Christmas comes early to Wheel Fanatyk as we add several long awaited models and styles of Ghisallo wood rims and a stylish warmup top.

(1) Palmeroni – A perfect replica of turn-of-the-century tubular style rims to support the semi pneumatic tires of the period. If your bicycle is a safety between 1898 and 1930, this may be the restoration ticket. The rim is 30mm wide and 20mm deep, with a 700C circumference. I only received 10 rims in 36 drilling, so don’t delay.

(2) Pista – This slightly narrower, round profile tubular rim is now available in 32 and 36 drilling.

(3) Sport 650 – Some of the most elegant bikes of the recent era are being built around the famous 650B wheel size, the EU city bike standard. We now have a beautiful wood rim to match in both 32 and 36 drillings.

(4) Corsa – Ever since the Corsa was beefed up to 400g, we’ve been meaning to stock it in 32. Finally, they’re in. This lovely profile, reminiscent of the Lobdell-Emory rims of the 6-Day Era, is great for rim brakes or track bikes.

(5) Ghisallo warmup tops are Italian made, feature a luxurious, all cotton fleece body and robust tri-color cuffs and collars. Stylish silver embroidery on front and back make this top a true collectible. We’re stocking five sizes that run one size smaller than US custom.

Sleek, stylish, timeless.

I’m 5′ 11″, wear a men’s 42 suit and generally fit garments labeled “large.” XL is an excellent close fit for me and XXL would be best over several clothing layers.. We’ve marked these down from their normal $120 to $98 through year’s end. Quantities are limited.

Wish your favorite cyclist “Buona Fortuna” this holiday with our classic Sanctuary Medallion from the Madonna di Ghisallo Chapel. And, of course, don’t forget a gift certificate so your recipient can make his/her own plans for a special set of wheels for the New Year.

Here’s hoping this Season brings you fine riding and family time.

[Note: this is #6 in a series of 20 tips to be published during 2009.]

For those of you that don’t know the fastest way to build a rear wheel, here is how. This method is standard practice for many but still undiscovered by most. Building from right to left leverages the inconvenient truth of rear wheels to speed up the process. In fact, this method makes rears faster and easier to tension than fronts.

Step 1, begin by lacing your wheel in the normal fashion. Make sure each nipple is loose but tightened down the same distance as its same side neighbors. Step 2, now tighten your drive (right) side nipples evenly until they become snug. Continue until this side becomes tight, about 2/3 of finished tension. Make sure left side spokes are still loose.

Whoa, you may say, “the rim is now centered over the right hub flange and does not run true.” Yes, but no worry, this is exactly what you want. Read more →

The 2009 Interbike trade show in Las Vegas ran over three days last week (Sep 23-25). As usual, there were wood rims sprinkled around the Show. As usual, the general media missed them entirely. However, those displays received loads of compliments.

Ortlieb USA showed an elegant SOMA city bike. Ghisallo Sport rims were laced to a Son generator front hub and a Chris King cassette rear. The spokes were tied and soldered for extra twinkle.

Cream and wood look darned good.

Boo Bicycles made its debut with bamboo frames from Vietnam. The workmanship was dazzling. Designs are by Nick Frey, recently graduated from Princeton. These are serious machines!. Two of his bikes wore Ghisallo rims. An unforgettable combination.

www.boobicycles.com

Steel wire makes great spokes. Take it from someone who’s made a career of making and celebrating steel spokes. The wheel needs of a bicycle are beautifully met with steel wire, and one glance at the cycling world offers ample proof. Let’s examine why this is true.

Tried and True.

Why is steel wire so well suited to the bicycle wheel? Read more →