Pictured is a DT Swiss freehub with all its guts. Yep, it really is that simple. I didn’t even need any tools for this disassembley. Two springs and two drivers that are serrated in opposite directions with 18 teeth per driver. That’s 18 points of engagement propelling you forward when you push on the pedals.
Her at the MLW world headquarters in Reno, NV wheels get built and shipped all over the country. All wheels are custom built to customer specifications and while there are lots of rim and hub choices I though I’d let you know the most popular choices. So here is what the comtetiton is riding.
The past year the most popular road wheels were White Industry hubs with Velocity A23 rims. White Industry offers quality made in the USA, cartridge bearing hubs with a verity of drillings and are available with Campy or Shimano cassette splines. The Velocity A23 is one of the new wider profile road rims available today. It’s wider profile matches tire width for a more aerodynamic wheel and gives the tire a more natural shape. I build these wheels with alloy or brass nipples and any where from 20-36 spokes depending on the rider and their application. Cost is about $740.00, weight is about 1500g both depending on spoke count and options.
Across all mountain wheels (geared, SS, 29er, 26, 6bolt, C/L, rim brake-yes people still use them) Chris King hubs with Stan’s rims were the best selling. While other rims have tubeless capability add their yellow rim tape and removable core valve and Stan’s rims have mass appeal. The King bling: ringdrive freehub engagement, 5 year warranty, made in the USA, a rainbow of colors, multiple drillings, environmental awareness, precision bearings. They come in all kinds of configurations so prices and weights vary.
As the red headed stepchild of the bicycle racing world cyclecross wheels can’t go unmentioned. All kinds of hubs were used with Velocity’s new cross specific tubular. Most riders sentiments “Just get me on a pair of those Major Tom’s!” Oh ya they are that good. This is a wider, stiffer tubular rim to accommodate wider cross tires and deal with the rigors of cyclecross. No more gluing up a 32mm cross tire to a 20mm road rim. The wider profile with a gluing channel makes for a bigger gluing surface, giving the tire a better profile. Cost $80, weight 440g
Major Tom
Shimano XT QR 6 bolt or centerlock disk hubs $100 pair. Have your next wheels built with these hubs and your choice of rims from Satn’s, Velocity, WTB or DT Swiss.
The Stan’s Arch features Stan’s BST for better tire performance. When paired with Stan’s yellow rim tape and removable core valve they are unmatched in tubeless offerings. Arch 26″ and 29er rims for $66.
Order a complete wheelset with XTR centerlock disk hubs and get a $30 shipping credit. Choose from QR front/rear hubs ($400) or 15mm front/QR rear hubs ($410). Built with your choice of rims from DT Swiss, No Tubes or Velocity. Laced with silver DT Swiss butted spokes and your choice of alloy or brass nipples. Get ‘em while they last!
Hubs waiting for your order
U.S. Rim maker Velocity is now producing their newest rim profiles in more colors. The A23, Blunt SL 26″ and 29er are now available in classic Velocity colors (reds, blues, greens orange…etc). MLW will be building wheels with all of these rims and a variety of hubs. The A23 is a wide profile, aerodynamic road clincher. The Blunt SL is a lightweight, tubeless compatible, disk brake mountain rim. Also the Velocity Major Tom, a cyclocross specific tubular rim, is coming in silver or gold. Get your color on!
A23 colors
Blunt SL colors
Start the new year with new wheels from MLW. Handbuilt bicycle wheels have lighter rims making them faster, can be built with a variety of quality hubs and are built with just the right spokes to suit your specific needs. Happy New Year!
9mm thru bolt, 15mm thru axle, QR
If a traditional QR and a thru axle hub had sex the thru bolt would be their offspring. By eliminating the shoulder of the QR axle the larger thru bolts work with QR dropouts and provide a stiffer thru axle like connection. Available in front or rear versions.
What's on your Christmas list?
Bullards Bar
Since there is no skiable snow yet here in the Tahoe area I guess I’ll just keep riding my bike. Of course I also have time to build you or that special someone on your Christmas list some custom wheels.
