American Classic CR420

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Thomos
I am going to buy the american classic cr 420 wheelset with sapim cx ray.. what do you think about these wheels?

Here's a review on them by Pez Cycling News.

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=767

I just got a set of CR-420's in the mail yesterday and they are beautiful. They weight 1430gm naked and I'm anxious to try them out, hopefully this coming weekend. They're all black, but not bladed, just normal black spokes.
Got them on ebay for $475 US.

Thomos said:

I am going to buy the american classic cr 420 wheelset with sapim cx ray.. what do you think about these wheels?

Curious to know whether you are happy with your 402's. I ordered a pair today.

I have a set of CR-420's with the standard black spoke. After 5 weeks I broke two rear drive side spokes within 3 days of each other.

Luckily my LBS got AC to supply new DT spokes and have the wheels rebuilt. They are slightly heavier but much stiffer and responsive then before.

As for the sapim cx rays I cannot comment but hope they are stronger then the standard spokes.

I ride with a team of pro and semi-pro riders and they all seem to ride something from the American Classic line-up. I'm looking forward to getting a pair of the 420's or 350's, or both.

They are looking good so far (had them for 2 days only though). I have noticed a little squeaking and I'm guessing it's not weight related (I'm 150 lbs). Will be taking back into the shop next week for a few adjustments.

jslopez93 said:

They are looking good so far (had them for 2 days only though). I have noticed a little squeaking and I'm guessing it's not weight related (I'm 150 lbs). Will be taking back into the shop next week for a few adjustments.

I am expecting mine this Friday....can’t wait. Were you recommended to use any particular type of brake pads with them?

Deskovic said:

I am expecting mine this Friday....can’t wait. Were you recommended to use any particular type of brake pads with them?

Honestly I'm a noob with bike mechanics,which I why I'm so greatful to have an awesome LBS. There the only shop in y area that offers lifetime service to the owner and just crazy personal support.

If you have any specific questions please feel free to post or PM me and I'll be sure to ask them and pass them on to you.

[img]goldengoblet.orgUntitled 0001 0006.jpgOpen ↗[/img]

I have no firsthand experience but when I was in the market for new wheels I was giving American Classics serious thought until I started looking around. I read about numerous hub problems, a few poor build problems, and one or two rim problems (one was a crack, the other had a spoke pull through the rim)

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=16426#16426
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=18780#18780
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=17461#17461
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=10740#10740
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=10745#10745

From my club's yahoo group:

Quoted post said:

I had a spoke pull a chunk out of an AC hub. I won't use them again.

I love VeloMax wheels. I recommend them. "Speed Dream wheels" is a great
option. Local shops are also a good choice, especially with a club discount.

Quoted post said:

In answer to your question the wheels were AC 350 sprints. Absolute junk!! Out of the box they were out of round and out of true. Had to have them trued 4 times in 1500 miles where upon my lbs mechanic said some of the spokes were bottomed out and the wheels were quickly becoming untrueable. I really wanted to like these wheels as they were great climbers and would quickly spin up. Unfortunately they were nothing but trouble even though I only 158lbs.

Quoted post said:

I also was looking @ American Classic, even after reading some negative comments regarding their quality. Then, I went to the LBS, and the owner showed me a brand new AC wheelset that was out of round, AND had a defect in the rim - straight from the factory.

Your mileage may vary, but that was enough to persuade me to go with another brand.

I feel pretty much the same as him. I'm sure there are people with great experiences, and others with negative ones. However, I find it very hard to put my money into a company that doesn't seem to have a grip on quality control.

jslopez93 said:

Honestly I'm a noob with bike mechanics,which I why I'm so greatful to have an awesome LBS. There the only shop in y area that offers lifetime service to the owner and just crazy personal support.

If you have any specific questions please feel free to post or PM me and I'll be sure to ask them and pass them on to you.

[img]goldengoblet.orgUntitled 0001 0006.jpgOpen ↗[/img]

Got my 420's a few days ago and took them for a spin through the Italian Dolimites. So far I'm very happy with them.

Thomos said:

I am going to buy the american classic cr 420 wheelset with sapim cx ray.. what do you think about these wheels?

Got a pair cr 420's with cx-ray spokes; the rear hub failed after only 500 km; first totally locking up and then spinning freely in both directions; from fixed to no gear. Repaired under warranty; rear wheel flexes a tiny bit under pressure (18 spokes front and 24 rear); they are really light and aero and look good (?!) but I wonder if any of these qualities is of real benefit to me....well,..looks maybe.

Have a set of standard build AC420s that I purchased this year to replace a set of Velomax Orions. Supposedly, AC have new hubs on their 04 wheels that are stronger and don't have the issues like the earlier hubs. Not 100% sure about this I believed I heard this from someone. I have about 1700 miles on mine so far and it is holding up quite well. The are very light, aero and stiff. The only thing I didn't like about the wheels is that the machined braking surface is very narrow. My pads are wearing unevenly because the brake surface is smaller than the pad surface.