topolino wheels - Page 2

Michael, OK, I'm ashamed about considering the wheels in an attempt to keep up. Most likely, I
wouldn't buy them (I'm riding Mavic Open Pro's) but the idea of less weight makes sense. I've
handled some Zipp 303's in my LBS but they are tubular rims. That's why I was exploring the
internet and saw the Topolino wheels. If I were to really buy into this, I'd get the lighter
wheels, the Zipps.

Lanny "Michael" <bournem@okstate.edu> wrote in message
news:a78359e9.0303060930.343d334@posting.google.com...
> I have a question. Why must someone who wants a set of "fancy" wheels try to justify their
> purchase through their technological advantages. Honestly I am not here to argue technological
> advantages with anyone. It is OK to desire a set of wheels because you like the look of carbon
> fiber or you want a set of kevlar spokes but do not try and tell anyone that these make you ride
> faster, handle better, or track straighter. That's the old, "My shoes are faster than your shoes"
> argument we all heard in kindergarten. It's not the shoes that make you fast people, its the legs.
> I personally have a set of Chris King hubbed Mavic Open Pros (Laced with black spokes to match the
> hubs and rims, for purely asthetic reasons) on one of my bikes and a set of Bontrager Race X-Lites
> that came on my other bike. Both are just fine wheels, and I get about equal performance out of
> either. The Bontrager's look cooler and I expect my others to last longer.
>
> What I am trying to say is if you want fancy wheels buy them for their looks and don't be ashamed
> of that. If you don't like silly low spoked wheels don't buy them and leave people alone who like
> them and their slightly more difficult service.
>
> What it is important to understand is the behavior that goes along with purchasing boutique
> wheels. People are not "tricked" into buying harder to service boutique wheels through marketing
> campaigns it is just that some people have a willingness to pay a premium price for fancy wheels.
> It is the same reason people buy cars like Jaguars with inferior reliability and higher service
> costs, purely asthetic and image reasons. The "best" is a relative term and needs to be defined
> based on the consumer and the product attrbutes they desire, i.e. what is best for one person may
> not be the best for another.
>
> Anyway, my two cents.
>
> Michael Bourne
>
> bournem@okstate.edu
>
> "Lanny R. Levenson" <LannyRLevenson@mediaone.net> wrote in message
news:<b44rrt$ac7$1@bob.news.rcn.net>...
> > I'm dreaming of light wheels and came a cross Topolino wheels www.topolinotech.com
> >
> > and wondering if people have used them and what their experience has
been
> > with them. I'm riding Mavic Open Pro CD with a Campy 10 setup (about
12000
> > miles and still true as the day I got them). Would these wheels be
good
> > for everyday riding? I have seen the Zipp 303 wheels but they are
tubular
> > and a lot more $$ and I'm not sure if they are worth the cost/bother of tubulars.
> >
> > Lanny

"bfd" <bfd853@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:9411a749.0303051044.1ae4a6@posting.google.com...

hasn't this been "done" a million times?

>. With regard to the "myth" of lower rotational mass,

Its true that it exits, but perhaps a myth that it makes any difference.

<snip - Ah I see, thats what you are saying with many words and numbers

On Wed, 05 Mar 2003 19:25:34 GMT jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org wrote,

>When I see spokes made of "Carbon Fiber for Stiffness... and Kevlar for Toughness" I wonder whose
>leg they are pulling. These two materials have distinctly different elastic properties, making them
>somewhat like spokes of aluminum and steel sandwiches. The aluminum would not contribute either
>stiffness nor toughness because the "stiff" steel would bear all the load before the aluminum was
>even mildly stressed.

I would take that as a poor way of saying that the carbon is for structural strength (stiffness of
the wheel) and the kevlar is to protect the carbon from damage, making it tougher.

I can't similarly translate "dampen road vibration" to something plausible.
--

Ignorance killed the cat. Curiosity was framed.

"Dave Johnson" <djohnson+rbt@spamblocked.com> wrote in message
news:ff6d6vsk64gl4h3hn8lgtot99nq4egr358@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 05 Mar 2003 19:25:34 GMT jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org wrote,
>
> >When I see spokes made of "Carbon Fiber for Stiffness... and Kevlar for Toughness" I wonder whose
> >leg they are pulling. These two materials have distinctly different elastic properties, making
> >them somewhat like spokes of aluminum and steel sandwiches. The aluminum would not contribute
> >either stiffness nor toughness because the "stiff" steel would bear all the load before the
> >aluminum was even mildly stressed.
>
> I would take that as a poor way of saying that the carbon is for structural strength (stiffness of
> the wheel) and the kevlar is to protect the carbon from damage, making it tougher.

It is the best way of saying that the carbon is there to slow down the creep of the kevlar.

--
==================
Kraig Willett www.biketechreview.com
==================

jobst.brandt@stanfordalumni.org wrote,
>
> >When I see spokes made of "Carbon Fiber for Stiffness... and Kevlar for Toughness" I wonder whose
> >leg they are pulling. These two materials have distinctly different elastic properties, making
> >them somewhat like spokes of aluminum and steel sandwiches. The aluminum would not contribute
> >either stiffness nor toughness because the "stiff" steel would bear all the load before the
> >aluminum was even mildly stressed.
>
> I would take that as a poor way of saying that the carbon is for structural strength (stiffness of
> the wheel) and the kevlar is to protect the carbon from damage, making it tougher.

It is the best way of saying that the carbon is there to slow down the creep of the kevlar.

I think it is just like the Spinergy PBO's design. They use a plastic coating to protect the carbon. Spinergy states that the spokes can handle scratches but if the plastic is penitrated or cut through then the spoke should be replaced.

This design looks like it uses the Kevlar to coat the carbon (and also use it to form a bladed spoke).

So the original comment is correct but it is not a leg puller but simply the truth. The carbon is the load (or should I say tension) bearing material and the Kevlar simply protects the carbon (add toughness). Spinergy solves the same problem using a plastic coating instead of Kevlar.

JBP

"prestonjb" <usenet-forum@cyclingforums.com> wrote in message
news:3ec9853a$3_3@news.chariot.net.au...

> It is the best way of saying that the carbon is there to slow down the creep of the kevlar.

That sounds familiar:

http://tinyurl.com/c6ct ;-)

No carbon that I know of in the PBO/SPOX spokes, either.

--
==================
Kraig Willett www.biketechreview.com
==================