,” madding it ideal for climbing and fast road rides.

American Classic’s Hurricane is an aluminum clincher with a 32-hole spoke count and 3-cross build. This makes it an ideal wheel for large and powerful riders. Bicycling magazine reports: “thanks to thrashing a set of Hurricanes on cyclocross courses, I know these hoops are durable." Choose the Hurricanes if you are a heavier rider, looking for a good solid wheelset for training, or racing under demanding conditions.

The MTB Disc 350 is American Classic’s mountain bike wheel that is available with power; it comes with a PowerTap 2.4+ hub. In its June 2007 issue, Mountain Bike Action reported: “The American Classic wheels are laterally stiff and showed no signs of weakness on everything from smooth singletrack to rock gardens. We intentionally slammed berms motocross style ( cranked over, inner foot unclipped ) to see if we could find fault - we didn’t. If you are in the market for a new set of hoops, good luck finding a better value than these American Classics.˝ Lightweight, durable power measurement in a mountain bike wheel – what more could one ask for?

For pricing information and more details on all of American Classic’s wheels, visit their website at amclassic.com.

Mavic

CycleOps Power’s newest wheel building partner, Mavic, has been offering PowerTap wheels for the last year; however, Mavic is a wheel company whose depth of experience in creating wheels is unparalleled in the industry. The company was founded in 1889 by two French brothers and has since pioneered many developments in wheel design. In 1934, Mavic secretly tested their Dura rims in the Tour de France—secretly, because at the time, the new technology was not legal for racing. The 750 gram rim was feather-light compared to the 1.2 kilogram steel rims that were standard. This started Mavic’s long-standing tradition of proving their products’ durability and performance under the actual stress that the wheel would experience in its lifetime.

In 1975, Mavic introduced the first anodized rims, which made the rims more durable by increasing rim wall hardness and protected against corrosion. In 1975, Mavic also introduced Module E, the first tire with hooks, which caused the gradual decline in the use of tubular tires.

In 1985, Mavic continued its pioneering ways by pushing the envelope on the traditional concept of bicycle wheel design by introducing the first disc wheel. They continued their exploration into aerodynamics of wheels with the first tri-spoke wheel in 1992.

In 1994, Mavic adopted the concept of a “wheel system,” using the philosophy that a wheel could be designed for optimal performance if all of the components are specifically designed to work with each other. Mavic’s Cosmic was the first wheel to be designed under this philosophy and was introduced in an aluminum version and a carbon model. Today, 15 years later, the Cosmic wheel continues to be a reliable mainstay in Mavic’s stable of wheel offerings. And CycleOps Power is proud to have our PowerTap hub accepted as a component in the tried-and-true Cosmic Carbone.

The Cosmic Carbone Pro and SL models are both available with PowerTap 2.4. The PowerTap 2.4 is a wireless PowerTap with a 12 mm alloy axle and carbon alloy hubshell, weighing in at 416 grams. The wheels boast 52 mm deep-section carbon rims with Mavic’s Isopulse technology. Isopulse Technology creates a stiffer wheel by radially mounting the spokes on the freewheel side and mounting them in a two-cross pattern on the opposite side. This yields greater efficiency due to better transmission of power.

The Cosmic Carbone Pro PowerTap comes with a light, all-carbon rim. With its tubular tire, this wheel is best suited for racing. Its deep profile makes it ideal for flat road races and crits and time trials and triathlons.

The Cosmic Carbone SL PowerTap features the aerodynamics of a deep-profile carbon faring with the convenience of an alloy clincher rim. The Cosmic Carbone SL features several of Mavic’s key technologies, including: MAXTAL, an alloy rim material which is 30% stronger than the traditional 6106 aluminum rim material; SUP technology, which eliminates shuddering during braking; and UB Control, where the sidewalls of the rim are specially milled to create a higher coefficient of friction for a powerful braking surface. The Cosmic Carbone is an excellent choice for a rider looking for the aerodynamic advantage of a deep-dish carbon wheel with the convenience of an alloy clincher rim.

To learn more about Mavic, visit their website at mavic.com.