american classic: reviews

New Seatpost

Mountain Bike Action - November 2007

Simple gets it done. The single-bolt clamping and adjusting design is as simple and easy to use as any clamping mechanism we have ever run across. The clamp allows for micro adjusting of the saddle's tilt and fore/aft positioning and side-to-side micro adjusting, which may eliminate the need for some riders to shim their shoes. Heck, the clamp even allows you to reverse the seatpost if you want to mess with the offset. MBA Rating:

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11.07

MTB Disc Wheels

Mountain Bike Action - June 2007

The American Classic MTB Disc Wheelset shaved a pound off our Santa Cruz Blur LT test sled, but the weight reduction was not the most impressive feature of these hoops. They offered a hidden performance boost. The MTB Disc Wheelset uses a deep-section rim that is 22-millimeters wide by 24-millimeters high. American Classic still assemble all their wheels in the good old US of A.

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06.07

Hurricane PowerTap SL

Bicycling - March 2007

In the second season of my love affair with American Classic wheels--the Sprint 350 clincher is the best all-around wheel I've ever ridden--I've discovered a value driven way to get into power training. American Classic's Hurricane wheelset costs just $23 more than Bontrager's Aero PowerTap Race rear wheel, and thanks to thrashing a set of Hurricanes on cyclocross courses, I know these hoops are durable.

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03.07

29er Mountain Bike Wheels

Dirt Rag issue #125

The proof of this pudding was in the ride. Yes, these wheels accelerate faster, and I liked that. I needed that. I enjoyed that. And for cross-country racing, they would be a big asset. They've held up great for 300 miles, some of it jumping off some smaller ledges, heavy g-outs, and the like. And they never felt flexy or weak. - All told, this is a well-engineered set of wheels.

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11.06

Magnesium Clincher Road Wheels

Velonews - volume 35/number 17

The wheels have an incredibly smooth ride, similar to the feel of a supple tubular tire. Whether climbing or sprinting from a corner, the Mags are quick to accelerate. My 150 pounds wasn't able to put a wobble or hop into either wheel over dirt roads and potholes, so I passed them to a couple of 175-pound Velonews staffers who bounced them down washboard descents and over chip-seal shoulders. Throughout our testing, the wheels held up admirably.

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09.06

PEZ's SEVEN Aerios: Ti In The Sky

PezCyclingNews.com

Descending, there was just enough flex to hold the road with a tight grip through endless switchbacks, and considering the high spoke count (28 front, 32 rear) the Sapim spokes at the right tension smoothed out some pretty rough sections of Italian 'pave' too. The build has stayed true after several hundred km more riding, and I've yet to hear a creak or groan.

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08.06

Mountain Bike Wheels

Mountain Biking - volume 20/number 7

American Classic has been making high-quality bicycle components for many years. Bill Shook, the man behind AC, believes that MTB riding is faster and more enjoyable with lightweight and durable equipment. One of Bill's goals a few years ago was to create a lighter wheelset that was still strong enough for competitive cross-country racing.

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07.06

Sprint 350 Road Wheels

Bicycling - July 2006

Taking its name from the company's own 350-gram aluminum rims, these Campy- or Shimano-compatible clinchers are the lightest-per-dollar everyday wheelset we've ever found. They excel as race wheels too--not only because they spin up as quickly as you'd guess a featherweight would, but because the deepish rim wall gives just enough aero advantage.

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07.06

29er Disc MTB Wheels

Mountain Bike Action - July 2006

At 3 pounds 7.7 ounces, the AC wheelset undercuts the stock Gary Fisher Paragon Bontrager wheels by one pound even. With Kenda Karma tires and ultralight tubes, the AC wheelset took off a total of 1-3/4 pounds of rotating weight. The difference in response, acceleration and climbing speed is huge. AC's widely-spaced hub bearings and 32-spoke, cross-three lace easily withstands hard turns and rough descents.

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07.06

420 Road Wheels

Mountain Flyer - number 4, 2006

American Classic's 420 road wheels will definitely make any bike look fast. Is it the 34-millimeter deep aero rims, low spoke count or minimalist hubs? I'd say all three, but the real test happens on the road. The 420s impress with their quick acceleration (the pair weighs a scant 1,455 grams), smooth, firm ride and noticeably faster cruising speeds of about 1 mph when compared to standard 32-hole box section wheels.

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#4.06

MTB Wheels: High-End Wheel Upgrade

Mountain Bike Action - May 2005

Our testers had a little trouble rating the MTB 350s. Not because they didn't notice a difference, but because they couldn't believe it. Riders came back saying, "I must be having a good day, because a wheel can't make that much difference." Guess what? They do make that much of a difference. The MTB 350s are a great upgrade for any trailbike or cross-country racer.

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05.05

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