Bike Setup: Currently have Cervelo Soloist Team, Dura-Ace cranks, Ultegra everything else with Easton Vista training wheels and Am Classic Carbon 58's for racing. Also use HAC4 computer.
Summary: These came on a Trek 5200 that I bought used. I have since sold the bike, but kept the wheels. I have used them in about 10 rides and 15 races. They are simply awesome. They spool up fast and are great climbing wheels. The low weight and fast acceleration make for a great wheel for both road races and crits. I have went down twice with these wheels and got hit so hard at the sprint finish of a road race (dork beside me lost control of his bike) that the rear derailleur was shoved into the spokes and broke the derailleur hanger. And this happened at around 28 mph. The wheel didn't even need truing. All that happened is a nice shiny circle where the spokes were rubbed by the derailleur for several revolutions until I could stop. I also went down hard in another race right before a corner. Front wheel did need slight truing, but it was a fast fix. Bottom line is that these wheels are durable! Light, Fast, Durable and inexpensive compared to Zipps. Other than that truing, I have not had to do anything else to these wheels. I have put around 1700 miles on them.
Strengths: Low weight, Durable, Fast and Aero
Weaknesses: Mine didn't come with Sapim CX-Ray spokes. I have plans to upgrade the spokes this year.
Similar Products Used: Mavic, Easton, Zipp
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Bike Setup: Wilier Izoard
Dura Ace 9 Controls
FSA Carbon Crankset
Cinelli Ram Bar (42/120)
Zero Gravity Brakeset
Look Ergo 2 Ti Post
Selle Italia SLR
Am. Classic Carbon Wheels
Tufo S3 Lite 215 Tubulars (GREAT TIRES)
Summary: I'll skip to the punchline...these are the BEST wheels I have ever used.
Here's why:
These are basically the Zipp 330's that have been reBadged as Am. Classic's. They are the exact same rim. Am. Classic then builds them up using their hubs, which are very nice and easily maintained due to the greaseports.
Weight: Lighter than a cool summer breeze. Mine weigh in at EXACTLY 1103 grams for the PAIR.
Performance: Do to the light weight, these wheels spin up faster than a blender on PUREE. They are very stiff and seem to love hard acceleration (used them for 8 crit races this season). Also, as you might have guessed, when the road tilts upwards these wheels REALLY shine. When you consider the Mavic Ksyium SSC SL's (which are great top end wheels) weigh in at a full POUND more than these, you can understand why the uphills are the Am. Classics' specialty.
Downside: They are moderately deep dish CARBON rims (33mm). Therefore crosswinds are not your friend and braking in wet weather is non-existant. If you have to stop when it's wet out, plan WAY ahead!
Durability: At the risk of jinxing myself, I have been running these wheels for about 1,600+ miles with NO problems at all. I have done numerous crit races and about 6 road races this season on them with great result (the wheels, not me). These wheels just make you feel faster because they ARE faster.
Strengths: FAST, FAST, FAST wheels
Lighter than air
Easy service hubs
Strong Rims
Weaknesses: Wet weather braking
Crosswinds get your attention in a hurry
price (unless you shop eBay)
Summary: I have 2004 A.C. Carbon 38mm Mid V tubulars. After several road races on smooth surfaced-courses, the rear wheel developed a big crack from along one of the visible carbon fiber seams. The wheel was subjected to zero abuse, was not crashed, etc.
I understand that defects occur, but I give these wheels the poorest rating for another troubling factor. The new A.C. hub is extremely narrow, the theory being that the spoke tensions on drive and non-drive sides will be more balanced. Great theory, but the result is that your rear derailleur will hit the spokes in your top cog (25 for me) since the spokes travel almost straight down from hub to rim. I have a standard setup (Litespeed with 10sp. Dura Ace) and simply could not eliminate this problem. My der. is limited to the max, max. amt. of spacers between hub and cassette, "b" screw adjustment maxed (to give pulley greatest spoke clearance), der. hanger perfectly aligned, etc. This is a problem I'm hearing a lot about lately.
I'm not happy to give such a poor review, but my experience was terrible. I'm waiting to see how long A.C. will take to send me a new wheel, but I'm not holding my breath as they were very slow in shipping when new. Hopefully, their customer service/tech. support is a level above the quality and design of the current model carbon wheelset.
Strengths: In the few races where I didn't need a 25 cog (see above for spoke clearance design flaw) and prior to the rim cracking, the wheels were super. They're very fast on the flats and spin up especially well.
Weaknesses: See above for description of rim defect and flawed hub design.
Similar Products Used: Zipp and Reynolds. Neither caused me the problems that these A.C.'s did.
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Bike Setup: Dobbiaco Altec2+ FSA carbon bars, stem, post, Dura Ace, FSA carbon cranks, American Classic carbons and 420 wheelset.
Summary: I just got back from Superweek in WI and raced the 58mm deep section rims in the Monday and Tuesday road races. These wheels are amazingly light, super stiff, and can really take a beating. I am 6'1 and 165lbs and put a little more wear on my wheels than most. As always, there was one hole I kept hitting over and over on Mondays road race. I hit it so hard the first time I thought I broke my rear drop outs. I hit it again 2 more times, like an idiot, that's what happens when you are in the gutter at 45mph cause the pros are pushing the pace!!!!! Anyway, the wheels have worked very nicely. The only maintenance I have had to do is get the rear hub tightened as it had some play when I received it from AC. You can't go wrong with Zipp hubs laced by to silky smooth hubs and built by the pro's at AC!
Strengths: Wound up very fast, light, stiff, great acceleration,
Weaknesses: None so far
Similar Products Used: Zipp and Crane Creek
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