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
@Minion, @Buck Rogers
I was going to suggest these too. I have a pair; the rim is 23mm wide, which spreads the tire out more and reduces the chance of pinch flat. Also it's pretty grippy. You can buy the rims now, and build up handbuilts. I'm running mine now with the Open Paves. The factory HED C2 wheels are lower spoke count which you probably won't want for cobbles. I think they also have a "clydsedale" option for a beefier rim. If my Nemisis wheelset ever gets un-stuck from the FedEx warehouse in Ohio where it's been stuck for 48 hours I'll be able to offer a comparison of the HEDs and the Nemisis, which are going to be shod in the tubular Vittoria Paves.
@Buck Rogers
Not sure but I think the Excellights are lighter and probably not pave-grade.
@Nate
What HED rims are you guys talking about? The Ardennes series? Do any come in more than a 28 spoke count? I am searching but cannot find any.
@Buck Rogers
I have the factory Bastogne model, which is now one of the Ardennes models, think it's 24h/28h. The standalone rims are called C2. They come in 24, 28 and 32h. Google search here.
@Buck Rogers
This is just my opinion, and you guys seem to run a lot more exotic gear than I do so here goes.....Here in tthe TN/Ky country side we have a lot of chip seal/gravel pavement with glass and radial wire debris along the sides just for good measure. Among the folks I ride with, those with the high TPI tires flat more often than those of us on budget rubber. I only flatted twice in the last year, once w/ a piece of wire, and second only because I hit a hole in the pavement and pinched a flat. Lucky I did not bang the wheel out of round..still shaking my head on that one. Anyway the Vittoria Rubino Pros serve me well from the standpoint I spend more time riding, less time changing flats on the side of the road. Incidentally, my son ran some cheap CSTs that had to be all of 30-45 TPI, rode the same rides as me and did not flat over the last years. I just upgraded him to the Rubino Pros this year and so far everything is cool.
My wheels are not high tech, but what I like about American Classic's is that they are trouble free, and stay true despite the crappy roads I ride. I have also got a pair of Vuelta Corsa Lite's on my "rain bike" that are also bomb proof. Again, I am just looking for a nice balance between economics, function, and trouble free-riding.
Good luck as you find your own balance. The cobble ride sounds really cool, maybe it will be in my cards someday.
@Buck Rogers
Should have also said this: If you are searching "Ardennes" you'll find HED's factory wheels. To find the rims you have to search for "C2" which is HED's trademark for their wide rim technology. The C2 rims come in clincher or tubular.
@Nate
NICE! I'm liking the HED Belgium C2 wheels (what's not to like? They even have the word Belgium on them in cool Belgian colours). Still would love a 36 hole count for the pave' but these seem to be pretty strong with a 32 count. Might be headed (pardon the pun) in this direction for the pave' wheelset.
Nate: Are you riding the Keepers Tour and are you using these wheels?
@GottaRideToday
Where in KY/TN? I lived in Adams, TN and rode there and out the Angel Gate off of FT Campbell quite a bit when not deployed over the last 3 years before moving to TX.
@Buck Rogers
Not doing the Keepers Tour unless I win the lottery between now and then. The Nemesis (that "these wheels" you are referring to?) -- I've wanted a pair for a while, found some, and rewarded myself for enduring an Arenbergesque last month at the office. Plus the budget situation being what it is in California, the roads I ride are getting worse and worse.
@Nate
Sorry about the wheel confusion. I was referencing the HED C2 Belgium rims and what you think of them: Their sturdiness and would you ride P-R on them if you had to go with a clincher wheelset?
@Dr C
I just ordered a Vittoria Rubino Pro Tech 28mm clincher, I'll let you know how it looks. Cheaper than the Contis and if they really measure 28mm they will be my go-to Roubaix tire. As I said before, I believe for Roubaix bigger is better, lower tire pressure for a smoother ride on the stones and less chance of pinch flat.