SimWorks by Velocity has just released a new polished finish!
We have high hopes that this will add a touch of classic charm and sparkle to modern bicycle components, which have become almost entirely black before we knew it. Make the World Colorful!
The SimWorks blog has a post celebrating the beauty of the polished finish, so please be sure to give it a read.
That said, since the Standalone 001 was born into this world, it has quickly carved out a place as a staple rim here at Circles, and the reason it has been so frequently requested by all of you shortly after arrival is due to the solid, robust functional beauty that makes its aesthetics possible.
With the launch of the polished color, I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the specifications of the Standalone 001.
It is only by building up a foundation of physical strength that any kind of acrobatic, super-human performance can be produced.
Look at this eyelet with your own eyes.
To put the Standalone 001 simply: it’s a tough, tubeless-ready, eyeleted rim made in the USA.
For those who want to enjoy rough-road touring—covering long distances that include dirt—this is the most optimal rim in our current Circles lineup. I highly recommend it. Plus, it’s American-made.
The base of this rim is the already rugged Velocity CliffHanger, and the Standalone 001 is that same CliffHanger, but with added eyelets and produced in our original color. The existence of these eyelets is not just for show; it’s a detail that could be called the very identity of this rim.
With stainless steel eyelets fitted into the spoke holes, the Standalone 001 provides high durability even during tough, aggressive riding.
Back in the day, eyelets were an essential detail when aluminum materials and manufacturing precision were less advanced. While rims without eyelets exist in our technologically advanced modern era (they are actually the standard now), eyelets still have a reason to exist if you are pursuing high durability.
There are, of course, disadvantages like increased weight, but this rim is intended for adventuring for the pure joy of it rather than for racing, so to comment that it’s “heavy!” would be missing the point.
Wheel builders also unanimously agree that “eyelets are better if you want to use the rim for a long time.” Nipples may be notoriously unremarkable parts, but they are crucial for keeping a wheel true. Bicycle wheels maintain their balance through tension, and the nipples at the base act as the regulators of that tension. That tension can reach as high as 130kgf, and even greater loads are placed on them while riding.
The spoke bed is what bears the load of these nipples; by supporting them with more durable material in the form of eyelets, you suppress deformation and cracking in the surrounding area. It also protects both the spoke holes and the builder’s sanity from the rotational stress that occurs during assembly and every time the wheel is trued. (In other words, it’s a rim that’s easy to build.)
Perhaps it is a specification from a bygone era, but in terms of our philosophy of “using a bicycle to its fullest,” the eyeleted design of the Standalone 001 makes perfect sense.
If you want to install the potential to ride anywhere on your bike, the Standalone 001 is a highly recommended choice.
P.S.
Did you know that “Standalone” can be translated into Japanese as “dokpo” (to walk alone)?
SimWorks by Velocity Standalone 001
SIZE：700c / 650b / 26″
MATERIAL：Aluminum
DRILLING：32 hole
TIRE COMPATIBILITY：Clincher/Tubeless
WIDTH：30mm outer / 25mm-hook to hook internal
HEIGHT：21.6mm
OPTIMAL TIRE WIDTH：45mm-65mm
WEIGHT：580g (559) / 605g (584) / 640g (622)
ERD：26″: (537mm) / 650b/27.5″: (562mm) / 29″: (601mm)
PRICE(POLISH） : ¥24,200- (tax included) 〜 ¥27,500- (tax included)
PRICE（OTHER COLOR）：¥16,500- (tax included)〜 ¥20,900- (tax included)
