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
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
I was sufficiently moved by Frank's piece to take a photo the moment I got home. Apologies for tyre choice. Those wheels have done Ronde cyclosportive a few times with no issues. And my arse is much fatter than Frank's.
@j.king
"You gotta purty badge there son"....
While I am fully aware of Ambrosio's History in that part of the world, what are the views on the Zipp 303s that have tried to break with tradition and modernize and aerodynamicize these Classic races? Cancellara and others have had success on these- although more due to man than the Wheel. I would be scared to take my own 303s to such places- Ambrosios -- I would look forward to it.
@jaja
What's wrong w 4 season conti's?(pardon my ignorance on this one)
@mblume
Right up there with taking the Kaapelmuur out of de Ronde.
@gaswepass
I don't think it's anything wrong with the tires themselves, but rather shame that some fancy tubs aren't on there instead of standard clinchers.
@eightzero
I was speaking to G'rilla about that very thing last time he was down here in PDX. Seattle and Portland both have shops where you can pay a professional wrench a pretty reasonable rate to sit there and walk you through repairs and teach you how to do them yourself.
I think that's a pretty neat idea, because you can pay specifically to learn how to service your BB (for example), while skipping all the basic stuff you already know (swapping tires, adjusting brake calipers, etc.). If you lack access to a cycling sensei with a shop/tools it would be a good investment, I think.
@gaswepass
It was in reference to Frank's comment on j.kings tyre choice in the photo of the Ambrosio rims on the cobbles of Flanders. I agree with you - Continental are a sound choice either for Flanders or English country lanes in winter, which increasingly resemble those old photos of post WW1 races where the tarmac has been bombed to smithereens.
@frank
I figured that would be the answer. I don't mind paying for the right tool for the job, IF it is the right tool for the job. Been watching ebay for one, they hold their value so well that I doubt it will be an issue if I decide wheel building is drudgery.
@frank
Thanks for the links (thanks to @oli as well). Is The Bicycle Wheel also worth getting hold of?
If it all goes horribly wrong, I'm assuming you can pull it all apart and start again?
I've seen pictures of the Pros riding carbon rims on the cobbles, is that not recommended for us mere mortals? I've been hankering after a pair of these Koolstof 38CXs - laced in a two cross front rather than radially for cyclo cross and more robust road applications.
@Nate
Ah missed this, earlier. Whilst it may not be in keeping with the tradition, how would carbon wheels hold up?