Quick Look at Quick Wheels

Campagnolo

Recently, Campagnolo released a version of its high-performance alloy Shamal Ultra wheels for rotors. The Shamal Ultra Disc, like the Bora and other Campy hoops that went disc, gets the G3 pattern on the front wheel. On rim-brake wheels, this pattern of 14 spokes on one side and seven on the other only appears on the rear wheels. But with wheels for disc brakes, G3 helps to manage the asymmetrical forces applied to a front wheel when you are scrubbing speed. ($1,810, Campagnolo freehub; $1,825, Shimano freehub, campagnolo.com)

Blade

A Barrie, Ont.-based company is behind some cool hoops. Blade has its second-generation carbon-fibre wheels made with a filament-winding process. One of the company’s more recent wheelsets is the Blade 2G 35-mm Disc. When you opt for a set of these wheels, you can choose a variety of options. A 25-mm rim width (not 23 mm), rattlesnake carbon weave (because that’s edgier than “twill”), a lime decal colour (because you can pull that off), Blade hubs (at no extra charge), clincher rim, glossy finish, Shimano freehub body and Sapim CX-RAY spokes (also at no extra charge) will run you $1,654. So many choices. But choices that are fun to make. ($1,654, bladecarbonwheels.com)