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.

Our New Continuum™ Series

We here at Topolino have decided to revisit our roots with the production of an innovative steel spoked wheelset series tentatively named Continuum™. This radical departure from our existing lineup of carbon composite spoked wheels will allow cyclists to experience the benefits of our through-the-hub spoke routing and enhanced aerodynamics at a more affordable price point. But rest assured these are not your father’s steel spoked wheels…

Our through-the-hub spoke routing allows the Continuum’s spokes to remain bladed from nipple to hub, producing a significantly longer aero bladed section than traditionally laced wheelsets. The high spoke stress, too common on conventional bladed spoke wheels, is significantly reduced. No more broken spokes! Ride quality is also enhanced through the wheels’ tangential spoke lacing.

The 1,490 gram Continuum™ VR5.0 wheelset, with 50 mm-deep tubular carbon rim is tentatively priced at $1,490 per pair. While the 1,540 gram Continuum™ AR30, with a 30 mm-deep aluminum clincher rim is tentatively priced at $790.

Compliant, stiff, aerodynamic, lightweight, affordable, and handmade in the USA – the Continuum™ series is poised to become a legend.

Our 363 Gram Project Wheel

Our new project wheel, debuted at this year’s Interbike, is one of the lightest, if not the lightest bicycle wheel ever produced. Weighing in at an almost beyond belief 363 grams the 700c front wheel is nearly 100 grams lighter than most popular aluminum rims -- it is seriously light!

But, as our founder, chief engineer, and fearless leader Rafe Schlanger says, “The wheel is no fragile museum piece, it has all of the sturdiness one would expect in a Topolino racing wheel.” Twenty of our signature through-the-hub carbon/Kevlar hybrid-fiber spokes and a robust, low-profile, carbon rim create a wheel that is deceptively strong and flex free. Lightweight is not, in this case, synonymous with delicate.

The hub, also a prototype, relies heavily on our race proven Carbon-Core technology featured on over half of our current product lineup. Full-ceramic bearings and some other top secret tweaks make this wheel truly high-end. A complete wheelset is slated to weigh about 840 grams – talk about lust-worthy!

The wheel is still in the prototype phase serving as a test bed for a variety of new advances currently in development. But, as Rafe says, “We anticipate bringing these technologies into our lineup in the future.” Because who wouldn’t want a wheelset that weighs little more than three of your favorite cycling magazines?