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New Tubular-Like Road Wheels, Race Hubs from Velocity USA

Written by Tyler Benedict
4 Comments
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velocity-2011-a23-road-bike-wheelset

Velocity USA’s new A23 wheelset pairs their existing A23 rim with all-new Race Hubs to create a ‘cross-, crit- and road race ready 1,400g wheelset.

What differentiates these wheels from others are the new hubs. The rear hub is designed with a 51% larger drive side flange height providing “precise tension, allowing for a symmetric wheel that is stronger and stiffer than a rim laced to a ‘traditional’ flanged hub, optimizing power transfer.”

Velocity says running a 23mm wide tire with the A23, riders can get tubular ride qualities while retaining the convenience of a clincher, with claimed benefits including increased cornering abilities especially at high speeds without sacrificing rolling resistance.

Click past the break for specs on the wheels and hubs, plus more photos…

velocity-2011-a23-road-bike-rim-profile

Specifications on the A23 Wheelset:

  • Rim – 426 grams
  • Pro Build – 1400 grams
  • Pro Build uses 20F/24R spoke count with Sapim CX-Ray spokes and alloy nipples

velocity-2011-race-hubs

Specifications on the Race Hub:

  • Front Hub – 78 grams – available in 20, 24 and 28 hole drillings
  • Rear Hub – 256 grams – available in 24, 28 and 32 hole drillings
Tyler Benedict
11,282 articles

Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com, where he’s been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for almost two decades. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel and ride in new places.

Based in North Carolina, Tyler also loves the Vanlife & family adventure travel and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part and off-grid adventure.

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voiceofreason
voiceofreason
14 years ago

What a bunch of BS.
Tubular-like ride from their clincher rim? How? From a different flange size? What!?

Any tubular feel you get from a clincher is going to be front the tire, not the hub! or even rim. I mean maybe if they have some very innovative rim-tire bead interface, you might get some change in ride quality, but come on!

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Marc Basiliere
Marc Basiliere
14 years ago

Reason,

The thought here is that the wider (23mm) rim imparts a tubular-like ride quality. HED’s Ardennes, which I’ve been riding for several years now, make similar claims. While it’s been a while since I’ve ridden tubs, the ride quality of the HEDs is fantastic, they seem to roll better than garden variety Mavics, and they can leak down as far as 40psi before a stop is needed- something I’ve taken advantage of several times here in the thorn- and glass-littered Southwest. I imagine that, with a similar profile, the A23s will have similar ride qualities.

marc

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Matt Stapleton
Matt Stapleton
14 years ago

The wide rim is the future of wheels. I have ridden the Hed Ardennes and will be riding the Velocity next week. The Hed had Hutchinson Road Tubless on them, rode them at 80 front, 85 rear,I weigh 182 lbs. They ride like butter and handle as well or better than a tubular.

I ride Fulcrum Racing 1’s, which I really like, but the Ardennes takes the handling to another level.

Don’t knock it until you ride it, it is a game changer.

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RBS
RBS
13 years ago

Has anyone ridden these yet? Are the hubs (aside from the flange size) much different from their regular road hubs? How would this Race Hub compare to say a DT240 which is what I have on my bike right now? I’m looking to build up a new set of wheels and I’m very happy with the DT240/Mavic combination so far. Velocity claims this eliminates the need for an offset rim, but what if you used this with an offset rim?

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