http://www.bikeradar.com/road/news/article/american-classic-shuts-down-51520/
Quite surprising really, established brand, been around since '82.
yep.
That explains the big discounts around Christmas 🙁
I met up with Bill in late '16 and he showed me the new OE wheels. They were ok but the issue was that the sales pitch went along the lines of 'we compromised on everything in order to make something as close to our expensive wheels as possible.'
So either you just undercut your own product by a massive factor if it turns out you actually could take those corner-cuts, or you made something terrible.... ultimately it didn't fill me with confidence. I'd rather have seen them leverage the brand with a wheel that was sensibly priced and solid, even if it couldn't be as light/fast pick up/wide as the premium stuff. There was also 6+ people in a meeting that could have been done by 2. If you're in OE then keeping the costs lean and mean is where its at. Combine that with only occasionally being on trend widthwise and probably regretting getting into carbon and its not that surprising. Shame but the way of things.
🙁
I really liked them, got American Classic on my road, track and CX bikes and I had a set for a while on my MTB (test wheels which unfortunately had to go back!)
Their stupid 3-spoke design (like the Campag wheels) put me off them but I always found them good quality and reaosnably priced.
I think part of the problem is the sheer number of options now when you consider:
6-bolt vs centrelock
axle type (QR / bolt thru)
Wheel size (26", 650b, 29", 700c)
Colour
Shame to hear of their demise though. 🙁
Sad. Still using one of their ISIS BBs (yes, really!) which I should see if I have spare bearings for and find out if it's still possible to get spares, as they're an odd size. Also my roadie wheels have AC420 rims and an AC micro front hub.
I have an American Classic seatpost from '85 in my Roberts DOGSBOLX - Its welded in 🙁
Have two pairs of 29er race wheels that have been faultless.
Shame really.
MrBlobbys theead is bigger now 🙂
Got a pair of their hubs on my MTB, been faultless. Quite surprised by this.
MrBlobbys theead is bigger now
Oh bugger, well I did google before posting.