Amgen tour of California 2012

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A look inside Shimano's shrouded wheel factory

  • When we say 'hand built'

    When we say 'hand built'

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • Dial gages help builders achieve exacting standards.

    Dial gages help builders achieve exacting standards.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Spoke tensions are carefully measured…

    Spoke tensions are carefully measured…

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • …and tensiometers are regularly calibrated.

    …and tensiometers are regularly calibrated.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Each wheel is catalogued for its lateral and out-of-round runout and tension readings.

    Each wheel is catalogued for its lateral and out-of-round runout and tension readings.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The Malaysia factory also produces a number of parts for other component lines.

    The Malaysia factory also produces a number of parts for other component lines.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Where does this go?

    Where does this go?

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The Dura-Ace build room is markedly different from the rest of the facility.

    The Dura-Ace build room is markedly different from the rest of the facility.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Chances are this area is just slightly cleaner than the service area at your local shop.

    Chances are this area is just slightly cleaner than the service area at your local shop.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Dura-Ace wheel builders are said to be Shimano's most experienced and well-trained.

    Dura-Ace wheel builders are said to be Shimano's most experienced and well-trained.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Shimano claims its C24 aluminum-and-carbon clincher rim is superior to what can be done in carbon fiber alone.

    Shimano claims its C24 aluminum-and-carbon clincher rim is superior to what can be done in carbon fiber alone.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Dura-Ace hubs are loaded up and waiting for the next step in assembly.

    Dura-Ace hubs are loaded up and waiting for the next step in assembly.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • It looks confusing, but rest assured this builder has things under control.

    It looks confusing, but rest assured this builder has things under control.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Dura-Ace spoke nipples are pre-applied with thread locking compound.

    Dura-Ace spoke nipples are pre-applied with thread locking compound.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A Dura-Ace wheel checking station is fully outfitted with an array of digital gages.

    A Dura-Ace wheel checking station is fully outfitted with an array of digital gages.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The Dura-Ace wheel building stands are the same as what is used on the rest of the line.

    The Dura-Ace wheel building stands are the same as what is used on the rest of the line.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • The truing stands look low-tech but are undeniably burly.

    The truing stands look low-tech but are undeniably burly.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Wheels are fully trued and tensioned by hand.

    Wheels are fully trued and tensioned by hand.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A Shimano employee carefully mates the rim

    A Shimano employee carefully mates the rim

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • Each wheel is catalogued

    Each wheel is catalogued

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • The Malaysia factory

    The Malaysia factory

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • The Dura-Ace build room

    The Dura-Ace build room

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • Dura-Ace hubs are loaded up

    Dura-Ace hubs are loaded up

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • A Dura-Ace wheel checking station

    A Dura-Ace wheel checking station

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • A computerized station

    A computerized station

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • Shimano wouldn't say how many wheels

    Shimano wouldn't say how many wheels

    Photo credit © Cycling News

  • Which way to the Shimano factory?

    Which way to the Shimano factory?

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Shimano's line of road wheels is fully hand-built from start to finish.

    Shimano's line of road wheels is fully hand-built from start to finish.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Shimano wouldn't say how many wheels it produces or sells in a given time period, but 'a lot' would probably be a reasonable guess.

    Shimano wouldn't say how many wheels it produces or sells in a given time period, but 'a lot' would probably be a reasonable guess.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • When we say 'hand built' , we mean it. Even the hubs are manually loaded.

    When we say 'hand built' , we mean it. Even the hubs are manually loaded.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Spokes are loaded, hubs are ready to go.

    Spokes are loaded, hubs are ready to go.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A Shimano employee carefully mates the rim to the spokes.

    A Shimano employee carefully mates the rim to the spokes.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • Ok, so builders have access to an air-powered nipple driver, but it doesn't apply any tension at all; it just threads the nipple on to the spoke to save a bit of time.

    Ok, so builders have access to an air-powered nipple driver, but it doesn't apply any tension at all; it just threads the nipple on to the spoke to save a bit of time.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com

  • A computerized station double-checks the build quality.

    A computerized station double-checks the build quality.

    Photo credit © James Huang/Cyclingnews.com