American Classic Front Micro Hub

Price Paid:  $875.00 at Bikeman.com

Favorite Ride:
American Classic 420

Bike Setup:
Dean custom ti roadbike with wide clearance for 32c tires for dirst roads. I use the AC 420 wheels for fast group rides and road racing.

Summary:
I bought the AC 420 bladed spokes with ceramic bearings and can't say enough good things about them. the speciall BillShook design nipple works great, the aero profile is just what i was loking for. I've had no issues with the front hub as others have, probably becuase i got the ceramic upgrade? they are smooth as silk and I've had them in lots of bad conditions. I weigh 180lbs, use tem for tt and crits, but not 'cross.

Strengths:
they glide so well especially at high spped. i'm always passing people on decents, and have to squeeze the brakes constantly when drafting. very fast.

Weaknesses:
120 psi max on a clincher, but speed mentioned above makes-up for any lack of tire pressure. i like riding them on 20c tires better than 23c. they are still very comfortable.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic open pro rims on Campy record hubs, Zipp 404 (way more money, a but lighter but I'm afraid of riding something worth that much)

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS with AC420 Wheel

Favorite Ride:
Time Trials

Bike Setup:
Scott CR1 Team Issue, DA10

Summary:
AC have a very lightweight design, with very small bearings. If you're looking for lightweight these are good hubs

Strengths:
Light, Cheap, Light, and did I mention light?

Weaknesses:
Endcaps screw directly into the bearings making hub adjstment difficult.

There are no rubber caps to keep dirt and water away from the (sealed) bearings.

I got caught in the rain returning from a race, and my hubs felt like rubbish the next day.

Micro bearings wear very quickly if you get the load wrong. Don't over tighten your QR!

The lack of adjustment and micro bearings

Similar Products Used:
Ultgera and 105 hubs

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
One with big climbs and descents

Bike Setup:
Giant TCR Carbon, Dura Ace/Ultegra, 15 lb.

Summary:
I have ridden a set of American classic hubs hard for over two years now, including the Micro front and the Ultralight rear. I ride them for everything, including a daily commute. I hop curbs, take them down stairs at the train station, ride centuries, etc. These little gems have been no trouble at all. They are weightless, and their small size makes them very aero. They roll effortlessly and the bearings seem as smooth today as when they were new. My wheelset is 1/3 lb lighter than Ksyrium SLs, and I plan to shed another 100gm with American Classics 350 rims.

Strengths:
Weight, strength, durability, aerodyamics, value. You can build a world class wheelset with standard parts and maintain it easily.

Weaknesses:
Not widely available like Mavic stuff, but American Classic phone support makes up for that.

Similar Products Used:
Ksyrium SLs, Dura-Ace, Ultegra

Price Paid:  $70.00 at closeout

Favorite Ride:
Ft. Davis

Bike Setup:
2000 CAAD 4

Summary:
Light, DURABLE and well-built.

Strengths:
Lightweight, sealed bearings that are easily serviced. In difference to the other reviewer, these hubs have BALL bearings of conventional cartridge type. No adjustments are necesary as bearing clearances are set at time of manufacture. The lightweight nature is due to Shook's design intent, using the aluminum axle under compression from the skewer to support the bending loads while the Ti collars support the minimal shear.

Hat's off to Bill for such an elegant design the WORKS!

Weaknesses:
Hard sell to conventional school types.

Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Campy

Favorite Ride:
Blue Ridge Parkway

Bike Setup:
Litespeed Classic w/ mostly Dura-Ace

Summary:
I'm usually very hard on wheels (I usually end up destroying at least one or two a year), but for such a small hub, it's held up very well for the past 5 years that I've owned it. I don't have any complaints about it at all. It has worked admirably and is still as smooth as the day I bought it...
I'm surprised that there isn't any flex out of the hub because it is so light and small, but then again, I've got it mated to a Zipp carbon rim which adds some stiffness. I also only use the wheel for racing, so it is only ridden 50-60 times a year, which could be why it has lasted so long without any problems.

Strengths:
Light weight

Weaknesses:
Lack of adjustment (but then again they've never gone out of adjustment).

Similar Products Used:
Shimano, Gippemme (sp?), and Campy hubs