From the Izu Training Camp at the end of the year to the CRC ride for the New Year, this holiday season was all about riding dirt. Even now, when I close my eyes and look back, all I can think about are gravel roads, hot springs, and delicious food.
Places like this that Ebiko-san took me to...
Exploring uncharted forest roads that we couldn't make it to during the last Izu training camp...
And even after returning to Nagoya after the new year, sliding down trails carpeted with fallen leaves...
Well, in short, I spent the whole time riding what you’d call unpaved roads, and there is a reason for that...
I had only ever used tubular wheelsets on my Cielo Cross Racer Disc, which I mainly use for CX races. Since I finally built up a clincher wheelset just before this Izu trip, I couldn't help but ride exclusively on unpaved roads to test out how good they were.
For the rims, I chose the H PLUS SON THE HYDRA, which are designed specifically for disc brakes, and for the hubs, I went with Chris King R45 Disc hubs. Hearing that they would be discontinued, to my regret, made me pull the trigger and buy them in Pewter.
From cyclocross racing to everyday rides and commuting, you can really feel the craftsmanship intended for longevity as you use them over time. These hubs, which become even more familiar and continue to spin beautifully the more you use them, offer more than just the satisfaction of acquisition—they make you want to use them until they’re worn out.
With the hope that the user will take an active part in maintaining them, Chris King hubs are built based on a philosophy of keeping things as simple as possible. Of course, you can order even the smallest individual parts, so you can have peace of mind even if something goes wrong. Please feel free to come by and ask us about their construction and mechanics. By the way, we still have some of the discontinued Pewter, Gold, and Pink hubs in stock at the Circles shop, depending on the model.
As for the tires I chose for my new wheels, I went with WTB NANO 700x40c. I actually had my eye on the Homage tires, but unfortunately, my Cielo Cross Racer Disc didn't have enough clearance, so I chose these 40c tires which just barely fit. They are tubeless-ready, and in addition to their smooth rolling that makes you forget about any negatives of their 40mm width even on paved roads, they also provide enough air volume to charge into unpaved trails with confidence. To put it mildly, they are an exceptionally good tire.
There’s a forecast for snow in the Nagoya plains this weekend, but since I enjoyed riding on snow before on these tires so much, I’m personally hoping for some solid accumulation. That said, don't overdo it. Everyone, please be very careful underfoot!