Floating out of Los Angeles in 2009 is a new wheel brand, Hermes Sport. The brainchild of Alex Webster, these wheels represent what he’s trying to accomplish with his company: bring top-tier racing products to the masses.
Following their first wheelset, the 5omm deep Sport Aerodynamics, the Levitators tip the scales at a claimed 970g and retail for just $1,499, which should make them very accessible to the amateur racing enthusiast with a job. Here’s the specs:
- Front Hub: Tune Mig 70, 20 hole
- Rear Hub: Tune Mag 180, 24 hole
- Rims: Hermes Sport 20mm Lightweight rims, tubular only
- Spokes: Sapim Laser, 20 in front, 24 in rear
- Lacing Pattern: Radial front, 2-Cross rear
- Wheelset Weight (tubular): 970g
- Rider Weight Limit: 185lbs
- MSRP: $1499
More pics and info after the break…
Of the brand and the wheels, Webster says:
“I wanted to improve the accessibility of competitive cycling as an amateur sport. Racing wheels have traditionally been a prohibitively expensive but necessary part of any racer’s arsenal, and we started this company to rectify just that. Our new product, the Levitator, is aimed at tackling the ultralight wheel market, and bring a sub-kilogram wheelset closer to everyone’s reach. Our committment is to bring to market a variety of bicycle wheels, each tailored to the specific demands of cyclists everywhere, while at the same time building a top-notch support base through us and our dealer network. We hope that the Hermes Sport brand will become an icon of quality and practicality in the years to come.”
They also offer a 50mm deep carbon-rimmed wheelset in tubular ($1,049) and clincher ($1,225). All Hermes Sport wheelsets have a 6 month warranty against defects.
Here they are out on the town on what looks like a Rapha Continental rider’s bike.
