Bill and all,
I saw lots of 24 hole wheels in use in England on the time trial scene in
the early 70s. Many built by Bird Brothers shop. Each wheel had 8 crossed
spokes per side, with one radial spoke in the middle, tied and soldered of
course, and on Campag (thats how they say it over there) high flange hubs.
I believe they called them "Bird Cage" wheelse, but I think I've heard them
called by another name, Spanish Wheels maybe? All the fast guys swore by
them.
They also removed the grease from the hubs, set the cones just on the loose
side and added a drop of oil before the events, they were psychologicaly
faster you know!
While in England in 1973, I rode for CC Bexley, my best 25 mile time was
58:45 on a hilly course on a pair of heavy 36 hole wheels w/ Del Mondos! My
times were improving each week and I made some money on the handicappers!
The racers over there were all helpful, and encouraging. Back then the 25s
were an actual 25.
Peter Weigle
Lyme Ct.
> When were 24h wheels in use (I don't think they were ever prevalent), and
> what were they used for in non-track (i.e.road) applications? The one's
> I've seen are pre-1978. Was rim alloy / extrusion technology good enough
> by
> the late 70's to be reliable for these? Or were they just a super light
> wheel for special applications?
>
> Anybody have any early 70's NOS 24h Italian rims?
>
> --Bill Roberts
> Jacksonville, OR