Thanks for validating my thoughts.  I do not understand why the Road Tubeless concept has not caught on yet other than needing to plunk down $1000 for a set of Shimanos nad not much from a marketing perspective.  I have been looking for a set of good training /novice racing tires and I think that the Shimano 7850 sl's have to be the way to go.  Speed , comfort, less rolling resistance, and on the road, repair capability via carrying a tube.

 I had not pulled the trigger yet because i did not know if this technology was going to continue (i.e. special tires.)  Souund like from the Road Bike Action article on Fulcrum that this technology may finally gain acceptance.

 One question for you, I see that both the Shimano's and Fulcrums will be running on 16 front spokes.  Seems like a small number to me unless the significnt casing material some helps with this.  your thoughts...

Thanks
 Mark Erickson

Thanks for the words. Road Tubeless is going to happen—it is only a mater of time. About your wheel question: There are two ways to build a wheel: a lightweight rim supported by a number of spokes (usually 24 to 28) evenly distributed around the wheel—or the Mavic-pioneered method where a stiff, slightly heavier rim is supported by a fewer amount of highly tensioned spokes. In the first case, the trueness of the wheel is strictly determined by the spoke tension; and in the second example, the rim is manufactured to be round and true, and the spokes act primarily as support members. The trade-offs are equal, as it is easier to bend a light, flexible rim than it is to deform a heavier, stiffer one. Once bent, the Mavic-style rigid rim is toast, while the lighter one with the higher spoke count MAY be able to be salvaged with careful tuning.
-RC

You can send your questions or comments on anything bike related to askrc@roadbikeaction.com