Mark Adams The redesigned Khamsin Asymmetric represents the entry level for Campagnolo wheels only because of its fantastic pricing. With advanced characteristics such as Mega-G3 spoke lacing patterns, oversized flange and Spoke Dynamic Balance technology it is clear that this wheel is a step above its competition. Campy Tech Lab engineers have pushed the quality of this wheel even further incorporating an asymmetric rear rim that, when coupled with Mega-G3 lacing provides increased performance in terms of lateral and torsional rigidity as well as reactivity.
DIFFERENTIATED RIM HEIGHT: 24mm at the front to provide optimal handling; 27.5mm at the rear for transmitting all your power to the wheel. –
NEW ASYMMETRIC RIM PROFILE: asymmetrical rear rim profile allows for better balancing of spoke tensions between drive and non-drive side, giving better symmetry to an asymmetric component. Increased efficiency and reactivity are sure to be noted. –
DYNAMIC BALANCE: every point of the rim is counter-balanced by an equal weight on the opposite side. Maximum stability of the wheel even at high speeds. –
G3 Rear Wheel Spoke pattern: perfect balance of the spoke tensions on both sides of the wheel. Reduces stress, increases transversal rigidity and the transmission of power to the wheel. Mega-G3 eliminates vibrations even with “heavy” cyclists. –
STRAIGHT-HEAD SPOKE: maximum stiffness of the wheel, maintains the spoke tension and long-lasting performance.
Campagnolo Khamsin Wheelset Review:
On Monday, on the way back from the Friday Night Ride, I watched a gentleman roll up to the stop light on a boulevard. It was a hot 90+ degree evening and he looked fairly heavy and was sweating profusely. I had stopped at the light and looked at him as he stood there, oblivious to the stoplight and the light drizzle. It was a good ten to fifteen seconds before he noticed the light and decided to continue on when the light turned green. I turned to the gentleman next to me and commented “He looks like he is going to be ripped off that bike…” He smiled and said, “Yup.” The light turned red and I stopped. There was one other gentleman behind me and he was catching up to me. The man in front pulled over as I started to move again. As he passed I heard what sounded like a twig cracking. I looked back and saw the back wheel of his chipped and worn out Campy Khamsin on the curb. He pulled over and walked back to his bike as the gentleman behind me pulled up and stopped. I rode on and stopped at the next light. I was on the other side of the boulevard, where it was not as heavily trafficked. I watched in horror as the poor soul tried to push the 5th wheel mounted on his Khamsin wheel for the car in front of me to see. I had a bike camera in my backpack and stood as he got more and more frustrated. I then motioned to him that I had a camera and would record his plight. He slowly realized what I was saying and I was invited over by the gentleman in the car behind me. As I went over to assist I spotted two gentlemen parking their bikes, which made me feel better about the situation and my camera. I showed the gentleman in the car “ther e” the front of his Khamsin wheel as I recorded. He spotted it and was not at all pleased. I asked if he would like it to be reported to the company. He looked at me and asked, as he motioned to his front wheel “Why tell the company? It’s not their fault.” I don’t think he understood my question. He moved the conversation to the gentleman behind him and asked him to move out of the way to get to his car. He apologized to the gentleman for tapping his car. The man said “It’s 22 years old, it’s fine.” The gentleman with the broken wheel pulled fire a “Ther-ES NO F***ING WAY!!” with his eyes and lips tightly closed as his mouth made a small O. I had been researching Khamsin wheels and knew this wheel range was discontinued in favor of the Khamsin Evo. I discussed this with the gentleman after he got home. He said he had purchased the Khamsin because they were the lightest wheels available from Campy. He was caught off guard as he was informed his wheel was not Khamsin. It was a wheel that was used on a bmx bike in the 80s. The gentleman said “I am not going to buy another Khamsin” I said “They don’t make Khamsins in this range, unless they are an older generation wheel, they came in a rim size of 18”. He said “No, this wheel is know in these forums (Attach Tab) as a Khamsin, it’s not.” I asked him if he had receipts… He said he couldn’t find them. He said he did not think to call Campagnolo first to find out if he could get some replacement spokes, etc. I said “There is a record of every Khamsin wheel ever built. From the serial number on the spoke, a person could tell you the exact Khamsin wheel you have.” He told me that it was his “first Khamsin malfunction”
Campagnolo Khamsin Wheelset Review:
People may not see the importance at first glance but I can promise you the next Monday when you are heading home at the same time after a ride and you see a cyclist broken a wheel, you will be thankful that your bike is fitted with a Campagnolo Khamsin wheel. After my ride, I went and picked up my Khamsin Evo-Asymmetrics. I figured I might have to do a product review on them but thought I would wait until they were broken. They are the most expensive wheel I have ever bought, after the ones I built for myself on the water-cooled Campy Shamal rims. The difference between the lefts and rights is almost unnoticeable. They feel very fast as you pedal. I feel compelled to mention that I have also been running the Power Torque cranks.
