Luxe Wheelworks Tech Journal no.30

FFDS1 stands for Firefly Darkstar one. Firefly made this frame for Luxe Wheelworks. Luxe Wheelworks has a bicycle frame brand called Darkstar. I am not sure I like the name Darkstar, but it will have to do for now. This is a picture of its serial number stamped bottom bracket shell. 

I built this ENVE 2.65/DT Swiss 240/Sapim CX-Ray wheelset for an avid road and cyclocross racer who needed something fast and durable for year round use in both training and racing.

I just installed these cabinets. Staying organized is important. 

I built this HED C2/Alchemy ELF-ORC/Sapim CX-Ray wheelset for a road rider. They requested a light, strong, and stiff, wheelset for clincher tires. This wheelset weighs 1390g.

I built this HED C2/Chris King R45/Wheelsmith DB14 wheelset and installed Vittoria EVO CX tires and Vittoria Latex tubes. This wheelset is for a rider who needs stiff, strong wheels. 

I got some Luxe t-shirts made. They kind of remind me of a shield. 

Justin Spinelli

www.luxewheelworks.com

Luxe Wheelworks Tech Journal no.29

Here is that Foresta all built up. It looks great and rides like a steel lugged frame should. I highly recommend Foresta frames. 

Justin Spinelli

www.luxewheelworks.com

Luxe Wheelworks Tech Journal no.28

I am taking on a restoration project of this Richard Sachs frameset. 

Here is a carbon wheelset I built this week. Its specifications are as follows: ENVE 2.45/Chris King R45s/Sapim CX-Rays/Vittoria EVO CX 25mm tubulars.

In all honesty, I do not like to glue tires. 

It is a huge liability for me to take on as a small business. So many people do not know enough to check their equipment before each ride. I always recommend you check your tubular tires for proper adhesion before each and every ride you do on them. Should you roll a tire as a result of your own inability or unwillingness to maintain your own equipment, I am not to blame. Luxe Wheelworks is a wheel company, not a tire company, buyers beware. 

Note the precision machined cassette body and the slotted non-drive side flange on the Chris King R45 hubset.

I still prefer to lace front wheel in a cross pattern.

This is a staggered wheelset I built this week. Its specifications are the following: ENVE 45/65 Clincher rims/Alchemy ELF-ORC hubset/Sapim CX-Ray spokes.

EDGE

One day I will be happy with my product shots. I feel that day is a long way off but I will keep trying. Maybe I try too hard? I don't know. 

I can appreciate the low profile design of the Alchemy hubs. 

This wheel came in as a repair. I gladly accept repair work. 

Once that repair is complete, I will focus on this new custom, carbon, wheel build. 

Bagshaw Corporation.

Aaron was admiring my new Foresta and noted the adjustable stainless steel cable stops.

He took one. Went downstairs, and made me 500 identical units by lunch.

Anyone want some stainless steel adjustable cable stops? I am just amazed at the level of experience and expertise of the operation that goes on downstairs from me. The Bagshaw Co. is truly an icon in American manufacturing. They have been in business for 140 years!

I am experimenting with this new CaffeLatex sealant.

Here is that next wheelset completed. Its specifications are as follows:  ENVE 1.65s/Alchemy ELF-ORCs/Sapim CX-Rays/Continental Competition 22s 

Silver hubs and black spokes is a unique look. I find it very industrial-esque. 

I am just burning through these decals. I'm already into the 6 thousands. 

At this point Continental are my most favorite tire. 

I rode on Continental tires in the Giro D'Italia but they were clinchers and not as nice as these tubulars. 

Here is the finished product. 

It is going to be a lot of work setting this place up but so much of the hard work was done for me thanks to the building's maintenance engineer. 

This is a high quality, handmade, steel road frame from Foresta. I will show more of it in the coming blog posts. 

Justin Spinelli

www.luxewheelworks.com