If any of you have ever met Brent Delrosario you will know that he is best categorized as a mover and shaker. He is always conjuring up some new idea whether it is making fashionable handbags out of recycled bib numbers or pioneering, creating, and building his own cutting edge wheel company, Flit Wheels.
With the dawn of more readily available space age materials, racers are no longer just racing each other but rather in a race of innovation. For years, a good set of race wheels could set you back virtually the price of your complete bike or maybe even your first car.
Flit Wheels, created by our very own Michigander Brent and fellow WSC member, has proven to be a savior of sort to deliver the racing market from the banes of over-priced race wheels. Brent has clearly displayed that quality does not have to be sacrificed with reduced cost.
Recently, I had the privilege to sit down with Brent and ask him a few questions about the brains behind Flit Wheels.
First off, why Flit Wheels?
Honestly, I have no clue.
What inspired you to start your own wheel building company?
It’s a true fairytale. Last winter we were looking for some high end track racing wheels for Maia. Nothing could be found in our budget, so we sat around that night talking how they need to make high-end wheels for the budget racer. But they still gotta be Billy bad ass fast. Then we realized, "why not us?"
What do you hope to accomplish with Flit Wheels?
We starting this to get young racers a chance to compete with high-end equipment -without the high-end price tag
Is there any discipline you see Flit focusing on (mtb, road, track TT?)
Right now its road and track with some cx and TT flavor. But we don’t want to be tunnel visioned.
There are a lot of carbon MTB wheels hitting the market these days...any future plans to delve into this market?
We are actually looking into it. What we would like to do would is offer wheels for all mtb wheel sizes. Right now we are working on a crazy light (1050g/set) climbing tubular wheel set, and a deep carbon clincher wheel set. Our aluminum clinchers will be ready by x-mas. I think tubeless road wheels/tires are going to start growing. Corima just jumped on the band-wagon. We always got something cooking in the oven.
Is there any future sponsorship plans for any teams in the future?
Crossing fingers on working with the Wolverine Elite team. Negotiations are on the table as I type this. We have also been talking to some continental and USAC protour teams as well. Nothing is a sure go yet.
Are there any racers on your product currently?
Nothing structured. Luke got on the podium at elite nats on some Flit wheels. Cruise will be going to collegiate cx nats on FLIT Wheels. Been trying to get the world renowned Tim Finkel to ride them, but he wants a signed contract first.
If you could have any cyclist in the world ride and represent Flit, who would it be and why?
Many riders run thru my mind. lance, mario chippo, hoy, the cricket, jens v, local hero F. Andreau, renkema, luke, cruise, dybo, sammut, maia, bruce carlson, kroske, DZ, mcEwen, cody brown, boonen, elias, M.Ball, benson brothers, and nick c -id be honered if anyone on that list would rep Flit. (yes i know, i missed a ton of you guys-you know i would be honered if you rep'd Flit)
Your wheels seem to be reasonably inexpensive, good quality, and Light weight...Tom Ritchey used to say Light, Cheap, Strong: You only get to pick two. However, it seems that Flit has been able to accomplish all three...how have you managed to achieve this?
It’s hard to say. Right now we are not concerned about making money. The orginal model we made for flit started out as a project, not business. We are never going to be rich from this, so we don’t make that our goals. Oh, it helps to know some key manufacturers that the industry tries to hide. It’s true; we don't CNC hubs and lay carbon in my basement.
There you have it folks…for more information and to order a set of your very own Flit wheels check out: flitwheels.com
