Wednesday, January 22, 2014

2013 annual letter to Frame and Wheel customers


Dear Frame and Wheel customers,
I am pleased to say that 2013 has been a year of solid growth for Frame and Wheel. Rated transactions increased 50 percent year on year to 833 (2012: 533) due to continued domestic and international demand for wheels, components, frame sets and bikes. The feedback score remained unchanged at 100 percent positive with buyers expressing satisfaction with Frame and Wheel’s accurate descriptions, fast shipping and professional customer service. Meanwhile, repeat and new business from individuals and independent bicycle dealers continues to fill the order book.  However, 2013 proved to be the year that important lessons were learned. Some customers expressed disappointment with the selling prices of their items. Some buyers complained that shipping and handling expenses were too high. I have realized that the level of detail in the descriptions is sometimes more than what is required. Consequently, I have introduced a consignment option for customers who want to realize a minimum amount from a sale. I have also revised the shipping and handling policies to lower shipping expenses. I plan to simplify and limit the length of the descriptions. Meanwhile, I have restructured the Frame and Wheel website so that it describes the eBay selling service exclusively, and created another website for Austro-Daimler frame sets (www.a-dbikes.com). I believe that the result of these changes will be improved competitiveness and better customer satisfaction for buyers and sellers. I would to thank Frame and Wheel customers for using the service and I look forward to working with you again in 2014.

Fred Thomas
President
Frame and Wheel, Inc.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Lightweight Ventoux 190 Special Edition carbon tubular wheelset 28mm 700c 20/24 spoke Shimano 10-speed Ti skewer DT-Swiss 190 Ceramic rear hub

Sold: $2,400 Buyer: USA
Lightweight Ventoux 190 Special Edition carbon tubular wheelset 28mm 700c 20/24 spoke Shimano 10-speed Ti skewer DT-Swiss 190 Ceramic rear hub
Frame and Wheel is auctioning a Lightweight Ventoux 190 Special Edition tubular wheel set on the Frame and Wheel eBay Store. The wheels were obtained by an independent bicycle dealer and used for demonstration and promotional purposes. They have never been raced. They have never been crashed. They have been on display. The wheels feature carbon tubular rims, Duraflon treated carbon aero spokes, 20/24 spoke count (F/R), 28 mm rim depth, 20 mm rim width, Lightweight carbon front hub, DT Swiss 190 ceramic rear hub (Shimano / SRAM 10-speed), 1-cross lacing, front and rear spoke mounted magnet, Lightweight titanium skewers, nude carbon finish, white Lightweight lettering, extraordinarily light weight and Lightweight engineering cool. The wheels as shown weigh 2 pounds 5 ounces (1.1 kg). New Lightweight pads included. Lightweight wheel bag included. There are 50 images of the wheel set at Frame and Wheel’s Flickr page. Please take a look. Ships in custom wheel boxes. Maximum weight limit of 90 kg (rider + bicycle + gear). 700 x 25 mm tires recommended.

Review of condition
The wheels are in good condition. They are clean and they are ready to ride. The hubs spin smoothly and freely. The spokes are secured firmly into the rim and the hubs. There are no cracks, nicks or chips on the spokes. The spokes cross securely. There is no vertical variation wheels when placed in a truing stand. There are no cracks, flexing or flaking in the carbon rims or the carbon shell. There are no cracks in the carbon hub bodies. There are no cracks in the carbon hub flanges. There are no cracks in the carbon plates that cover the flanges. There is no play in the hubs. There is no corrosion on the axles or on the skewers. The valve openings are not damaged or blocked. Frame and Wheel notes the following. The rear wheel shows less than 1.0 mm of horizontal variation when placed in a truing stand. The front wheel shows less than 1.0 mm of horizontal variation when placed in a truing stand. The free hub body shows light wear from a cassette. There is a light layer of glue on the rims. The braking surfaces of the rims show light wear.

Frame and Wheel conclusion
Frame and Wheel’s view is that these Lightweight Ventoux 190s will make an excellent choice for the dedicated road cyclist who seeks a very light and very stiff wheel set for regular competition. The wheels are in good condition and have many hours of racing and training remaining. These wheels will result in an immediate and head spinning weight and speed advantage and will dramatically change the voice of any road bike. The new owner will relish the light and smooth ride of these wheels and may never bother to switch them out. A rare opportunity to obtain a lightly used pair of one of the finest wheels on the market today.

Specifications

Front
Brand: Carbonsports Lightweight
Model: Ventoux 190 Special Edition
Model year: 2011 estimated
Model number: na
Rim material: carbon
Rim shell material: carbon
Type: tubular
Series: Road
Rim serial number: 04179EB68E
Size: 700c
Front wheel weight with skewer: 1 pound (460 g)
Spoke count: 20
Spokes: carbon bladed white integrated into rim Duraflon covering
Lacing: 1-cross
Hub: Lightweight
Hub material: carbon
Skewer: Lightweight titanium
Rim depth: 28 mm 
Rim width: 20 mm (o-o)
Tire: na
Over Lock Nut Dimension: 100 mm
Finish: Nude with white lettering
Frame and Wheel rating: Good condition

Rear
Brand: Carbonsports Lightweight
Model: Ventoux 190 Special Edition
Model year: 2011 estimated
Model number: na
Rim material: carbon
Rim shell material: carbon
Type: tubular
Series: Road
Rim serial number: 04179EBEE8
Size: 700c
Rear wheel weight with skewer: 1 pound 5 ounces (590 kg)
Spoke count: 24
Spokes: carbon bladed white integrated into rim Duraflon covering
Lacing: 1-cross drive side 1-cross non drive side
Hub: DT Swiss 190 Ceramic
Hub material: carbon
Skewer: Lightweight titanium
Rim depth: 28 mm 
Rim width: 20 mm (o-o)
Tire: na
Over Lock Nut Dimension: 130 mm
Finish: Nude carbon with white lettering
Free hub body: Shimano / SRAM 
Hub type: 10-speed
Frame and Wheel rating: Good condition


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Lightweight Disc carbon tubular rear wheel 700c DT Swiss 190 hub Shimano 10 speed time trial

Sold: $2,100 Buyer: Thailand
Lightweight Disc carbon tubular rear wheel 700c DT Swiss 190 hub Shimano 10 speed time trial
Frame and Wheel is auctioning a Lightweight Disc wheel on the Frame and Wheel eBay Store. The wheel was obtained by an independent bicycle dealer for demonstration and promotional purposes. It has never been raced. It has never been crashed. It has been on display. The wheel features carbon tubular rim, 20 mm rim width, DT Swiss 190 hub, Shimano 10 speed free hub body, oversized valve opening, startlingly low weight, distinctive carbon finish and Lightweight aero cool. The wheel as shown weighs 1 pounds and 12 ounces (800 g). There are 30 images of the wheel set at Frame and Wheel’s Flickr page. Please take a look. No skewer included. Includes wheel bag. Includes Lightweight new brake pads. Ships in custom wheel box. Maximum weight limit of 90 kg (rider + bicycle + gear).

Review of condition
The wheel is in good condition. It is clean and ready to ride. There is no cracking, flexing, discoloration or flaking in the rim. There are no dents, flexing, or flaking in the carbon surface of the wheel. The wheel is true and round. The hub spins freely and smoothly. There is no play in the hub. The valve opening is undamaged. The stickers are on securely. The braking surfaces of the rim show no wear. Frame and Wheel notes the following. There is a 2 mm x 2 mm scratch on the non drive surface near the second “h” in Lightweight. There are fissures in some of the Lightweight stickers. There is a 150 mm light scratching on the drive side surface of the wheel. There is a light layer of glue on the rim. The free hub body shows light wear from a cassette.

Frame and Wheel conclusion
Frame and Wheel’s view is that a disc wheel is a necessary tool for any road cyclist or triathlete who is serious about improving his or her performance in the race against the clock. This Lightweight Disc wheel is the lightest (and probably the stiffest) disc wheel Frame and Wheel has ever seen and most certainly the wheel that will launch a serious time trial competitor to a higher level of performance in the Race of Truth. The wheel is in good condition and shows immaterial signs of wear. It will produce an immediate speed and weight advantage and it will dramatically change the voice of any time trial bicycle. The new owner will relish the distinctive sound that this wheel makes when at speed and will become permanently spoiled by its light weight. An excellent and rare opportunity to obtain one of the finest disc wheel on the market today..

Wheel specifications
Brand: CarbonSports Lightweight
Model: Disc
Model year: 2010 estimated
Rim material: carbon
Rim shell material: carbon
Series: time trial / triathlon
Type: tubular
Rim serial number: 0417BE7AB5
Hub serial number: na
Size: 700c
Weight: 1 pounds 12 ounces / 800 g
Hub: DT Swiss 190
Skewer: not included
Rim width: 20 mm (mid brake track to mid brake track measured by Frame and Wheel)
Tire: not included
Over Lock Nut Dimension: 130 mm
Finish: white and grey lettering on nude carbon
Free hub body: Shimano / SRAM
Speed: 10 speed
Valve opening: 55 mm x 35 mm
Frame and Wheel rating: Good condition

Monday, January 6, 2014

Lightweight VR8 carbon tubular front wheel 52mm 700c 8 spoke time trial Disc

Sold: 1,025 Buyer: Thailand
Lightweight VR8 carbon tubular front wheel 52mm 700c 8 spoke time trial Disc
Frame and Wheel is auctioning a Lightweight VR8 front wheel on the Frame and Wheel eBay Store. The wheel was obtained by an independent bicycle dealer for demonstration and promotional purposes. It has never been raced. It has never been crashed. It has been on display. The wheel features carbon tubular rims, aero carbon spokes, 8 spoke count, 52 mm rim depth, 20 mm rim width, Lightweight carbon front hub, radial lacing, laminated computer magnet, distinctive white lettering, light weight and revolutionary Carbonsports design. The wheel as shown weighs 1 pound 8 ounces (690 kg). The wheel is the sibling to the Lightweight Disc. Lightweight pads recommended (not included). 700 x 25 mm tires recommended. There are 25 images of the wheel set at Frame and Wheel’s Flickr page. Please take a look. Ships in custom wheel box. Maximum weight limit of 90 kg (rider + bicycle + gear).

Review of condition
The wheel is in good condition. It is clean and ready to ride. The hub spins smoothly and freely. The spokes are secured firmly into the rim and the hub. There are no nicks or chips on the spokes. There is no vertical variation when placed in the truing stand. There are no cracks, flexing, discoloration or flaking in the carbon rims or the carbon shell. There are no cracks in the carbon hub body. There are no cracks in the carbon hub flanges. There is no play in the hubs. There is no corrosion on the axles or on the skewers. The valve openings are not damaged or blocked. Frame and Wheel notes the following. The wheel shows less than 1.0 mm of horizontal variation when placed in a truing stand. The braking surfaces of the rim show light wear. There is a light layer of glue in the rims. 

Frame and Wheel conclusion
Frame and Wheel’s view is that this Lightweight VR8 wheel will make an obvious choice for the dedicated time trial or triathlon competitor or for the rider who already runs a Lightweight Disc and seeks its sibling. This VR8 is in good condition and has many more hours of use remaining. It will change radically the voice of any time trial bike and will result in an immediate and startling weight and speed advantage that will certainly block out any reservation the new owner has about riding a front wheel that has only eight spokes. A rare opportunity to obtain a very light and very aerodynamic wheel from Lightweight.

Specifications

Front
Brand: Carbonsports Lightweight
Model: VR8
Model year: 2011 estimated
Rim serial number: na
Rim material: carbon
Rim shell material: carbon
Type: tubular
Series: Road
Size: 700c
Front wheel weight with skewer: 1 pounds 8 ounces (670 g)
Spoke count: 8
Spokes: carbon bladed black integrated into rim
Lacing: radial
Hub: Lightweight
Hub material: carbon
Skewer: not included
Rim depth: 52 mm 
Rim width: 20 mm (o-o)
Tire: na
Over Lock Nut Dimension: 100 mm
Finish: Nude with white lettering
Frame and Wheel rating: Good condition

Sunday, January 5, 2014

2010 FOS 38 carbon tubular wheelset 38mm 20 (F) 24 (R) spoke Shimano 10 speed road 700c

Sold: $120  Buyer: USA
2010 FOS 38 carbon tubular wheelset 38mm 20 (F) 24 (R) spoke Shimano 10   speed road 700c
Frame and Wheel is auctioning a FOS 38 wheel set on the Frame and Wheel eBay Store. The wheels were obtained new from the Italian wheel company for demonstration and testing purposes in 2011. They were used for training and racing in 2011 and 2012. They have about 2,000 miles of use. They have been in storage in 2013. They have never been crashed. The owner is selling them because new FOS wheels are coming to the market. The owner notes that the wheels are fast and light and perform very well particularly in wet conditions. The owner notes that the internal nipples are inconvenient and that a front spoke broke at the hub flange twice. The wheels feature carbon tubular rims, 38 mm rim depth, 21 mm rim width, 20 (F) / 24 (R) spoke count, Shimano free hub body (10 speed), FOS hubs, aero steel spokes, marbled carbon finish, FOS steel skewers, FOS brake pads, three extra spokes, light weight and FOS novel cool. The wheels as shown weigh 3 pounds 1 ounces (1.4 kg). The serial number on the front rim reads 1B2301 TR03RB 11. The serial number on the rear rim reads 1B2301 TR03RB 10 There are 45 images of the wheel set at Frame and Wheel’s Flickr page. Please take a look.

Review of condition
The wheels are in good condition. They are clean and they are ready to ride. The hubs spin smoothly and freely. The spokes are tight and straight. The rims are round. There is no horizontal variation in the rear wheel when placed in a truing stand. There are no cracks, flexing, flaking or discoloration in the carbon rims or the carbon shell. There are no cracks in the hub bodies. There is no play in the hubs. There are no cracks in the flanges of the hubs. There is no corrosion on the spokes, the nipples or on the skewers. Frame and Wheel notes the following. The front wheel shows lateral variation when placed in the truing stand of less than 1.0 mm (the width of a penny). The free hub body shows marks from a cassette. There is a light layer of glue on the rims. The braking surface of the rims show light wear.

Frame and Wheel conclusion
Frame and Wheel’s view is that these FOS 38 wheels will make a fine choice for the dedicated road cyclist who is comfortable with tubular rims and seeks a high performance carbon tubular wheel set for training. The wheels are in good condition and show only light signs of wear. The new owner will appreciate the smooth ride, the light weight and the braking control of these wheels. A fine opportunity to obtain some Campagnolo inspired performance carbon tubular wheels from emerging Italian wheel brand FOS. 

Specifications

Front
Brand: FOS
Model: 38
Model year: 2010
Model number: TR03RB
Rim material: carbon
Rim shell material: carbon
Type: tubular
Series: Road
Rim serial number: 1B2301 TR03RB 11
Size: 700c
Front wheel weight with skewer: 1 pounds 6 ounces (610 g)
Spoke count: 20
Spokes: steel black bladed internal nipples
Lacing: radial
Hub: FOS
Hub material: aluminum alloy
Skewer: FOS steel
Rim depth: 38 mm 
Rim width: 21 mm (o-o)
Tire: na
Over Lock Nut Dimension: 100 mm
Finish: Nude carbon 
Frame and Wheel rating: Good condition

Rear
Brand: FOS
Model: 38
Model year: 2010
Model number:  c
Rim material: carbon
Rim shell material: carbon
Type: tubular
Series: Road
Serial number: 1B2301 TR03RB 10
Size: 700c
Rear wheel weight with skewer: 1 pounds 11 ounces (760 kg)
Spoke count: 24
Spokes: steel black bladed internal nipples
Lacing: 2-cross drive side radial non drive side
Hub material: aluminum
Skewer: FOS steel
Rim depth: 38 mm 
Rim width: 21 mm (o-o)
Tire: na
Over Lock Nut Dimension: 130 mm
Finish: Nude carbon
Free hub body: Shimano 10-speed
Frame and Wheel rating: Good condition