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!