We have previously praised Topolino’s C19 aluminum rimmed clincher wheels here at TgR.  Since they are so good and I have plenty of experience using tubular tires, even for everyday training, I just had to get a set of its V39s.  I’ve now been riding them for about two months and having an absolute blast.  These wheels are real difference makers.

Topolino wheels are hand made in Connecticut using its unique, aero-profiled Carbon Core™ spokes which span all the way across the wheel and are fully integrated into the carbon composite hub shell. These super-strong carbon fiber and Kevlar spokes are laced to 40mm-deep all carbon fiber tubular rims supplied by Zipp (which are aero profiled and have ceramic braking surfaces). The Carbon Core™ spokes are 40% the weight of an average steel spoke.  This weight savings allows Topolino to use more spokes per wheel while not increasing the weight.  The increased spoke count and their carbon/Kevlar composition contribute to both the increased lateral stiffness and comfort of the wheels when compared to metal spokes.  If you kept up with the description, you would have noted that the V39s have carbon rims, carbon spokes and carbon hubs.  Obviously, Topolino agrees with us at TgR that you can't have too much carbon!

If you think all of that carbon results in a hyper-light wheelset, you're right.  Even more unusual is the fact that my wheels weighed in at 1150g for the set without tires and skewers, 20g less than the advertised weight.  One of the great things about these wheels is that their hyper-light weight does not come at the cost of comfort or strength.  The simple fact that these wheels use 24 Carbon Core™ spokes up front and 30 in the rear, results in wheels that are both comfortable enough and strong enough for everyday use.  Now that I have installed the super cool Zero Gravity Ti brakes on the bike pictured, I am riding a bike that is just a few grams over the UCI weight limit on every ride with complete confidence and in reasonable comfort.  It’s hard to explain how much fun it is to ride a super light, superb handling and reasonably comfortable bike on every training ride.

During a recent ride, Mark and I decided to swap wheels at the midpoint.  I gave him the V39s with some very compliant tubular tires and he gave me the C19s with some new tires he was testing for TgR that I was unfamiliar with. The difference in rotational weight, acceleration, stiffness, etc. was glaring.  I found that Mark’s wheels even had a far sharper response to pavement irregularities, expansion joints and the like.  However, this was more likely due to the tires than the wheels.  Then my knees started bothering me just below the kneecap due to the increased rotational weight all at the rim and tire.  We figured that the difference between the rims was approximately 100g per wheel and that the difference between the tubular and clincher tires was another 100g up front and 30g in the rear (that's over 2/3 of a pound of rotational weight all at the rim - the worst possible location).  Mark and I discussed the differences between the wheels while we were riding, and while we generally agreed, I found them far more noticeable.  I couldn’t wait to get “my wheels” back.  Finally, we switched back with 10 or so miles left to go.  Wow – unbelievable, my knees stopped hurting and I immediately appreciated the sheer speed and amazing comfort of the V39s combined with super supple tubular tires.

Please remember, I love the C19’s, but the V39’s are just in a different class.  If you must use clinchers, then the V19s should be on or at the top of your list until all carbon rimmed clinchers are more affordable, more reliable and strong enough for every day use.  Then I hope Topolino pairs that carbon clincher rim with its awesome Carbon Core™ spokes.

Don’t think the V39s are just another Zipp 303 wanna-be simply because they use the 303 carbon rim.  I used a set of 2004 Zipp 303 tubulars as everyday road wheels for over 1,500 miles until I finally couldn’t take the stiffness at the saddle.  Not only are the 303’s less comfortable, they’re not as laterally stiff so they don’t put down the power as well. 

The V39s, due to their 40mm deep rim, lateral stiffness and aero spokes, will make an outstanding set of racing wheels for any triathlon, regardless of the course or weather.  The two most important aspects of a tri bike is its efficiency (converting your cranking power into forward motion) and its aerodynamics.  The combination of the V39's efficiency and aerodynamics may put them in a new class for spoked wheels of any rim depth.  I, furthermore, wouldn't be surprised if they ended up being very stiff competition for disc or carbon spoked wheels in real world tests, which would factor in efficiency, climbing, side winds and the like.

In life, some things are just worth the money and inconvenience.  At $1,650, the V39s cost as much as some complete bikes or high quality framesets.  Using tubulars tires is certainly less convenient, but not nearly as much as you think, and they are generally lighter and ride better than clincher tires with innertubes.  If you use Tufo’s brilliant Extreme Tape and sealant, not only is mounting tubular tires far quicker, cleaner and easier then using glue, you won’t flat except in extreme situations. 

Accelerating, climbing, sprinting and even just cruising on a set of hyper-light, super efficient and comfortable wheels makes the biggest difference in your riding pleasure of any component (or even frameset) change you could make.  The V39s, plain and simple, are difference makers.  They will make you faster, stronger, lighter and even better looking; they are the “bomb.”  If you buy these wheels, be prepared for the best time you’ve ever had on a bike.  Of course, the faster and harder you ride, the more fun you’ll have.

KDG