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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@Buck Rogers
First of all sorry to hear about your direction issues.It happens so don't worry and move on.To avoid it study the tire a bit before gluing.A bit of foreplay can do no harm,you know it Buck.
Seriously though in case of Vittorias there's a little arrow showing the rotation direction.You can actually see it on one photo on my folding tubular post.That aside Vittoria label is on one side of the tire only,the drive side of the bike opposite the valve hole so watch for that.
A slight wobble around the valve won't be a problem.Once the tire is pumped and while actually riding you won't feel it so don't sweat it too much.Back in the days I used to ride tubes from Czechoslovakia and USSR and they had lots of bubbles and imperfections all over the place and they were pain in da ass to repair.However above 150 PSI all manufacturing defects disappeared and damn they were rock hard and super fast.Don't ask me about the comfort though but those days that was the last thing I cared about.
In terms of stretching equally it is something that comes when you practice a lot so on a daily basis even shop/lbs mechanic do not get to do it.Despite the qualities not many ride tubies today and people who do look after the gluing themselves.Only PRO mechanics know it exactly cause they go through lots of wheelsets.
To get the right stretch next time use an old method I remember from the past.Map your tire and rim so to speak.Stretch the tire without glue on a rim and pump it up max and leave it sit for 24.After you get back to it pump it up to 10-20 PSI align it properly as you would do exactly if the glue was there.Once you're happy with alignment pump it up again to your typical riding pressure.Spin the wheel and check alignment again,adjust if needed and also look for any imperfections on a tire or a base tape and memorize them.Basically determine how perfect the tire is before the glue is applied.
Once this is done use a soft ball pen,marker or felt-tipped pen and mark the tubular on both sides at the following positions:opposite the valve,three o'clock and nine o'clock.Now proceed to mark the rim in the exactly same places relative to the tire marks.Now when stretching you will know exactly how far you should go on each side as you will simply align the marked areas.When centering you will also see exactly how far each mark on the tubular is exposed on both sides of the rim.To learn I used to do the marks like that on a tire on every second spoke and believe me each time the tubular was aligned to perfection.Over some time you just go with your feeling.
@TommyTubolare
Woah, impressive info there! Man, where do I send the fees that I owe you for all of this amazing advice!
I tend to be a bit OCD in things, pays off during microsurgery but can sometimes bite me in the ass in real life!
Today, everything looks great after switching the direction of the tread and restretching it and then regluing. I think it will be perfect.
Both are now glued and I should ride on them tomorrow for the first time. Really cannot wait.
Thanks again for helping me out with my perfection (imperfection) neuroses! I cannot imagine anyone every being able to explain and help as much as you have so easily and straight forward with such great advice. Definitely saved this thread to my "favorites"!
@roger
If you are planning to build your own wheels in the future investing in Park Tool TS-2.2 would be a good idea.You might find Park Tool TS-2 on sale somewhere I'm sure as they have newer 2.2 model now.
If you are really on a budget they also have TS-8 for home mechanic.
Tacx T3175 truing stand could be your other option or Spin Doctor stand.
If you're not into truing/building wheels get a bike repair stand and you can clean your bike easier and glue your tubs without any problems.
@Buck Rogers
You're welcome mate.No problem.
Hope you will have a great ride tomorrow.
Looking at some nemeses on ebay at the moment, anyone know if '94 8 speed Dura-ace hubs cab be converted to 10 speed? Suspect not but worth asking, they're cheap.
@Chris
Eight speed freehubs are fine with ten speed cassettes.
Do you know what Nemesis means?
@Oli
Great stuff, I was kind of hoping for an answer from you. Thanks.
@brett
+1
@Oli
New term for lexicon:
Velomance - an attraction to a fellow velominati's bike skills that is so strong, it's bordering on love.