Wheelworks.co.nz, Handbuilt wheels by Tristan Thomas

These 45mm rims are a reasonably new addition to the Edge lineup, splitting the 38mm and 68mm models. Edge offer all of their rims in three variants: 1.xx 2.xx and a clincher.

The 1.xx is the lightest of the bunch – they use a different layup and less material to make a lighter rim. The 2.xx is heavier and stiff, well suited to heavier riders or abusive riding like cyclocross. The clincher is the heaviest of the bunch but (duh) fits clincher tyres.

For this pair both of the 1.45 rims were below 300 grams and laced to the Alchemy Elf front hub and Ligero SLW rear the pair came in at exactly 1100 grams. Spokes are Sapim CX-Rays and nipples are Pillar internal.

I got this email from Patrick the day after he collected them :-)

Didn’t take long for them to hit the road J

Once I got past riding overly carefully and worrying about every little noise (that all sound so much louder with the carbon rims) and the clicky freehub, was very nice. Felt very stiff cornering, accelerating and hitting bumps but seem to smooth out the rough chip seal – not sure whether to credit that to the rims or the tubs.

Although I wasn’t at anything like top effort I still did two consecutive climbs up makara hill just under my PB. Probably more to do with having had a couple of days off than the wheels but was good whatever the reason. Descending was great too – again was taking it a bit easy but felt very precise through the corners and the brakes felt excellent.