October 4, 2009
Complete Wheel Sets by Loaded Precision Products
If there’s one thing that Interbike 2009 made clear, it’s that anodizing is back.
That’s right folks, the look from the mid to late 90’s has made a comeback. Within OEM line ups like SRAM, to brand new companies launching complete anodized product lines, chances are you can find whatever colored aluminum pieces you want to bling out your bike in 2010.
Anodizing Never Really Went Anywhere
Chris King is a big name that pops into mind when we think of colored aluminum. They’ve been doing it for years and it’s been hot to have a colored King headset (and now BB) for quite a while. Another company that comes to mind is Industry Nine. Anodized I9 wheel sets are often thought to be the crown jewel of bike bling. And we really can’t talk about anodized aluminum without mentioning breast cancer awareness and all the support the cycling industry has shown through pink aluminum. All of these forces have continued to help keep the trend popular and strong. A natural progression would seem to be for other companies to get on board with more and greater options for colors and parts, thereby allowing riders to more fully customize a build.
SRAM / Truvativ Gets On Board
SRAM is now marketing drive train parts in married matching colors. The cool thing about this is that you can now have crucial drive train accessories looking custom. There wasn’t really too much of an option here in the past but now you can have that XO rear derailleur matching your green King headset, bottom bracket, and crank arms. Thanks to new comer company Loaded Precision Products, everything else can match now too.
The SRAM / Truvativ 2009 Anodized Line Up as Seen at Interbike
Loaded Precision Products
Loaded Precision Products is officially on the scene. I had the pleasure of meeting Loaded’s main sales rep, Jeremy, during Dirt Demo Days. Jeremy’s a cool cat. He’s easy to get along with and a great rep for the brand. Haven’t had the pleasure of riding with him yet, but if he rides anything like the custom Ellsworth Rogue he built up, he’s a shredder for sure. Jeremy built up the Rogue to show off Loaded’s line at their booth during Interbike. It did a great job at that. (Sorry for the photo quality, it was all I had).
Jeremy's Loaded Precision Product Rogue w/ Custom Etched Skull
Loaded Reviewed
Loaded’s line of products is nicely produced and put together. The branding surrounding the product line is strong. When bolted on your whip, the look lends a sense of street credibility.
Overall, I liked the line a lot. Jeremy let me test ride his Rogue (street only, the Dirt Demo shuttle had stopped running) and the feel in the cockpit was really nice. The rise of the stem and the bars was ideal and extremely comfortable. It gave me a strong feeling of control over the bike.
The platform pedals were thin and light, yet offered plenty of grip and stick. The wheel sets looked fantastic and felt strong although I really wish I could have put them to the test.
The only improvement I suggested to Jeremy was that the rear hub make use of more engagement points. Jeremy agreed and explained that this was something he felt Loaded would be improving in the very near future. Apparently, King and I9 have some pretty solid patents on hub internals and Loaded wanted to be very careful not to infringe. As a new company with a lot on the line, I can understand this and it seems to make good business sense. As for the specific engagement details on the hubs, Loaded uses a 3 pawl/ 24 point engagement design, much like what you see with a White Industries hub internal.
From a pricing standpoint, Loaded’s products are on the upper end of the scale. All of the pieces in the line seem to be deserving of the price point. As for the hubs, I would really like to see some more engagement precision out of the rear considering the retail price point of $229.00.
Here are the details of the line as outlined in the company brochure…
Mountain Wheels
• Hand-laced in the USA in assorted colors
• Double-wall AmXc rims / Stainless Spokes
• Precision machined sealed bearing hubs
• Hubs convert from skewer to thru-axle
• Cross country weight / all mtn strength
XC and DH Hubs (front)
• CNC Machined aluminum body
• Over-sized Sealed bearings
• Skewer or 20mm Option
• Weight: 2834
XC and DH Hubs (rear)
• CNC’d 7075 cassette body
• Skewer or 12mm Option
• Weight: 280g
RIMS
• Extruded from 6061 T6 Al
• 17 x 24 Width / 26” x 32h
• Weight 482g (29er 526)
• Light, strong XC design
Precision Spokes
• High Grade T302 Stainless Steel Spokes
• 14g Specifically Designed for All Mountain Use
• Brass Nipples for Strength (included)
• 6 Grams Each (256mm Length)
• Breaking Strength: 300 – 310 kgf
• Fatigue: 180 kgf, 10 hz
• Loaded’s New Drawing Technology makes them 20% stronger than the Competition
DH STEM
• Bar Mount 31.8
• 50mm Length x 0 degree rise
• Weight: 252g
MOUNTAIN STEM
• CNC Machined XC/Am Stem
• Bar Mount 31.8
• 90/ 110/ 120 Lengths
• Angle 5 Deg
• Weight 115g (105mm Length)
• Stainless Steal Bolts
AMXC HANDLEBARS
• Butted 7005 aluminum
• 31.8mm clamp size
• 25mm rise x 711mm width
• Lightweight 257g
AMX HANDLEBARS (pictured)
• Butted 7005 aluminum
• 31.8mm clamp size
• 25mm rise x 790mm width
• Weight: 328g
CARBON HANDLEBARS
• Lightweight 3k carbon weave
• 31.8mm clamp size
• 40mm rise x 640mm Width
BINDER CLAMP
• 3-D FORGED 6061 Aluminum
• Smooth, ergonomic lever
• Diameter: 28.6mm or 31.8mm
• Weight: 38g
ELITE SEATPOST
• 3-D FORGED 6061 Aluminum
• 350mm Length
• Diameter: 27.2, 30.9, 31.6
• Titanium Hardware
• Dual Adjusting Mount
• Weight: 280g @ 27.2
DH / Freeride Pedals
• CNC machined from 6061
• 4140 CnC Spindles
• Double DU bearing design
• Machined stainless traction pins
• Machined logos
• Lightweight 524g / Pair
• Lightweight at 170g
• Reinforced clamping area
To get Loaded, visit www.loadedUSA.com or call 888-347-8567. Or, click here for the Loaded PDF product brochure.
I picked up a set of their Gold spokes. I laced them to Mavic EX721’s and a DT Swiss 340 hub. It looks sick, the wheel is solid, and my wheels attract a lot of attention.
Great product.
Right on, Dan. Sounds like a great combo. Got any pics? Check out these Loaded / I9’s i recently built up:
http://www.spokeapparel.com/wp-content/uploads/industry9_11.jpg
http://www.spokeapparel.com/wp-content/uploads/industry9_21.jpg
http://www.spokeapparel.com/wp-content/uploads/industry9_31.jpg
To see plenty of recent Loaded Precision pics please visit my Facebook page “Bike Rac”. I just built up some wheels using the AmXC rims in Black with White spokes and Red hubs. I also built up a Loaded Gold hub with Gold spokes on a Mavic EX721. Great products.
Hey guys. Looking for a 20 inch rim black anodized with red anodized spokes with a disc front hub. 3/8 axle. I make my own caliper mount.
Thanks in advance!!
Contact http://loadedusa.com
180mm spokes should be.