The wheel revolution: 1060 grams thanks to fibre spokes
The idea of flexible spokes is not new, but Pi Rope's new approach promises record weights with very good stiffness and durability. So we can be excited.
What the Chemnitz-based company Pi Rope is promising sounds too good to be true and is likely to generate real enthusiasm, especially among lightweight construction fans. In collaboration with the Chemnitz University of Technology, a synthetic fibre spoke has been created that should put conventional spokes in the shade by far.
The flexible fibre spoke is woven from a Vectran yarn and is said to offer the following advantages:
- High load capacity: spoke breakage is almost impossible
- Five times lighter than steel: only 2.2 grams per spoke
- Better damping of vibrations
- Same stiffness values in the assembled impeller
- High resistance to ageing and weathering
- Very high durability on the test bench
The Pi Rope wheels will be available exclusively with hubs and rims from Newmen Components. The spokes can also be coloured. Three different wheel sets are initially planned.
RaceLine One X.A.25 (XC to trail use)
- Aluminium rim with 25 mm inner width
- 27,5" = 1193 g
- 29" = 1236 g
- Price: 1199 Euro
RaceLine One A.30 (All Mountain to Enduro)
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- Aluminium rim with 30 mm inner width
- 27,5" = 1445 g
- 29" = 1513 g
- Price: 1048 Euro
XC wheelset with carbon rim
- Carbon rim with 22 mm inner width
- 29" = 1060 g
