Cleaning time arrived recently for RCUK’s test Cole C24 Lite wheelset following an extended period of wet-weather use. The good news is that the unusual hub design is surprisingly easy to get clean, its myriad nooks and crannies giving up their silt and muck at the first prod of a stiff brush.
The thing about a bike clean, apart from getting the machine looking good, is that it is the perfect opportunity to take a reallly close look at it. Developing problems such as rim brake track wear often first come to light as the bike is being scrubbed clean; for most of us, it’s about the only time once the cycle has been built that we take a really close look.
What came to light during the recent wash was the alignment of one of the rear spokes. They, like those at the front, are bladed to aid air penetration. The long axis of the profile is aligned with airflow – except in this case, where the spoke was turned 90degrees, making it even less “aero” than a plain old round-section spoke. Alerted by it, I checked the remainder and found several not perfectly aligned with the cycle centre line.
To be fair, it’s not much of an issue except in terms of attention to detail – and, of course, of aerodynamics. The wheels remain obstinately true and sturdily indifferent to road defects. And they are easy to clean.
Cole C24 Lite Shimano/SRAM Compatible Clincher Wheelset £274.99 per pair
