There was a time when bicycles were lovingly handmade by artisans who themselves loved the sport more than those for whom they built the machines. Lugs were filed to become Luggs; chain and seat stays were beautifully chromed for durability despite the grams it added to the frame’s final weight; spokes were chosen for their purpose and laced to hubs and rims in a pattern that suited the specific purpose the wheel was intended to serve. Throughout the process – from building the frame to manufacturing of the components – extra care was taken to make every element of the bicycle beautiful; these bicycles, when you are in their presence, radiate La Vie Velominatus.
As was customary at the time, components would be pantographed and frames repainted and rebranded, leaving behind little evidence of their origin. But hidden in the components and frames were symbols that the manufacturers stamped into their wares to preserve their identity; Colnago their Fiore, Cinelli their C, and Campa their Shield. These symbols have come to hold great meaning within the sport and we of a certain ilk scour the photos of our heroes’ bikes for evidence of their existence.
For a variety of reasons including cost, proprietary tube-shapes, and repeatability of production, these practices have largely died away in mainstream bicycle manufacturing; in fact, nearly every element in the art of bicycle building that requires attention and skill is slowing being eliminated from the craft. Ahead-set stems have replaced the need for a carefully adjusted headset and stem, sealed-bearing bottom brackets and hubs have eliminated the subtle touch required to hold a race in place with one hand while tightening the assembly with the other. By and large, the machines and riders are stronger than the terrain they race over, leaving little practical need for the attention to detail and customization that once came as a matter of course.
There is, however, one magical week of racing where the terrain is still stronger than the riders: the cobbled classics of de Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris-Roubaix. This is the one week during which the Pros still require highly customized machines and we, as fans, can scour the photos of our heroes’ kit, looking for the symbols tucked away in the components to discern their origins. One such symbol is the brass badge affixed to the valve-hole on Ambrosio rims.
These rims are chosen by the Specialists for their strength on the stones regardless of what wheel sponsorship obligations might exist within the team. Their mystique is further deepened for those of us living in the States because they aren’t available here. It follows, then, that the Golden Ticket, as I call it, is something I’ve coveted for as long as I can remember (which, admittedly, isn’t very long and, upsettingly, keeps getting less long) but have never had a good enough reason to justify procuring from Europe. But Keepers Tour, Cobbled Classics 2012 provided the perfect justification to go about finding a set and I wasted no time in doing so. Upon arrival, the rims spent the better part of two weeks sitting in my living room or next to my bed, patiently waiting for me to pick them up and rub my thumb over the badge, just to reassure myself they were still there.
Not long after the rims arrived, I excitedly loaded a picture of Boonen in the 2010 Ronde and turned the laptop to show my VMH.
Frank: Hey, what do you see.
VMH: Boonen. Goddamn, he’s a stud. Don’t let me too close to him; I can’t be responsible for my actions.
Frank: What about his wheels.
VMH: What?
Frank: Don’t you see? He’s got my rims.
VMH: You can’t possibly know that.
Frank: Openly shows his exasperation by groaning audibly and rolling his eyes. Yes, I do. Check it. You can see the Golden Ticket on his back wheel. Its obvious as shit. What’s wrong with you?
VMH: Sighs, pours another glass of wine. Exits stage left. Hopefully not for good.
*Coincidentally, on the same day that this article was being written, Inrng published a similar (better) article on a related subject of hand-built wheels. Well worth the read: The Dying Art of Wheelbuilding
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View Comments
@Nate
Without a doubt. And they HAVE to be the green ones. Yes, they come in Rule #8 compliant black but that's like buying a Bianchi in anything other than Celeste. They are the Ronde tire of choice.
@Oli
Just saw this.
So my 1992 Mavic Open CD4 rims with Dura ace 8 speed hubs would work with a current day dura ace 10 speed cassette? I had no idea that one could do that.
They are 36 spoke and super strong, just a bit old. Might be a spare set of wheels for my P-R ride this June.
@Mikel Pearce
That depends who's gonna build them and how you gonna build them.
If you're looking for a strong,durable wheelset for years to come I'd go with Nemesis rim each time.Crono F20 rims are lighter and more flexy.They also have thinner walls.I remember though that older models of Crono were a bit heavier and stronger.I think it's got to do with thickness of the rim walls.Modern models seem to be thinner.
Nemesis rims are definitely stronger and can take a higher spoke tension.If you want a 'do it once do it well' wheelset I'd recommend Nemesis.
@Gianni
Sounds fucking delicious! Any chances of including the mayo?
Honestly though to meet you personally would be awesome,especially with your sense of humour however at the moment it looks very unlikely for me to be there.
As for Frank and his tubbies I'd only add that life's too damn short to ride anything else.
Now tell me did he really convert one of his bathrooms to a tubulars cellar?
@Mikel Pearce the Crono's are light, light, light. I've seen it recommended that they are only suitable for riders weighing less than 80kg. I'm over 80kg and have raced on Crono's. Not sure I'd want to be riding cross on them though
Odd anecdote to add wrt Pave's. I ordered a few pairs of Pave tubulars and received 4 tracking numbers.
Each tub came in it's own box, which was large enough to fit all 4 w/o issue.
Inefficient, or reverence?
@Gianni
Instead of "it uses the lotion or it gets the hose", Frank will be chanting, "it folds to the base or it tears the tape..."
@Marko
They are indeed - which seems a bit of a retrograde, given I was going to get Conti 28's for max air volume at one stage - that said, I also need to keep up with you studs between the hallowed sections
I was watching an old YT of the Paris Roubaix the other night - 1086 I believe - classic - there was section in the Trench where the right hand side of the road was missing for about 4 feet - a bunch of 4 in a break approached it at speed, and bunny hopped it like it wasn't there, followed by the support car which promptly fell into it and crashed.... I think 24 vs 28 argument is irrelevant in such circumstances
@Dr C
We're properly fucked, aren't we?
@TommyTubolare
Great, thanks. I'll keep that in mind. Now I just have to find a source for Nemesis rims in Canada.