american classic cr-420s. ON A CROSS BIKE!

[althegud1srtakn]

i picked them up off ebay for a little over $200. they're an older model, used obviously, with only 16 spokes in the front and 20 in the rear, which makes me kinda nervous about sticking them on a cross bike, but they're just so damn sexy i had to do it. also i only weigh about 130lbs.

first off, these are the lightest wheels i've ever owned. they're also incredibly responsive, and very stiff vertically. they could be a bit stiffer laterally, especially on the front, but they're still pretty freaking stiff. the bladed spokes are about as thin and wide as i've ever seen spokes come, and the rims are pretty deep, so you catch crosswinds like a kite, but that's to be expected. i still think it's worth it for a cross bike as deeper rims seem to hold up better to abuse.

the bearing still roll super smooth, and the engagement of the rear hub is pretty quick for a road wheelset, and feels very solid

one weird thing is that the section of the rim meant for braking is pretty thin, i'm even considering filing off part of my pads to get a bit of a better fit.

i ran them through all kinds of crap today and they're still perfectly true and show no signs of braking, i just hope they stay that way

[SKullman]

I'd ride them, the bearing are inexpensive and easy to replace.

My buddy who's 200lbs races on a set of 420s 24/28 on the road and they are solid.

[althegud1srtakn]

i've gotta say, it's not the bearings that have me worried. those rims are thin as hell and there's not a lot of spokes, but so far so good!

[robcycle]

ATGOAT, where did you ride? Buttermilk? Sometimes I take the fixed cross bike over there, and man is it fun! :D

We should do the lower section of Buttermilk, the floodwall, and the Manchester Slave Trail, and then have some brews at Legend or Richbrau. Hell, I don't know anyone else with a cross bike :rolleyes::p

-Rob.

[althegud1srtakn]

ATGOAT, where did you ride? Buttermilk? Sometimes I take the fixed cross bike over there, and man is it fun! :D

We should do the lower section of Buttermilk, the floodwall, and the Manchester Slave Trail, and then have some brews at Legend or Richbrau. Hell, I don't know anyone else with a cross bike :rolleyes::p

-Rob.

which trails are the floodwall and the manchester slave trail? i have a feeling i know which trail you mean by the floodwall, but i'm thinking i may never have even been on the manchester slave trail. but hell yeah, we should go for a ride! you good this weekend?

just one problem tho, i don't turn 21 'till may :eek:

[robcycle]

Working 12's this weekend. Post ride drinks at my house.

The floodwall starts at the Manchester climbing wall (just west of the Manchester Bridge) and goes on the floodwall to 14th/Hull street (by Mayo Island), and then between the wall and the river down to the 95 bridge. The Manchester Slave trail picks up from under the 95 bridge and continues east to the boatlanding, about a mile.

-Rob.

[althegud1srtakn]

Working 12's this weekend. Post ride drinks at my house.

The floodwall starts at the Manchester climbing wall (just west of the Manchester Bridge) and goes on the floodwall to 14th/Hull street (by Mayo Island), and then between the wall and the river down to the 95 bridge. The Manchester Slave trail picks up from under the 95 bridge and continues east to the boatlanding, about a mile.

-Rob.

well shit, i've never been on those trails! had no idea they were even there. when aren't you working?

[robcycle]

The Floodwall and Slave trail aren't choice single track, but the view is great, and when added to Buttermilk or the parallel fire road, it makes about a 13 mile loop from my house, with more than half being off road. All in the middle of the city :D Where it really shines is on cold, rainy days. You can ride the fire road and floodwall just fine, and I believe I'm the only person who rides the slave trail, so it doesn't get torn up. I guess the reason it really rocks is that there is no one there. Just you, 50' over the fall line, with the city skyline across the river. Nothing like it. Oh, and its because its the perfect route for a fixed cross bike. Flowy single track, fast non-paved sections, and a nice spin home to a $2 slice :cool:

-Rob.

[althegud1srtakn]

hell yeah, i'll have to check that out. check your PMs