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American Classic 350 Road Wheelset: A new classic
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When Bill Shook decides to set a precedent in terms of weight and innovation, bigger name wheel manufacturers better watch out. The American design guru has created a conventional looking wheelset exhibiting not so conventional performance - at a weight that is substantially lower than other wheelsets. Adrian Simpson gives the low-down.
American Classic is a Florida-based producer of high-end road and mountain bike componentry, well-known for their innovation in design and creativity but with performance always in mind. Bill Shook, a highly respected and prominent figure in cycling circles, heads the design team and is responsible for the creation of the 350 Road Wheelset.
Under the scope
The front hub is a one-piece forged aluminium design, with 4mm wide flanges, claimed to weigh a mere 68 grams. Upon removing the end caps, I noticed that the cartridge type bearings are set as wide apart as can be. A split, floating aluminium axle resides within the hub shell that allows for the provision for an external grease nipple.
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The rear hub is a very attractive, very retro, high flange design and also a lightweight at 225 grams. It features four sealed cartridge bearings with a new ratchet system of six oversized pawls that engage simultaneously. The pawls are placed towards the outer diameters of the hub, away from the centre, which has been designed to maximise leverage.
Flange spacing on the rear is fairly narrow compared to other hubs, measuring 47 mm wide. With the drive side closer to the spline than normal and the non-drive side more central, this is likely to reduce stress on the drive side spokes, a common cause of spoke breakage.
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Both hubs come standard with American Classic Cr-Mo skewers, with the option to upgrade to titanium. The quick release lever is simple in its design and user-friendly, contoured to fit your hand comfortably and enable secure closure. Stainless springs and knurled steel contact points grip the forks well.
The CR350 rim is constructed from a Nibium-Rhobium alloy, claimed to be more corrosion resistant than other alloys. As the name implies, these hoops weigh a mere 350 grams each or a good-sized scotch fillet steak, depending on how you measure things, with a machined sidewall and a rim depth of 19mm. Noticeable is the braking surface being not as deep as with most conventional rims, measuring 8mm compared to typically 10mm, so brake pads need to be adjusted perfectly.
Spokes are double butted for strength and screw into custom-made spoke nipples, also designed by the Shook-man.
On the Sydney pavé
After all necessary adjustments were done it was time to get out on the road. On went a pair of black, 23mm Michelin Axial Pros to complete the Gothic look.
The first thing you notice is how light these wheels are. Losing half a kilo compared to my training wheels is always welcome - sudden weight loss without the need for dieting will make any bike feel more responsive.
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On the more demanding pinches, I did notice some flex in the front (using 28 spokes), so the 32 hole option may be a better choice for those close to the recommended weight limit. No signs of those unwanted noises that sometimes accompany light aluminium wheels popped up, although I did notice the nipples were well lubricated to avoid the problem occurring.
Normally such featherweight wheels would not be suitable to endure Sydney's harsh pavé, so the real test was in the wheels' ability to stay true. I didn't go out of my way to try and destroy them, but at the same time, they had to put up with the punishment that I would usually give my bullet-proof training wheels. After three weeks of solid riding, the both wheels have held up, with no need for adjustment.
The verdict
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Overall, I found these wheels to be very impressive; reliability over the test period was not an issue. Given their weight and perceived stiffness, these wheels would present an ideal road racing companion for riders who have a penchant for climbing.
At 175 grams lighter than a pair of Mavic Ksyrium SSC SLs, there is a recommended rider weight limit of 180 pounds, or 82 kilograms for the metrically inclined. Not surprising then that the use of a 24 hole set up on the rear is discouraged - and is not covered under warranty. The use of a master spline for the cassette body and the need for a slightly deeper braking surface would be my only areas for improvement.
Weighing just 1355 grams, the 350 Road Wheelset is one of the lightest available. With so many pre-made wheels now on display, manufacturers are having to "rethink the wheel" if they're to succeed in the fiercely competitive hoop businesss. Which is exactly what Bill Shook at American Classic appears to have done to great effect.
Photos
Images by Cyclingnews / Anthony Tan
- Black is black - but you can get 'em in silver too
- The front hub is a one-piece forged aluminium design, claimed to weigh a mere 68 grams
- On the more demanding pinches, there was some flex in the front (using 28 spokes), so the 32 hole option may be a better choice for those close to the recommended weight limit
- Black nipples are custom designed by the Shook-man
- The rear hub features four sealed cartridge bearings with a new ratchet system of six oversized pawls, which engage simultaneously
- The braking surface is not as deep as with most conventional rims, measuring 8mm compared to typically 10mm
- Standard are American Classic Cr-Mo skewers, with the option to upgrade to titanium
Weight: 1355 grams (wheelset only, excluding skewers)
Hubs: Available in black or silver, with Shimano or Campagnolo splines
Rims: Available in 700c clincher version in black only
Drilling combinations: 16, 18, 20, 24 or 32 hole (front); 24, 28, 32
or 36 hole (rear)
Price guide: $199.95 (front), $299.95 (rear); custom builds $25 extra
per wheel; Titanium skewer upgrade $30/pair (USA)
Pro: Stiffness, lightweight, responsive road feel, low drag, well-balanced
Con: Lack of master spline, hubs could be sealed better, narrow braking
surface
More information: American
Classic website, American
Classic online store
Cyclingnews Rating: 
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