Luxe Wheelworks Tech Journal no.13

This is my photo studio for now. It may not be the most elaborate set-up but it's a good start. 

I built this new wheelset today. 

The spoke count is 24 front and 28 rear. The wide rims paired with the optimized Alchemy hubs allow for this relatively low spoke count. Also featured are Wheelsmith Aluminum 12mm nipples and Sapim CX-Ray Spokes. I used DT Swiss brass nipples on the rear drive side.  

I individually label my wheels. This logo may change over time. 

The front wheel follows a 2 cross lacing pattern. 

The rear wheel is also a 2 cross pattern. 

These Ritchey nylon rim strips work great. I've always like Ritchey products for their simple and clean designs. 

This wheelset weighs 1429g.

You can order the A23 with or without a machined brake track. This wheelset has a machined brake track. 

This customer ordered an Arundel saddle bag along with their wheels. I include all technical manuals with each wheelset purchase. 

In this case, I was able to fit the documents inside their saddle bag.

I try to re-use as much packaging material as I can. 

I reinforce the areas where the hub axles meet the box with additional cardboard and a few strips of packing tape.

Here, I re-use newspaper. 

These boxes are sized so the wheel does not have too much room to move around in.

Sometimes I fit a dowel through the hubs to keep them in-line, inside the box.

I line the box's edge with bubble wrap. 

Then I add more newspaper.

I put the small parts in this blue newspaper bag and taped it to the side of the box.

These boxes have two layers of protection on their folding sides. 

I will re-enforce the area where the wheel's axles may hit against the side of the box.

I tape all the seams. 

I place the ship label on the box in its own clear carrier.

I will get some "fragile" sticker. For now I am making due with handmade warning labels. 

This is my dog, Abby. She is getting old and I enjoy spending more time with her now that I am not living life "on the road" as a professional bicycle racer. 

Justin Spinelli
www.luxewheelworks.com