Velocity is perhaps best known for their colorful Deep V rims, but they were also showing off two new rim offerings at Interbike this year – their Major Tom, a new ‘cross tubular, and its clincher sibling, the A23.
Photos and specs after the break.
A23
The A23 is a 23mm wide clencher, which Velocity says can be used for cross or on the road. At 1400g, for the “pro build” (using Sapim CX Ray spokes and DT Swiss alloy nipples) they are better suited as training wheels on the road,
The wheel can be built in 32, 28, 24, and 20 hole lacings. In a 20/24 set-up, Velocity says the wheelset comes in at 1400 grams. The wheels would be comparable (and seem to be Velocity’s answer to) the HED Ardennes, which have become popular for both ‘cross and road.
The A23 rims is just shy of 20mm deep at 19.5mm, and will come only in the black color pictured above. The house branded “race” hub is laced 20/24 to the rim with Sapim CX Ray spokes on the $800 “pro build”, and set up 24/28 with DT Competition double butted spokes on the $550 “comp” build.
Major Tom
Similar to the A23, Velocity also showed us the Major Tom, essentially a tubular version of the A23 wheelset. The tubular version jumps into the 23mm alloy tubular market along with the tubular HED Ardennes. The 11mm braking surface should be more than enough for ‘cross, and a “pro build” 24/28 set weighs in at 1500g according to Velocity.
The rims are built in Australia and wheels are assembled in the US, using Sapim CX Ray spokes for the “pro build” and DT Competition double butted spokes on the 28/32 “comp build.”
The Major Tom “pro build” will retail for $800 and the “comp build” for $550.
