On my regular jaunt through all the *colnago* stuff on ebay, I chanced upon a C-40 with wheels called *Neutrons.* Price given for these wheels was something like 900 bucks.
Now. Really. Surely that's a joke. I have a set of wheels from about 1975, 36-hole, three-cross, Record HF hubs with Ergal rims, and there's no way those Neutrons are significantly lighter than these wheels. I'd be willing to bet money that my wheels are lighter than the Neutrons. More robust too. I bet those Neutrons have a handful of bladed spokes, and if you break one or two, you're walkin' home. Of course, to prevent this problem the rim will be heavier, but, at that point, what exactly have you gained?
I know we've been around on this before. But besides the very real pleasure I derive from exposing an emperor without his clothes, in a mildly droll post like this one to like-minded listers....is it not a form of highway robbery to charge a grand for wheels that probably aren't as light, or as practical, as a set of wheels made nearly 30 years ago? Moreover, wheels one can easily build for under 150 bucks with NOS rims and lightly used hubs...ok, under 200 bucks.
I just could not believe my eyes. I can't decide who's more culpable: the company that would design, make, and sell these, or the weekend racer who would buy them....and for those who think I'm a hopeless retrogrouch (which I am), just try a set of 36 hole Ergals laced to Campagnolo Record hf or lf hubs with some nice stainless spokes. With Vittoria Open Pro Corsa CX TT seta tires, or continental 250 Sprinters at 160 lbs. Mmmmmm, mmmmm. Doesn't get any better.
Charles "good retro wheels are still the best" Andrews SoCal
(I'm riding from Marina Del Rey to the Queen Mary and back tomorrow, via Palos Verdes. Anyone here who'd like to ride with me, e-mail me)