Hi! I’m Stan, a carbon wheel expert and lifelong cycling enthusiast. What fascinates me most about this sport is the technical side, and wheels in particular. For more than twenty years, I have worked in the cycling industry: I have been lucky enough to work with professional teams, to talk with top-level engineers and mechanics, and to test a whole load of technologies.
My background as a carbon wheel expert
In a professional team. I first spent a few years on the administrative staff of a French professional team, a first immersion behind the scenes of pro cycling.
In a shop. I then ran a bike shop specialising in premium equipment, in direct contact with cyclists and their questions.
In purchasing. Finally, I worked as a buyer for one of the biggest French cycling retailers, where I was notably in charge of the carbon wheel range. This role allowed me to meet all the major global brands, to understand their manufacturing processes and to discover what really lies behind these products.
The pro team side, the shop side, the brand side: it is this cross-perspective on wheels that I share here.
How I test wheels
My opinions are based on kilometres, not on spec sheets:
- Most of the time, I buy the wheels I test; otherwise, I borrow them.
- I ride at least 1,000 km on a wheelset before giving my opinion.
- I mainly ride tubeless.
- My routes are hilly, in all weathers and on all types of surface.
Example: my Newmen Streem Allround Vonoa review.
My independence
I have no ties with the brands I write about: no partnerships, no sponsored articles. This independence leaves me completely free to speak my mind. Here, there is no marketing BS: I say what a wheel really does on the road, its strengths and its weaknesses, even when that does not fit the brand’s messaging. My opinions are my own.
What you will find on the blog
No incomprehensible jargon here, but information that is accessible to everyone:
Cycling news: the new products, trends and innovations shaking up the cycling world.
Brand histories: where do the names that make enthusiasts dream come from? A look behind the scenes and anecdotes about the big cycling brands.
Technology explained: understanding materials, technologies and developments without the headache.
Practical advice: choosing the right kit, looking after your bike, optimising your performance…
And to put it into practice: the tyre pressure calculator, the tubeless sealant calculator and the rim and tyre compatibility calculator (ETRTO).
Whether you are a Sunday rider, a hardened racer or just curious and like to understand how things work, you are in the right place! I hope this blog will become a place for enthusiasts to share, where we can learn from each other and talk about what makes us tick.
So make yourself comfortable, explore the articles and, above all, feel free to share your opinion in the comments. We always go further together!
See you on the road!