Lightweight Autobahn VR on Moots Vamoots RSL

2014-02-20 • SEND FEEDBACK |
Related: image stabilization, Lightweight, Moots, Moots Vamoots RSL

Shown below is the Lightweight Autobahn front wheel with a Lightweight Standard (Lightweight Mielenstein) on the rear. The Autobahn VR is similar to a favorite of mine, the Lightweight VR8, though the VR8 has the rim depth of the Standard.

With about 200 miles on the Autobahn front wheel, I’m really liking it:

• No hard numbers, but it feels fast. Glances at the speedo suggest that I’m not going slower by any means. Hazarding a guesstimate based on power meter, I’m estimating a savings of somewhere around 5 watts or so at 25 mph, and maybe 10 watts at 32 mph or so (versus my already good other front wheels). Very rough guesses based on power meter readings.
• It’s a terrific wheel on descents, such as upper paved Alpine Road in my local area; I can rip down with great confidence in supremely precise handling with the Autobahn.
• It requires more attention to cross winds, and no riding with hands off the bar (!), but it is much more stable than I had thought it might be, meaning it can be an everyday choice. Its mass of 840 grams is 85% that of a the set of Obermayer wheels (figures without tire or skewer). Which gives it enough inertia to resist buffeting much better than I had expected, so much so that I’m riding it every day. I have yet to experience a strong side-wind, but wind in my face or a angled cross winds are A-OK.
• Comfort is excellent.

It’s a terrific wheel that is far more versatile than I had imagined. Probably hugely undersold for its capabilities based on what I’m feeling on the road. I’ll probably just keep riding it every day, because so far no wind conditions have been problematic.

Lightweight Aubobahn VR 8-spoke front wheel on Moots Vamoots RSL
(crappy iPhone 5s photo)

Lightweight Aubobahn VR 8-spoke front wheel