American Classic Argent Tubeless Wheels

 

Simon Whiten

 

Preview of the American Classic Argent Tubeless Wheels

 

In theory tubeless tyres for bicycles make a lot of sense. They are potentially very fast – Schwalbe reckon their top tubeless tyres have the lowest rolling resistance of any of their tyres – and offer built in puncture resistance thanks to the sealant. American Classic are championing this technology and we have their Argent Road Tubeless wheels in for review.

 

 

I am not sure about American Classic’s claim that ‘Riders are obsessed with tubeless technology’, certainly not many of the riders I know, though it’s definitely on everyone’s radar. I have to admit that for a while I was actually obsessed with tubeless albeit with cyclocross tyres; I’d not really pursued it with the road in mind but these Argent wheels might change that.
 
The American Classic Argent tubeless wheels are boldly liveried aluminium rimmed wheels; no one will doubt you are riding American Classics nor that they are tubeless. Whilst not the widest by any means, the Argent’s aluminium rims are wide at 22mm and make a nod towards aerodynamics at 30mm deep. American Classic are keen to suggest that you can ride smaller diameter tyres, which have the benefit of being lighter, on a wider rim as the tyre will spread out across the widre rim. A 23mm tyre will present like a 25mm tyre. We have seen this a lot with wider rims so buy into this idea completely.
 

 
Narrower tubeless tyres can still offer increased comfort due to their higher air volume. They also promise better cornering traction due to reduced tyre roll. To explain, narrow rims and wide tyres lead to the stiff rim floating from side to side under hard cornering loads on top of the softer tyre, whereas using a narrow tyre and wider rim will reduce this floating effect to improve handling.
 
American Classic rims use ‘bead barb technology’ to secure tyres and prevent burping. Despite this extra strength, the rims weigh just 390 grams and apparently have been designed to have much less weight at their outermost edge, suggesting they’ll be quick at picking up speed. Being aluminium, they should also slow down quickly as well, whatever the weather…
 

 
The rims are laced to American Classic’s High-low hub using very meaty bladed spokes, with 18 radial spokes upfront and 24 spokes in a pattern called ‘Series 3 lacing’ at the rear. This pattern of three spoke holes with two spokes on the drive side of the wheel to one on the non-drive side, offers added torsional stability and stiffness via equal spoke tension for the drive and non-drive sides of the rear wheel, which apparently, mathematically at least, can only be achieved using 24 spoked rear wheels.
 

 
The wheels are light. Claimed weights are 586g upfront and 786g for the rear, which equates to a very impressive 1372g for the pair.
 

 
As standard, American Classic tubeless wheels have a base layer of ‘American Classic fiber tape’ covering the spoke holes, then two layers of American Classic honey colored tape to seal the rim. Sealant can be added through a ‘proven AC valve’, which comes in an eye catching red.
 

 
American Classic promise us quick accelerations, solid cornering, fast climbing and descending. If they are not fast enough for you as is, they encourage you to upgrade the wheels with ceramic bearings, titanium quick releases and so on.
 
American Classic Argent Tubeless rrp £899.99 / $1449.00
 
 
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