They look superb, I'm jealous, it's incredible how light these old wheel sets are.
No, I think it's incredible that modern riders are prepared to accept heavy rims and tyres.
My contemporaries were obsessed with light wheels, and not without reason. Revolving weight is more significant than static weight (eg: the frame) when accelerating, and how do you win at track and road racing? With rapid acceleration - it's even helpful in TT's.
Wired on rims have to withstand the 100+ psi pressure needed for speed work, sprint rims don't need the same strength (and hence weight) because the pressure is retained within the tyre.
But sprints and tubs need a lot of skill and hand work, which is not compatible with making money, so we've been persuaded to put up with kit which is basically inferior to that which was used in the past.
They look superb, I'm jealous, it's incredible how light these old wheel sets are.
No, I think it's incredible that modern riders are prepared to accept heavy rims and tyres.
My contemporaries were obsessed with light wheels, and not without reason. Revolving weight is more significant than static weight (eg: the frame) when accelerating, and how do you win at track and road racing? With rapid acceleration - it's even helpful in TT's.
Wired on rims have to withstand the 100+ psi pressure needed for speed work, sprint rims don't need the same strength (and hence weight) because the pressure is retained within the tyre.
But sprints and tubs need a lot of skill and hand work, which is not compatible with making money, so we've been persuaded to put up with kit which is basically inferior to that which was used in the past.