In a message dated 9/9/02 5:33:27 PM, GPVB1@cs.com writes:
<< Many wheels today are heavier than many of the wheels of 1982. >>
I've been wondering about this for some time. Has anyone weighed just the rim from a modern "ultralight, climing specialist" prebuilt wheel, such as Mavic Helium? Are they much below 400 gm.? As light as a Fiamme Ergal, Mavic GEL 280, etc.? (I'm REALLY asking; I don't know.) If they are this light, and can deal with the tension of an 8-10 speed dished rear wheel, with reduced spoking, technology has indeed progressed. If, however, since total wheel weight is all that is ever specified, the rim is 400gm or so (as I suspect it might need to be), and all the weight reduction is in the hub and the deleted spokes, it seems to me that there has been a sacrifice of low rotational inertia in favor of more cogs. Remember "an ounce on the wheel is worth two on the frame"? Granted, all this makes not much difference, but are more gears an easier sell?
Best regards,
Wes Gadd
Unionville,CT