American Classic 420 Black

Price Paid:  $550.00 at chainreactioncycles.

Summary:
Bought Jun 2008 from chainreaction in the UK online and shipped to Australia. Liked them till now (16 months later). Rode <5000km on these wheels in this time without hitting anything so they've had a good life. Oct 2009 a spoke pulled a big crack in the front hub. That's one dodgy hub! have contacted supplier and american classic, I'll report how it goes with them!

Strengths:
wheels stayed true (till hub cracked) and felt nice, light and aero

Weaknesses:
front hub cracks!

Price Paid:  $699.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Colnago CT2, Campy Record 10, Deda Carbons

Bike Setup:
2004/2005 Colnago CT2 HP, Campagnolo Record 10 Ultra, Deda Arimo 130 mm stem, Deda Spectrum Carbon h/bars, Keywin CRM Titanium pedals, Selle Italia SLK, USE Alien Carbon Seatpost.

Summary:
American Classic CR420 Black. I had some hesitation after reading some of the old reviews with the cones losening, etc. Not really a big deal as long as you have a 15 mm cone wrench. The cone assembly has a minimalist design to save weight, but not that fragile as I've repacked the bearings at the end of each season without any incident. With this minimalist design, you will very likely need to adjust the cones once each season due to some side-to-side play that comes about from use. I ride on smooth and rough pavement and even rode once or twice on a trail. The front and rear have stayed true. I have NEVER trued these wheels, but have worked on the cones as discussed. Stiff, light and inexpensive. Would like to see a tubeless design at some point.

Strengths:
Wheels have stayed true since purchase 3 years ago. Love the black and white graphics and excellent braking surface. Good clamping from the skewers. Lighter than my Ritchey OCR 24-spoke wheels with Record Hubs.

Weaknesses:
Paint on the spoke nipples wore off on some spots, minimalist hub design which does cause cone loosening, but not that big of a job as long as you have a 15 mm cone wrench.

Similar Products Used:
Ambrosio Wheels 32 spoke, Ritchey OCR Wheels 24-spoke.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Orbea Orca, Champy record

Summary:
This is a very good wheel set. I have been riding these for training for the last 3+ years. I have over 11K on the first set and am having them rebuilt as a precaution - not because they need it.

There was a recall issue with the hubs back 2 years ago. American Classic was a pleasure to work with. Had them fixed and back going in no time. I weigh just over 180lbs at the beginning of the season and I ride these wheels pretty hard. American Classic uses something like lock tite on the spokes so adjusting them requires a special spoke wrench.

For me they are a wheel set I trust and can easily maintain the hubs

Strengths:
Strong. Lite. Look Nice.

Weaknesses:
Locktite on Spoke nipples.

Similar Products Used:
Mavic, Zipp

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
2006 Wilier Thor full carbon, full Dura Ace 10 spd. 2006 Argon 18 Mercury TT bike.

Summary:
Top knotch wheelset. I'm on my 3rd set of 420's since 2003. I've had them on 4 different bikes and I'm about to buy another set. Bearings are like silk. I clean and regrease mine once a year. My first set is still running with close to 12,000 miles and have never needed truing. 2nd set had 3500 miles on them when sold. Current set has 4000+ miles with no truing needed.

Strengths:
Super light without going over $1000. Bearings run forever.

Weaknesses:
Backwheel will get a little side to side play after about 2500 miles but only takes about 5 min. to correct.

Similar Products Used:
All I ride is American Classic

Price Paid:  $0.00 at vbc

Summary:
great wheelset, around 5000 miles on them and still true. highly recommended

Strengths:
relatively light and aero clincher.

Weaknesses:
none that i have found