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EDCO acquires both Paul Lew and FASTER wind tunnel for new USA operations HQ

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EDCO USA Paul Lew Faster Wind Tunnel carbon fiber wheels aerodynamics (2)

Paul Lew has quite the history when it comes to carbon wheels. Dating back to 1989, Paul has been on the cutting edge whether that was on his own, while helping to restructure Shimano’s carbon production, or most recently, as the Director of Technology and Innovation at Reynolds Cycling. Oh, did we mention he also currently serves as an adviser for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration – Unmanned Traffic Management (NASA-UTM) and Skyward thanks to his experience creating and operating drones?

Suffice to say, there aren’t that many people (any?) who could fill Lew’s shoes based on experience alone, which is why it’s a pretty big deal that he just signed on as EDCO USA’s CEO. Lew is joining current EDCO Engineering BV CEO Rob van Hoek, and will head up EDCO USA’s operations which will be based in Phoenix, AZ. Why Phoenix? Well, that happens to be the home of the FASTER cycling performance center which was just acquired by EDCO as well. Not only will the location become the US center for shipping, service, and warranty, but EDCO plans to make full use of their wind tunnel as well with wind tunnel engineer Aaron Ross. From the sound of it, the FASTER cycling performance center will continue their fitting and testing service while making many more benefits available to their customers.

It sounds like it’s only a matter of time before we see new EDCO aero products that will shave even more seconds off the clock…

EDCO USA Paul Lew Faster Wind Tunnel carbon fiber wheels aerodynamics (1)

From EDCO/EDCO USA

Phoenix, Ariz. – June 6th, 2016 – EDCO Engineering BV announced today that Paul Lew will join EDCO Engineering BV as a partner.  Paul Lew, cycling and carbon innovator, will expand and build the company’s line of cycling components, including their high-performance carbon and alloy wheels. Lew will work alongside Rob van Hoek, EDCO Engineering BV, CEO and owner, who purchased the Swiss cycling components company in 2007.
“We are extremely excited to add the vast experience, and creative mind of Paul Lew to our company,” stated van Hoek. “With his contribution we add a key piece to the puzzle toward building a global leader in innovative cycling wheels and components.  It has been my intention to expand into North America, and with Paul’s leadership we can now take our vision to the next level.” A cycling innovator since 1989, Lew has focused on aerodynamic and carbon fiber technologies.  He is best known for his radical Black Hole wheel in the mid-1990s, his breakthrough PRO VT-1 full carbon wheel in the 2000s, and currently his Dispersive Effect Termination aerodynamic wheel designs. Beginning in 2000, Lew designed, manufactured, and operated unmanned aircraft for multiple U.S. Government Agencies. He currently serves in an advisory role for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration – Unmanned Traffic Management (NASA-UTM), and Skyward, a cloud-based drone operations management tech company.

In 2003, Lew re-designed, and guided in-house manufacturing for the Shimano carbon wheel program, and over his career he’s created wheels for Olympic medalists and World Champions. Lew became Reynolds Cycling’s director of technology and innovation in 2008, directing the design and engineering program until his recent decision to join forces with EDCO.

“Joining EDCO means that I am joining an iconic brand with a professional cycling heritage dating back to 1902,” said Lew.  “Under the leadership of Rob van Hoek, EDCO has made a steady resurgence as an important brand in world of professional cycling.  He has a brilliant and curious mind, and he is always pushing for new innovation.  We’re excited about pushing the limits of cycling components together!”

In addition to this role with EDCO Engineering BV, Lew will establish US operation as EDCO USA’s CEO to be based in Phoenix, Arizona. EDCO USA will be a service center, assembly center and American headquarters for the company’s North American operations.

Scottsdale, Ariz. – July 12, 2016 – EDCO USA announced today that it has acquired the FASTER cycling performance center in Scottsdale, Arizona. This will become the headquarters for EDCO USA operations including warehousing, service center and warranty repairs. FASTER was established in 2011, as the world’s first low-speed wind tunnel built specifically for cyclists and cycling manufacturers whose facilities are readily available to the general public.

James Kramer, FASTER’s founder, stated, “I am so proud of what FASTER and our staff accomplished in a very short period of time, along with the contribution we have been able to make to cycling. Paul Lew and his EDCO USA team share the same passion that I have for the sport of cycling and FASTER.”  Lew stated, “James Kramer is a visionary who has enriched the sport of cycling, and he has helped cyclists perform at peak capacity.” 

Paul Lew, CEO of EDCO USA, will oversee the facility as part of his new role within EDCO Engineering, BV. Lew will be joined by Aaron Ross, wind tunnel engineer, and now general manager of both EDCO USA and FASTER. Lew and Ross will be reviewing, revising and improving the wind tunnel hardware, software, and testing technology to establish FASTER as a premium performance cycling facility.

EDCO USA will continue to operate the FASTER cycling center operations Low Speed Wind Tunnel, and World-Class 2-D and 3-D motion-capture Bike-Fitting Studios. In addition, FASTER offers a wide range of services including metabolic performance testing for VO2 max, sports massage, chiropractic therapy, physical therapy, professional nutritionists, bike rental, and coaching.

FASTER was nominated by the cycling industry and voted at the Interbike Awards, “Best Pro Road Bike Shop in America” in September of 2014. In addition, FASTER has been the official cycling performance center of the United Healthcare Men’s and Women’s Professional Cycling Teams since 2012 hosting a winter training camp, as well as performing bike fits and wind tunnel optimizations for all of their team members.

To learn more visit www.ride-faster.com
Images of the FASTER cycling performance center.

 

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Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
8 years ago

Does this mean, they’ll actually build a US presence e.g. distribution? I’ve always been interested in Edco’s products but they won’t even list their products in USD on the website. R&D is great but it needs to be easier to get these products in customers hands.

Crash Bandicoot
Crash Bandicoot
8 years ago

disregard….woops friday-itus, didn’t read past bio on the first pass

myke2241
myke2241
8 years ago

It would be pretty sweet to see Lew Racing branding to make a comeback. Although extremely dated his rims would still be among the lightest

Robin
Robin
8 years ago

Cool. We’ll see what Paul Lew and Edco come up with. Edco does have a cool hub that’s combinable with Shimano and Campy (and I assume SRAM).

Diaa Nour
8 years ago
Reply to  Robin

I know it’s difficult to see in photos, but the edco AeroSport are not the dated Deep-V. They are actually a new and unique shape that is unlike the “V” and “U”. When we tested them with our Ventum One in the wind tunnel they were extremely fast and that’s why we are going to spec them on all our bikes very shortly.

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
8 years ago

Seems all the more visible wheel companies have adopted U shaped design, meanwhile Edco is still using the decidedly old school delta V shape. Curious to see what Lew comes up with because V was summarily dumped years ago for being aerodynamically inferior to the U shapes.

D
D
8 years ago

Except by Lew…

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
8 years ago
Reply to  D

Yeah well, except by Corima either. My comment wasn’t designed to confuse, apparently you missed that part in the very first sentence about “all the more visible wheel companies”, eh? Last time Paul Lew brought a wheel set to market with his name on it was about ten years ago.

Robin
Robin
8 years ago

Note that Reynolds Aero wheels don’t use the now common u-ish shape.

I don’t think we’ll see Lew’s name on these wheels or maybe any wheels in the future.

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
8 years ago
Reply to  Robin

Reynolds and Corima, and now Lew with Edco are really the only in a sea of many that haven’t ditched delta V. I think it was Steve Hed that proved toroidal shapes are faster yeas ago, and most followed suit. I’m wondering why just a few are hanging on to old designs considering the evolution of aero rims. Is this a battle between leading vs. trailing edge theory?

TheKaiser
TheKaiser
8 years ago

In reply to Kernel Flickitov, I think you are right bout the leading edge vs trailing edge thing and also what yaw angles they are prioritizing. I think the sharp edged V shapes can be good in near 0 degree yaw situations. And you can also add Lightweight to the list of holdouts.

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
8 years ago
Reply to  TheKaiser

I think that’s the clarification I was looking for. Delta V isn’t on par unless yaw is at or near 0°. I would add Lightweight to this category too, but you just don’t see them anymore at the Pro Tour level. Lightweights these days seem to be relegated to middle aged men with more money than sense so they have something to talk about at the coffee shops. Lightweights also has me wondering if Paul Lew is going to try and bring back in one form or another the $15k Pro VT-1. That would give the 1%’er gitterati on Lightweights something to think about.

Robin
Robin
8 years ago

Assuming that Lew had a hand in Reynolds’ aero series, I don’t think we can say that Lew is wants to bring back that V. While the Aero series does not have the common U cross-section, it is decidedly not a V either.

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
8 years ago
Reply to  Robin

There’s no assuming, DET (Dispersive Effect Termination) which is featured in the Aero and RZR series is Lew’s design. Closest you can get to delta V by a different name.

gringo
gringo
8 years ago

Funny how they use the tag line ‘Swiss cycling components’ when in 3 pages of press release you dont see any Swiss location referenced…..oh, and the company is legally based in Holland.

why cant people just let products speak for themselves instead of feeding us BS?

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
8 years ago
Reply to  gringo

Design, testing, and assembly in the Netherlands. Manufacturing in Couvet Switzerland. Feel better?

Leanda Cave
8 years ago

These photos are not really doing the Edco AeroSport wheels justice. A lot of science and testing has gone into this NEW, UNIQUE, and VERY FAST shape. From my own personal experience using these wheels vs dated models (I’ve used many wheels throughout my career), I can confidently say they are faster and more aero. These are nothing like the deep “V” and “U” shaped wheels from a bygone era.

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