Which way to the Shimano factory?
Photo ©: James Huang
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Shimano's line of road wheels
Photo ©: James Huang
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Shimano wouldn't say how many wheels
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When we say 'hand built'
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Spokes are loaded, hubs are ready to go.
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A Shimano employee carefully mates the rim
Photo ©: James Huang
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Ok, so builders have access
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Wheels are fully trued and tensioned by hand.
Photo ©: James Huang
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The truing stands look low-tech
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Dial gages help builders achieve
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Spoke tensions are carefully measured…
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…and tensiometers are regularly calibrated.
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Each wheel is catalogued
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The Malaysia factory
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Where does this go?
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The Dura-Ace build room
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Chances are this area is just slightly cleaner
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Dura-Ace wheel builders
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Shimano claims its C24 aluminum-and-carbon clincher rim
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Dura-Ace hubs are loaded up
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It looks confusing
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Dura-Ace spoke nipples
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A Dura-Ace wheel checking station
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The Dura-Ace wheel building stands
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A computerized station
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