SAN DIEGO (BRAIN) — Hermes Sport stopped selling wheels in the aftermarket about two years ago to focus on the OE market. Now the San Diego brand is back with a line of road and cyclocross wheels featuring redesigned a spoke pattern and new hubs, with many of the components made in the U.S.
The VK series of wheels includes the carbon-rimmed VK51 and the aluminum-rimmed VK11.
Both wheels feature hubs with wide spoke bracing angles for wheel stiffness; triplet wheel spoking on the rear (16 drive-side spokes with 8 non-drive side); and oversized axles: 17mm axles in front and 20/17mm tapered axles in rear. The large axles allow larger bearings, and Hermes uses Enduro angular contact bearings, with a ceramic option.
The rear hub features a magnetic freehub system, with technology licensed from a European company. The magnetic ring-drive engagement system reduces the number of moving parts in the freehub to one and spreads out the load to a larger portion of the hub shell, which helps save weight. The freehub body is made of 4140 steel for durability and its lubricated with Dumonde Tech freehub grease.
Both hubs feature bearing preload adjustment that is independent of the quick release. Most of Hermes' hub parts, its aluminum rims and its spoke nipples are American-made. The wheels are built and checked in San Diego, as well.
The VK51 wheels features a 50mm deep, 24.5mm wide carbon rim, available in tubular or clincher. MSRP is $1,995.The VK11 wheels have 23mm wide tubeless-compatible alloy rims. MSRP is $995.
The company sells dealer direct in the U.S. More information at Hermes-sport.com.
