Royce hubs, British engineering and 29er wheels

[IbocProSX]

I've been planning a sturdy XC wheelset for the Curtlo rigid steel 29er for a while. The build is gloss black with polished alloy and Ti & white finishing kit so it had to be polished hubs. When the wheelbuilder offered me a set of sample Royce hubs the deal was done quickly. Precision crafted polished bodies with all weather bearings and a titanium axle, what's not to like?

So this week I picked up the new set from the wheelbuilder. Ice on the trails with air temperatures above zero meant the first ride was not a proper test, mor of a balancing act. But the wheels are tight & stiff with a very very smooth and silent freehub that picks up well. I'll follow up with a ride report when I've had a chance to ride them as intended.

There is not a lot of light outside working hours, so feast your eyes on these indoor shots, they show off the finish better anyways:

Enjoy!!

 

[jonnyboy666]

cliff makes a good hub

 

[kaiser]

Thats nice I'd be tempted to remove the decals, kinda contrast of styles.

 

[IbocProSX]

They are nice hubs, not seen many about though.

I've thought about the rim decals as there is no red on the bike anyhwere. But somehow I never like the look of bikes with rim decals removed. I don't know why really, as it should be rather stealthy. Maybe I can get some made up a little less brash and in white only ...

 

[IbocProSX]

I fitted the new Flows on Royce wheels up with a set of Bonty XR's and was out on the trails for an hour today. Lovely wheels, nice and tight and precise, I reduced pressure by 2 psi compared to previous Mavic set and still was more accurate.
Plus I kinda liked the silent running freehub which in fact goes for the whole bike. Even the brakes kept quiet today. There is something to a rigid still singlepeed with a silent drivetrain on a flowing singletrack in the cold winter air that is magic. Here some pictures of the wheels on the bike after hosing it down:

Enjoy!!

 

[kaiser]

Very I take it back about the decals, they are quite discrete. Wonderful bike

 

[Giel]

Very classy build, nice

 

[AndyPA]

very very nice , I cant wait to build my own 29r

 

[djoptix]

Spanktastic.

 

[uno-speedo]

Looking good. Did I sell you that Curtlo frame?