Just thought I'd share something I posted in the freestyle section the racin' guys might dig.



Link: Original thread with a long write-up

ah, i dig what you did with those wheels and all -- but i don't understand why you keep associating the "graphite aspect" with them ..... i mean you modified basic nylon Tuffs with alloy Campy Flanged hubs - theres nothing graphite about them. (aside the fact that style hub was normally only available on the graphite model tuffs) - not knocking ya, just don't get why.

Same thing I was wondering????

Ultra Cool Maurice!

Makes me want to go downstairs and rebuild some Tuffs

Great job on the wheels.

Great job on the wheels, and it was nice meeting you at the Roseville show.

Thanks Ken. Thanks Ghostrider. Nice to have met you too. Looking forward to next year's Roseville.

I didn't realize the "graphite" term would rub people the wrong way.

Maybe I should have put quotes around the "graphite" to make it more clear but it's a nod to the age old reference that was made back in the day. At least around here in the early 80's there were these mythical "white graphites" people would refer to so I guess that's why. I mean, of course I know about there being no actual graphite involved.

We're splitting hairs at this point but while graphite was a material in the wheels themselves, it also became a kind of brand and product name. So much so that the later hubs had the word "graphite" stamped in them.

I guess it's just easier to say "colored graphites" than "colored Tuffs with first generation campagnolo hubs that were used in the graphite wheels".

Whatever though: tomato, tomahto - repro, repop.

Anybody have an OG set of Graphites with the red or blue colored Campy graphite hubs?

So did Dominguez really colour in his metal flanges with a blue magic marker?

thats the thing though --- they aren't graphites, as the actual graphites made of graphite could only be black - they don't take color and the graphite labeled hubs would only appear on the actual black graphite mags (at least that is what was offered publicly, any mods. or special runs were usually limited to sponsored/team riders, as your well aware)

like i said i ain't knockin' ya in any respect --- just making sure things are explained correctly so as to not confuse the reality of it (or myself - lol)

color tuffs are just that, colored tuffs .... graphites are strictly black


so what you have there are Tuff IIs that have been modified w/alloy flange campy hubs ---- and yes i still think its an amazing undertaking w/quite an exquisite result.

Right, I hear you. I know the whole argument graphite colored wheels being impossible. I was riding and working for Skyway when they brought the hammer down on Peregrine for calling all their colored wheels graphites.

It's just a terminology thing for me: they're hybrid wheels now with no product name so they just need a short name. How about "Campy Tuffs"? Works for me.

Yeah, no problem though. I know it sounds funky. i'm known for using odd terminology throughout. I always got a kick out of people in our area calling them "white graphites" too so it's kind of tongue in cheek when I say it.

I'm not sure about any other colored anodized flanges. I've never seen any myself other than Mike D's white Tuffs and I believe he did just marker his. But, I can't state that as fact. Jay, who rebuilt a bike to match might now for sure.

I have in mind to do an evolution of the Tuff Wheel web page at some point. Maybe even collect up some really technical questions and see if the resident engineer at Skyway Rein would do an interview.

What have you guys seen as far as other colored flanges?

"Campy Tuffs" has a nice ring to it --- i'd consider a set myself if i wasn't so lazy - that and the fact i'd happen across a second stash of flanges and parts like you did is slim and none ....

guess i'll just have to appreciate droolin' over yours - LOL

the wheels are sweet regardless of terminology. love the white ones.

on second thought Maurice your completly wrong and you should just ship all those graphites/campy tuff/peregrine/metal flange, etc. to me...

Those wheels look super cool.

I'll always have a soft spot for Tuff wheels. I had Tuff I's one my very first BMX bike. If they were only a bit stiffer and had a better braking surface, I'd still ride them...

The flanges look great, Maurice.

I found a few blue ones floating around at Skyway.....

Coolness!!

So Ed - they are OG?

Ed always comes up with the cool stuff!

Yeah! those are the ones, I remember a Team Skyway pic that had a couple riders sitting on their bikes and they had the blue flanges.
Thanks Ed, those are super cool!