2010 Trek Preview: Wheels
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Hoops is a big story for 2010; not only are color-matched Bontrager Aeolus designs available as spec on the TTX and Madone, they’re available aftermarket to match your existing bike, in alloy clincher (and carbon clincher on some models) or tubular.
For 2010, the wheels make massive design changes. Most obvious is the departure from a paired-spoke design to a more traditional spoke pattern; radial front and two- and three-cross rear. “With a slightly wider rim, the reasons for having paired spokes went away,” Bontrager hard goods product manager Chris Clinton said. The hubs have changed as well, going to a three-pawl system, with a larger drivering, allowing it to handle higher load. The hubs have slightly higher flanges as well.
The depth options of the Hed-designed and tested Aeolus remains a 50mm, 65mm and 90mm option (it’s the 50mm that is available in a foam core-supported aluminum clincher). All rims are produced in Wisconsin at the Trek factory, then shipped to Hed’s production facility in Minneapolis to install the aero skin and balances the rim before it’s sent back to Madison for build.
Finally, and most visibly, the wheels get those color options, and if you wanted ‘em Trek’s three national distribution facilities means you can get them within just a few days. The 10 color options? Red, yellow, orange, silver, green, pink, yellow and three shades of blue. We’ve seen how popular Zipp’s ZedTech color design option has been for Zipp, so we expect this to be equally successful, if not more so, since the price point will be so much more attainable for so many.