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NAHBS 2015: Rolf Gets Colorful with Prima Plus Program, Tries out New Color Coating

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Rolf Prima colored rims ceramic coating stickers (5)

Love Rolf wheels but looking to get a pair that stands out from the crowd? Due to a rising interest in custom colored decal requests, Rolf is launching the Prima Plus Program. Starting with the Rolf Ares, TdF, Vigor, or Elan, customers can pick out one of nine standard colors for a custom set of die cut decals that are made to order. If the decals don’t do it for you, Rolf whipped up a one-off color coated set of wheels just for the show. It’s prototype only for now, but if there is enough interest…

Rolf Prima colored rims ceramic coating stickers (6) Rolf Prima colored rims ceramic coating stickers (1)

 

prima+

For now, the Prima Plus program includes the nine colors shown above for an additional $70 over the price of each wheelset. Each graphic is die cut and applied to the rim on a per order basis. According to Rolf they have the ability to do other colors, though custom options outside of the current range will come with an additional price. As demand continues to increase for custom wheel finishes, Rolf plans to continue to add options…

Rolf Prima colored rims ceramic coating stickers (2)

Rolf Prima colored rims ceramic coating stickers (4) Rolf Prima colored rims ceramic coating stickers (3)

…possibly even something like this. Utilizing a ceramic coating that gives the rim its Robin’s Egg Blue hue, Rolf claims the finished product is no heavier than the standard anodized rim. As it sits, this is just an eye catching prototype for show purposes, but if enough customers voice their desire for something similar Rolf will seriously consider it. Apparently the coating will work for both rim and disc brake rims, but disc brake rims guarantee the color will stay fresh.

rolfprima.com

 

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ChrisC
ChrisC
9 years ago

I’m a fan of Rolf wheels – at least since they got control of the brand back from Trek – but I really wish they would offer centerlock disc hubs…

James
James
9 years ago

Love them! Beautiful wheels, and I would totally buy that prototype (but in a deep blue)!

JBikes
JBikes
9 years ago

Rolf wheels are nice.
Regardless of what people feel of the spoke counts, in my opinion and experience, the “proof is in the pudding”. They simply seem to work.

Slow Joe Crow
Slow Joe Crow
9 years ago

That “Robins Egg Blue” looks more like Celeste to me, which would make for a cool color matched Bianchi.

Devin
9 years ago

@Slow Joe Crow- that’s always the problem with trying to color-match from different companies, they’re never quite the same and it’s usually pretty glaring when they’re next to each other. Even little things like bar tape that’s SPECIFICALLY designed to go with Celeste Green is almost always off. I agree, that would be rad if it worked, but I suspect it’ll be kind of a bummer if you’re looking for exact or even really close color and they just aren’t.

Not to mention the difference in color on a brand new frame vs one that’s seen lots of sunlight and faded slightly. I used to paint a lot of bikes and color-matching is unbelievably frustrating.

neilthemeal
neilthemeal
9 years ago

The ceramic thing is pretty cool (take note Rolf, I’m in Eugene if you need a tester) but is it just on alloy wheels? What’s the price bump, Rolfs alloy wheels are pretty costly as is. Finally, effect on braking and longevity of the color would be he biggest influence.

hjb
hjb
9 years ago

That colour is very very cool. Don’t usually go for super low spoke count wheels like Rolf, but the finishing looks great.

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
9 years ago

Rim brake rims on disc brake wheels is behind the curve these days.

Rich
Rich
9 years ago

@Devin – Totally agree. However a lot of the time, you can’t really blame the companies for the wrong shade of celeste. Even Bianchi themselves can’t seem to agree on the correct shade. All you need to do is compare old Bianchi frames from the 70s to the Bianchi frames of the 90s and then compare them to the latest Bianchi frames. Bianchi themselves keep on changing the shade.

I, like many other Bianchi owners have had issues with color matching components from different companies. Luckily, Fizik, Deda and Speedplay seem to be on the same page currently when it comes to celeste. But a word of warning about Far & Near: They are the only company making celeste hoods for Campy EPS but unfortunately they are much darker and greener than the shade of celeste that Fizik, Deda and Speedplay seem to have decided on. Hudz make a good shade, but they only fit Campagnolo’s mechanical shifters – not EPS.

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