PSIMET = Cyclocross
Chicago has been Cyclocross crazy for years. PSIMET has learned a thing or two about what it takes to build cross (or as we like to say - "PSI"-clocross) wheels that will perform.
PSIMET 2012 Cyclocross season
There were no open molds available that produced a premium cyclocross rim. I looked for a long time. Everything that was presented to me was truly just a re-purposed road wheel. When I asked why it wasn't more cross specific I received the following explanation: "There isn't a big enough market to justify it." Shocked, I asked if they were kidding. "A market to us is thousands of rims. A market to you is hundreds of rims."
In that simple statement I finally understood why no one in the industry really made an actual carbon cyclocross wheel. They all simply dress up their road offerings. They make the rims appear "wide" but cut the gluing surface down to 17-19mm so that you can still fit a road tire on them. These are road wheels. Not cross wheels.
A True premium cross wheel is overbuilt for premium road usage. A true premium road wheel is underbuilt for real cross usage. That's a fact that won't change - ever.
Faced with this dilemma I decided it was time to bite the bullet and make the rim that cyclocross NEEDS to have.
Introducing the "38W" - PSI-clocross's first true carbon cyclocross purposed rim. It's the only rim like it. So much so I molded a PSIMET "P" into the rim to help make sure you are dealing only with a PSIMET rim, to keep others from claiming that they have what I have, and to keep internet conspiracy theorists from claiming this is just some re-purposed open mold rim.
It is a FULL 23mm in width with a gluing surface that was designed from models taken directly off of the industry's leading cyclocross specific tubular tires. No longer do you need to fill the gaps in the gluing surface with successive coats of glue in order to make it conform to the tire's shape! This also leads to approximately 25% more tire to rim gluing surface to help hold your tire in place. Think about that the next time to dive into a rutted corner on 22psi with your competition just feet in front of you.
PSIMET 2012 "38W" Cyclocross Wheel System
While the rim is the strength and feel of a wheel, the whole system including the hubs and spokes make up the whole system. Non-premium spokes or house branded hubs are great for saving money....remember that in December when the mud ruts are starting to freeze and it starts sleeting as they begin doing call-ups.
Even some of the nicest rim/wheel manufacturers in the world tend to try to save money on the most expensive part of the wheelset - the hubs. The hubs they use have long been known to be the Achilles heel of their systems.
For the 38W system I decided to use one of my favorite hub systems. Born in a machine shop in Petaluma, California - White Industries hubs have long been a favorite of offroad and custom wheel builders for the supreme quality and long term durability. Titanium freehub body, and double row driver support bearing, and steel rear axle are just some of the features that have helped this hub become one of my favorites. So much so that when Velo Magazine asked for a set of wheels to test it was a White Industries hub set that I used.
In addition to the alredy stellar features of the White Industries H series hub I have added another new featur that no one else has yet. An angular contact cartridge bearing designed for wheel use by the great people of Enduro Bearings. Quite simply these bearings replace the outboard bearings and provide greater bearing durability, lateral load handling, and overall lateral performance. 
Rounding out all of these great features I have decided that no true cross wheel is complete without premium spokes. I use DT Swiss Competition spokes on the 38W base configuration. Why? They work. Paired with brass nipples (no real cross wheel would ever have aluminum nipples).
The 38W system is currently available for pre-buy with units shipping late August to early September. I will get the pre-buy into the online store i have here, but let's face it....I am a wheel builder not a web programer. Regular pricing on the 38W system is $1399. Pre Buy will be $100 off at $1299 through August 14, 2012. To get in on the pre-buy - Order online in our store: http://www.psimet.com/Wheels/38W-Carbon-Wheelset/flypage.tpl.html or simply fill out the inquiry form on the left of this page and mention the "38W cross system!"
ALUMINUM CYLOCROSS:
In addition to the 38W premium carbon cross system I will be offering some of the best running wheels in cyclocross. Most know by now but I give credit where credit is due and I do not re-brand what I didn't have made specifically for me. Right now there is no better aluminum rim for the cylocross market than the Velocity Major Tom. What's more the Major Tom's width (23mm) allows it to be used in conjunction with the 38W carbon system to allow riders to have carbon and aluminum setups on the same bikes without needeing to change their brake setups!
Experience:
Here at PSIMET we didn't read a book about cyclocross. We didn't watch a show about it. We didn't sit and research what others "think" is something people should do when racing cyclocross.
We've raced it. We've promoted races. We've been up at the crack of dawn with a cup of coffee in one hand and a roll of caution tape in the other. We've been there before registration is set up and we're usually there after the sun has set and the stakes and fencing are well on their way to the next venue. We are solid members, sponsors, supporters of one of the country's largest cyclocross series (The Chicago Cyclocross Cup), as well as supporters of projects like Chicago.cx.
At the end of the day we know what it takes to deliver YOU a set of cyclocross wheels that were made for YOU. Born out of the cyclocross hotbed of Chicago. Not spec'd on a beach in California, delivered from some commune in Oregon, or from THE "corporate empire" in Minnesota. Just good people making great wheels to help you do what you do, better.
The PSIMET Advantage
The advantage of my wheels is that I consult with you ahead of time. I have been doing this for a long time and I have gained a lot of experience learning what works and does not works. The ultimate goal is to put you on the lightest, strongest, fastest, and most affordable wheels for your particular needs. The fact that each wheel is built by hand, tensioned by hand, and doesn't leave my shop until it meets my standards is an included bonus.
