Wheel builder Steve Hed passes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3-TVSzIgH0

Sad this morning after reading the news of Steve Hed’s tragic passing. Thinking of Anne and his family.

— Craig Alexander (@CrowieAlexander) November 26, 2014

Steve Hed, the founder of Hed Cycling Products,  passed away at around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Hed is known a pioneer in aerodynamic, carbon-fibre wheel building. He came to bike wheels via waterskiing, making skis with carbon fibre while he was in college. Later, he took that knowledge to cycling, creating some of the first carbon-fibre disc wheels in the mid-1980s. With his wife Anne, Steve started his wheel and bicycle component company, which is based in Shoreview, Minn. According to Lennrd Zinn, “[Hed had] a knack for finding low-cost methods for producing wheels accurately and efficiently.” The wheel builder also had good fortune with marketing. Anne decided to sponsor a teenage Lance Armstrong, who later brought attention to the brand during his Tour de France appearances.

Shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Hed. I loved him dearly as did everyone who ever met him. We’ll all miss him. — Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) November 26, 2014