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Rocket 1 Wheels
When it comes to building wheels that are both strong enough to cope with the demands of a tandem and fast enough to slice through the air, choices are pretty limited!
Whilst there are a handful of commercially available wheelsets that are specifically designed for two-up travel , the number supporting disc braking is very limited indeed.
From the outset, the philosophy of Team Wiggle Tandem has been to push forward the new technology and advance the use of existing technologies to produce the world's fastest tandem and wheels are a prime example of this philosophy in action.
When it comes to braking, Britain produces the finest hydraulic disc braking system in the world. Hope Technology of Barnoldswick in Lancashire UK have been involved in the project from day 1 and it is their stock X2 Race callipers with 160mm rotors that were chosen to scrub off the speed of Rocket 1. The engineers at Hope then custom made X2 levers to use both on the TT extensions or relocated in a conventional road racing position on drop bars.
Unlike most tandems gear shifting is performed by the stoker on Rocket 1 and so Hope's X2 series callipers were the natural choice and provide awesome power and modulation.
The advantage of running disc braking is that the rim surface of the wheel is unused; however finding a suitable carbon section rim that provided enough strength and aerodynamic advantage was one of Team Wiggle Tandem's greatest challenges.
Special thanks here must go to UK importer of Fast Forward wheels, Paligap ltd, who not only were enthused by the project but persuaded the Dutch manufacturer to build and test a one-off run of 55mm carbon rims with 32 holes in order to support the increased stress at the rear wheel. In addition Paligap provided a 32 hole Powertap SL+ power metre with integral rotor. Front wheels are standard 28 hole 55mm carbon Fast Forward rims laced to Hope Pro 2 hubs.
Like rims, suitable tubular tyres were a rare commodity to find. German manufacturers Schwalbe provide the rubber in 25mm section providing excellent all weather grip and comfort.
During a record run TWT will carry 2 complete spare sets of carbon race rims and a back up 3rd set of wheels running clinchers.
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