American Classic is celebrating 35 years in business, and founder Bill Shook has always done things just a little bit different. His latest take on industry trends is a unique design for Boost hubs, and we got him to explain it in person. Stay tuned for another post showing off their new goods! (NOTE: If you’re viewing this on mobile and the video isn’t showing up, turn the phone to landscape, or click here to watch on YouTube)
I am skeptical about this… Wider hub flanges combined with offset rims allows you to have a wider bracing angle and still have equal build tensions. Differences in ” rim twist ” are likely immeasurable and lifespan would be no different.
Overall a proper boost set up combined with an asymmetrical rim is stronger, stiffer and more durable.
I suspect this pitch is all marketing spin to explain why American Classics is behind the times and cutting corners to save costs…
I definitely don’t think his reasoning has anything to do with marketing. He just had to redo his hubs to make them boost compatible. It’s a completely different she’ll no matter what. He really believes what he is arguing.
That said, I don’t agree with him. You choose a maximum spoke tension differential (by testing or anecdotal evidence or history or a combination), you try to get the maximum bracing angle for the right side, and then you put the left flange wherever it needs to be for your given maximum allowable tension differential. This gives you the laterally stiffest wheel.
Regardless of tension difference left to right, unless you have paired spokes (and we don’t really want that), you’ll get a very slight sinusoidal tracking of the tire on the ground. The rim won’t care if this tracking is slightly to one side. So I call BS. But I’m sure he did the math so I’d love to see it.
“Overall a proper boost set up combined with an asymmetrical rim is stronger, stiffer and more durable.” It would be stiffer and stronger, not likely more durable and it would also weigh significantly more which would slower, harder to pedal and a heck of a lot less fun to ride. Not all Boost wheels are made for hardcore enduro – weight is still very important.
The WTB 29″ i29 rim Asym which would be a reasonable comparison to the WIde Lightning rim is almost a half pound heavier (200 grams) – per rim. Thats a full pound of rotational weight… have fun riding that 🙂
A few things: 1) the public can’t buy Wide Lightening rims individually, so there’s that and 2) Wide Lightening Rims are known for being pretty easily dented. American Classic certainly makes some lightweight rims and hubs, there is no denying that, but accessibility plays a large part in popularity, and at $900 for a set of alloy wheels, many people will just go with cheaper carbon options.
Dave, how do you present your test data in a 2 minute video standing in an expo booth?
did he tell you he’s never tested this in a lab?
Have you been to American Classic and seen their test lab?
His theory on bracing angles is sound. And they key is to try to equalize the spoke tension on both sides of the wheel. Dynamic forces are the only ones that matter on a bicycle wheel.
This is the right way to build a Boost hub.
American Classic hasn’t been a go to brand in ages, and much of Bill’s comentary is unsupported from a data standpoint. Just old school thinking that’s long been eclipsed.
I had an American Classic seatpost on my old Trek 8900. Came stock with it. Seatpost’s black coating flaked off in weeks and if ended up bending shortly after. I wasn’t much more than 150lbs and wasn’t a hardcore rider then by any means.
Since then I’ve seen more failures or issues with the brand than any other major name. Bill’s a good human being, met him once. But his knowledge is 20 years old at best.