racing legend, introduced the revolutionary 20-Millimeter Speed system last fall with plans to sell it as a Rolling Chassis only. Interest in the system was so strong, however, that he went back to the drawing board and came up with a modular system that will allow almost anyone, regardless of their frame and budget, to take advantage of the benefits of the oversize aluminum axles.
Instead of a Rolling Chassis consisting of a frame, forks, wheels, headset and stem, Speed is now selling each piece individually. Only the forks and front wheel must be used together, but they will work on any frame.
The new Speed M-Series 20 frames have 10- and 20-millimeter compatiple dropouts and new graphics.
Even better, the new Speed M-Series 20 frames include two sets of chain tensioner blocks that make them compatible with standard 10-millimeter and 20-millimeter axles. This means a consumer can buy a Speed frame now and use his or her current parts and upgrade to the full 20-Mil system later.
From now on, all Speed frames will feature the 10/20-millimeter-compatible dropout system.
"Based on feedback we got from consumers, we decided it made sense to offer the parts individually. Some people wanted to use the forks and front wheel only, others wanted the whole package, but wanted to buy it one part at a time. By making the frames work with any wheels, we made this mostly possible," Henderson said. "Of course, we think the whole package is the best way to take advantage of the 20-Mil system, but not everyone can do that. Now, you can buy a Speed frame and later upgrade to a Sinz Elite Carbon Pro 20-Mil fork and 20-Mil iHub wheel. And then, even later, upgrade the rear wheel to get the full benefit of the 20-Mil system. Or, just buy a fork and front wheel and put them your current frame," he added.
The new dropouts include built-in chain tensioner bolts and work with the included 10- and 20-millimeter tensioner blocks, allowing the rider to use standard wheels or the stiffer 20-millimeter through-axle Sinz Elite iHub 20 wheels.
The 20-millimeter rear wheel will not work with standard frames. Only the Speed M-Series 20 frames can accept the oversize axles used to stiffen the frame and wheel.
Speed also found a way to reduce the price of the whole package, dropping it from the announced $1,499.99 MSRP for the Rolling Chassis, to $1,379.99. The MSRP breakdown for the individual parts looks like this: Speed M-Series 20 frame with headset, $399.99; Sinz Elite Pro Carbon 20-Mil fork, $279.99; Sinz Elite 20-Mil front wheel, $249.99; Sinz Elite 20-Mil rear wheel, $449.99; Sinz Elite 20-Mil wheelset, $699.99. The Rolling Chassis, when purchased all at once, is $1,379.99 and includes a free Sinz stem.
Currently, only the 20-Millimeter-ready frames are available. Forks and front wheels are expected to be in stock next month with rear wheels to follow soon after.
"The rear hub is really the crux of the project. We have had very successful tests on all our sample hubs and Nick Koehler is racing on one. But before we release them to the pubic, we want to make sure they are right. We're really, really close," Henderson said, adding that he is working with several hub makers in the hope of adding an American-made hub set to the line.
The new 10/20-Mil frames have slightly different graphics, although the red/black paint scheme remains the only available color. The new head badge features the Speed "Bar-Code," while the seat and down tube graphics got a new twist. Each frame includes a Sinz headset; anodized, aluminum, 10- and 20-millimeter tensioner blocks and a set of tensioner bolts.
Each frame includes 10- and 20-millimeter tension blocks, pictured here with the corresponding axle bolts/axle.