Topolino Launches Two New Wheel Models

For the first time in over seven years, Topolino is launching two new models with a special new composite spoke material. The new TrueBlack spokes have 50% greater carbon content, giving the wheels greater lateral stiffness and responsiveness. This performance comes at an amazingly low weight, as the proprietary composite spoke technology has a superior stiffness-to-weight ratio that simply cannot be matched by conventional metal spokes. Beyond these great performance characteristics, the TrueBlack spokes are all-black, lending a truly different look to the Topolino new wheel models.

TrueBlack™ CTR2.0 - Smooth, Durable and Incredibly Responsive.
The TrueBlack™ CTR2.0 wheels are both fast and functional. Weighing a mere 1360 grams per pair, they can handle everything from racing to ultra-distance training. These wheels climb like a gazelle, ride like silk and are built to last. Available January 2010.

TrueBlack™ ATR3.0 - The Most Aerodynamic Clincher Wheelset Yet.

The TrueBlack™ ATR3.0 balances enhanced aerodynamics with stability and control in changing cross-wind conditions. The reduced spoke count minimizes wind resistance, while the 2:1 rear lacing ratio provides truly balanced spoke tension and increased lateral stiffness. Available March 2010.

The new TrueBlack models complement the existing line of Topolino wheels, which are the highest performing, most technologically advanced wheels made. All are handcrafted individually at the Topolino workshop in Bethel, Connecticut. Topolino is proud of its craftsmanship and invites you to see all our wheels firsthand at an authorized Topolino dealer. Find your nearest dealer via our website http://www.topolinotech.com/dealers/index.php and keep them spinning!

Topolino selected Company of the Month by the Connecticut Technology Council

The Connecticut Technology Council and its Innovation Pipeline Accelerator program has selected Topolino as its Company of the Month. This recognition is offered to a select group of high potential and most promising companies.

Topolino is proud to part of the tradition of New England craftsmanship. Being recognized by the people that watch what is happening in the wider world of technological innovation is really cool!

While using the latest technology to create lightweight, tough, and incredibly smooth riding wheels for discriminating cyclists our hands are among the most important tools in the factory.

The state of Connecticut has a long history of industry and technological leadership in the United States. The Connecticut Technology Council represents a community of some 2500 technology companies. From the mills of the industrial revolution to the aerospace industry of today, Connecticut has always played a leading role in technology driven industries. This small New England state is also home to other innovators in the bicycle industry including Thule, Cannondale and some of the country's top custom builders like Richard Sachs.

Carbon Core wheels utilize our proprietary carob/Kevlar spoke material and technology to make a true ride quality difference. Dealers can capitalize on Topolino's technical advantage to provide personal guidance to their customers and position themselves as technology leaders in their local market.

Pez Luvin the Carbon Core

While you're getting your daily dose of Pez to check on race reports, and the Daily Distraction of course, make sure to click your way over to the review of the CX2.0 Carbon Core Wheels.


Charles at Pez is a fan of Topolino wheels and for this review delved into the technical nuances that make the CX a treasured piece of riding equipment by its growing legion of fans.

Great value, terrific ride and cool aesthetics are attributes that we like to hear touted!






Among the the nuances Charles mentions include the external ribbing on the in-board portion of the rear hub drive side that increases strength. Having ridden Topolino wheels before Pez totally gets the carbon/kevlar spoke construction benefits. The combination of carbon and Kevlar provide toughness so anyone can ride the wheels on any road while keeping everything light.

On top of that, the carbon and Kevlar combination provides road vibration damping unlike any other wheel - sort of like having your cake and eating it too!

"I don’t mean for you to go out and ride like an idiot… But shit happens. And these are simply that whacky combination of light weight that also happens to take crap like a 1600 gram set of thrashers…"



Charles points out the fact that while you can buy other wheels with carbon in their spokes they either cost multiple times the price or have had some durability issues recently and are perhaps undergoing a re-think.

In Charles opinion, "There are loads of wheels in the $1200-1300 range you’ll find the CX 2.0… But not many that have the visual pop that these do as well as the combination of weight, stiffness and buzz kill. Add durability to the mix and you have a pretty nice set up."

You should always check Pez out for the real story.

For the full story of the CX review visit www.PezCyclingNews.com

Thanks Charles!

CX2.0 tough enough for Cross - Smooth on the pavement.

Greg Martin is a Connecticut cross racer who
rides Cat 3 for Independent Fabrication and uses his Topolino CX2.0 wheels year round for both his road training and cross racing.

Greg dropped by the other day to have us check his wheels for wear after his season of racing.

We're happy to say that the wheels came through in excellent shape.

Greg's association with Topolino started back in 2001. As Greg relates his Topolino experience :

"In2001 I had the opportunity to ride the very first run of Topolino wheels. Since they were a local company and I found them to be very approachable I went with them. Nearly eight years later I am once again riding Topolino wheels in the form of the new Carbon Core CX2.0.

All of the positive attributes of those first Topolino wheels I rode several years ago remain; they are light, super durable, and ultra comfortable. The new Carbon Core hub design and years of refined upgrading has enhanced these great qualities even further in the CX2.0 wheels.

I am a 6'1" 35 year old Cat3. I am not a pro and never will be so wheels need to work, be priced within reasonable range, and give miles, even years, of trouble free service for me to buy them. The Carbon Core CX2.0's meet every one of these personal standards for me, and this was even while racing the New England cyclocross scene. The low weight of the wheels, combined with the dampening qualities of the spokes is perfect for cyclocross. They were raced over roots, rocks, in mud, through sand, and even crashed twice.

I brought them to Topolino yesterday to have them checked out before they take on road duty. The wheels were still straight, no dents, and the hubs turned as smoothly as the first day. If they can survive this test so well they can do anything!"

-Greg

Even though Topolino wheels are not covered by our warranty when used for racing on the road or for cross it's gratifying to know that they are tough enough to take a racer's hard use. We really appreciate Greg's praise for our wheels. We couldn't have said it any better!

Greg's not the only one cross racing on on our wheels. Our friends at Van Dessel Sports have been thrashing a set of Carbon Core AX3.0 wheels on their in-house Gin and Trombones racer since the Cross Vegas race at Interbike and have had a variety of folks do very well including taking victory in races back in Van Dessel's home state of New Jersey.

Get out there and ride - your Topolino Carbon Core wheels are waiting for whatever you'd like to dish out and wherever you want to go!

Creating your Topolino Dream Ride

Dream bikes featuring Topolino Carbon Core wheels come in many sizes and styles, but each has one thing in common. Each one of them reflects the independent spirit of the owner and a desire for the smoothest ride possible.

If you want to find a dedicated fitting studio or bike shop specializing in bike fitting that can help you create your Topolino dream ride contact us and we will direct you to the source in your neighborhood.

The exqusite bikes featured here are from KGS Bikes in San Antonio, Texas. KGS Bikes is an example of the kind of place that appreciates what Topolino can do to transform your riding experience. KGS's owner, Kevin Saunders, works with custom builders including Guru, Serotta, and Parlee to create the perfect ride for each of his clients. The fit and build of these Topolino rides correctly meet each client's needs from a physical point of view, and correctly interprets what the client wants in their ride.

Speed, for example, is something that we all crave as cyclists because it's fun to fly along, but it doesn't mean we're all racers. It used to be that riders who wanted a smooth ride had to compromise with a heavier frame and wheels, but that's not the case anymore. If you can purchase a custom frame it is possible to tailor the construction to suit what you like from super stiff to more shock absorbent. You can finish it with components that not only won't weigh you down, but will enhance your riding comfort, speed and pleasure. The Topolino Carbon Core CX2.0 and AX3.0 wheels are what we recommend to do the job best.


Even if you can't spring for a custom frame right now, you can certainly go a long way to improving the ride of your existing machine.

Investing in a professional fit to optimize your position, efficiency and comfort on the bike is a really good start.

Adding a set of Topolino Carbon Core CX2.0 or AX3.0 wheels is the ticket to finishing your ride so you can ride your best and feel great pedaling mile after mile.

Topolino at Interbike 2008

The sign says it all...and Topolino had a strong showing at Interbike this year with the display of its 2009 line.

The new VX4.0-R wheelset drew plenty of attention from attendees with its striking all black finish. It is the lightest addition to the 2009 Topolino line up. It has continuous all black higher carbon content carbon/Kevlar rim to rim continuous spokes molded in our Carbon Core hub and rides on a 40mm highly compacted carbon tubular. The VX4.0-R sub 1100 gram wheelset is trueable and fully serviceable. The ride will be fast of course, but while stiff laterally it will maintain the smooth shock absorbent Topolino Carbon Core ride loved by riders everywhere.

The new Continuum AR3.0 3omm clincher and Continuum VR5.0 50mm tubular enter new territory for wheels by being the first rim to rim continuous steel spoke wheels.
These wheels with bladed spokes and mid to deep section rims open new opportunities to enjoy the Topolino ride and provide aerodynamic options for everyday riding in the AR3.0 and racing in the VR5.0.

Where was Topolino at Interbike? Pretty much everywhere you looked! Outdoors Topolino wheels could be found at the Outdoor Demo with Carbon Core wheels mounted on VanDessel's demo cross bike fleet for thrashing in the desert, racing at Cross Vegas in the wild cyclo-race that featured Lance Armstrong's first race following his offical comeback announcement, and in the USA Crit Finals on the Vegas Strip where our sponsored Calyon team rode to a fine 6th place finish against the finest elite road racers in America. Inside Topolino's own booth was a center of activity where we met with longtime dealers and friends as well as new dealers and introduced all to the VX4.0-R, Continuum AR3.0 and VR5.0, and wowed the crowd with the Bethel Blast project wheels which are targeted for an 860 gram set weight!

Outside of the Topolino booth Carbon Core wheels were featured on Calfee's amazing bamboo built single and tandem bikes, Rue Sports georgeous handlaid carbon road flyers and Look's carbon dream rides. The Carbon Core wheels were also prominently displayed at the Maxxis tire booth shod with their newest road race rubber and at Thule filling the car roof rack display.

Between the Carbon Core and Continuum wheels 2009 is looking like it will be a smooth ride for everyone -- if they're on Topolino wheels!

Topolino Continuum VR5.0 Tubular Wheels Debut

The Continuum wheel series is being released at Interbike 2008. Production for the bladed steel spoke Continuum wheels is slated for late fall at the Topolino Technology HQ in Bethel, Connecticut.

Although steel spokes have been used on bicycle wheels since the 1800's, the choice of spoke material is the only traditional thing about the new Continuum wheelset series. The wheels will be offered in 30mm deep clincher and 50mm deep carbon tubular specifications, named AR3.0 and VR5.0 respectively. To say that these wheels are sexy is an understatement. The 1555 gramVR5.0 wheelset combines brains and beauty at an ultra-competitive price that will have aero mavens, TT specialists, and multi-sport athletes drooling.

As Topolino's chief engineer and company owner, Rafe Schlanger commented, "The Continuum wheels use the same proven hub internals and through the hub spoke technology as our carbon/Kevlar spoked Carbon Core series wheels."

The VR5.0 wheels have the deepest rim section of any Topolino wheels to date. Their bladed steel spokes flow continuously from one side of the rim through the carbon composite hub where they are locked in place all the way to the other side of the wheel. This unique, signature Topolino technology allows for an uncommonly long aero bladed section, and significantly decreases spoke stress at the hub. The topolino design increase durability, and provides superior ride quality achieved through tangential (rather than radial) spoke lacing. The Continuums' spokes act as an integral part of the spoke flange of Topolino's innovative hub shell, and are solidly supported within its carbon composite material.

The VR5.0 tubular has 16 front and 24 rear stainless steel bladed spokes. The Continuum rear wheel deploys its 24 spokes in 2:1 arrangement with 16 spokes on the drive side and 8 spokes on the non-drive side of the wheel. This 2:1 drive side to non-drive side ratio balances the tension of the wheel and increases lateral stiffness. The result is great strenght and power transmission to the road. Continuum wheelsets are available in Shimano 8/9/SRAM, Shimano 10 and Campagnolo 10/11 configurations.

VR5.0 wheelset pricing is yet to be finalized, but is targeted at $1600.00

Just like every Topolino wheel each VR5.0 will be built by hand in the Bethel, CT factory. Coninuum series wheels are expected to be available in February 2009. Dealers will be able to view and order the exciting new Continuum wheels ehen they visit Topolino's Interbike booth this month in Las Vegas.

Ed Cangialosi joins Topolino

Greetings all! I'm Ed Cangialosi. I just joined the Topolino team to provide customer service to our dealers and Topolino wheel fans.

I've been riding my Topolino wheels for a few years now and they have taken me on some great journeys from ripping around the park at the races in NYC and vicinity, to the most comfortable long days ever!

I'm psyched about the 2009 line of wheels that will include the sub 1100 gram VX4.0-R tubular as well as new the Continuum AR3.0 steel spoked clincher and VR5.0 tubular. I am looking forward to getting a set of the VR5.0 tubulars on my TT bike! Thanks to the use of our Carbon Core Hub the steel bladed spokes on the Continuum wheels goes all the way from one side of the rim through the carbon hub to the other side to deliver the same type of great smooth ride the carbon/kevlar spokes do on our Carbon Core CX2.0 and AX3.0 wheels.

If you have any questions about any of our wheels please give me a call or drop me a line directly at ed@topolinotech.com.

Topolino at the races.

What a week for Calyon! One win, a 6^th , and a 16^th place against some of the nation’s best criterium riders in some of the most competitive crits on the US racing calendar.

Topolino has sponsored the Calyon pro cycling team for the past two years – we supply the wheels, they provide the results. Calyon is young professional team based out of Montreal, Canada with the majority of their riders in their early 20s. Having placed well at the Tour of Belize early in 2008 and many early season domestic races, Calyon is a definite force in professional peloton across North America and abroad.

Maxime Vives, one of the team’s sprint specialists, was a bit too fast for the field during the Hartford Downtown Criterium on May 25^th , taking the victory with ease. Max went on to place 6^th in the renowned Tour of Somerville the next day beating the likes of Olympic hopeful Mike Friedman. Only six days later Max placed 16^th (third to the line after the 13 man break) at the CSC Invitational, touted as the ‘toughest crit in the US’. The 16^th place was good enough to best last year's winner, Rock Racing’s Rashaan Bahati, and his teammate Freddie Rodriguez. Truly a great week of racing.

Check out Max at the line in Somerville (all the way to the right).

Meet Our New 1480 gram AX 3.0-T Tandem Wheelset

We have officially entered the world of tandem wheels with the introduction of the Carbon Core AX 3.0 - T. And what a way to enter the market -- at 1480 grams the wheelset is by far the lightest tandem selection for sale today. And at $1,349, certainly one of the most cost effective tandem wheel solutions.

As Rafe Schlanger, our founder and chief engineer, says, “Craig Calfee asked us several times to make a wheelset for his amazing carbon tandem. When a guy who makes sub - 6 lb. tandem frames asks you for a light wheelset, you know got your work cut out for you". We listened and produced a successful prototype that garnered the Craig's praise. This experiment would go on to become the AX 3.0 - T.

The AX 3.0 - T wheelset takes full advantage of our proven though-the-hub spoking and bulletproof kelvar / Carbon spokes to maximize stiffness and vastly reduce weight over a traditional steel tandem wheelset. We were able to balance the rear wheel's spoke tension by adding 50% more spokes to the drive side of the already stiff AX 3.0 road racing wheels. The extra spokes allowed us to retain the super light and durable Carbon Core hub, further reducing weight, but retaining the compliant road feel that has made Topolino wheels legendary.

Sets of AX 3.0 - T's were put through their paces during the grueling 2007 Race Across America with nary a failure in sight. The proof of the pudding, they say, is in the eating -- well, in this case I guess it is in the riding...

Expect more updates soon.