Carbon spokes

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

willf03
Posts: 77
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2004 10:24 pm

by willf03

Anyone know where to find carbon spokes?? -will

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



User avatar
tobias
Posts: 140
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2004 11:21 pm
Location: haan* <GER>
Contact:

by tobias

why? :?: :?: :roll:
nothing.

User avatar
Florian
Site Admin
Posts: 886
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2002 2:45 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

by Florian

willf03 wrote:Anyone know where to find carbon spokes?? -will

AFAIK there aren't any available.

A long time ago (I think a decade) a US company made Carbon spokes, but they dissapperared shortly after because they weren't very durable (delaminations, snapping, ...).

Anyway, why would you want Carbon spokes? :|
Their advantages can't show to on a conventional spoke-nipple-rim connection.
Image Image

bobalou
Posts: 1006
Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2003 6:05 am

by bobalou

willf03 wrote:Anyone know where to find carbon spokes?? -will


Topolino makes a carbon/kevlar spoke.. but it will only work with their wheels because of the unusual design. I've never heard any feedback on these wheels so have no idea if they're any good or if it's hype, etc.

http://www.topolinotech.com

User avatar
Superlite
Posts: 2325
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 9:01 pm

by Superlite

Topolinos are junk. They are not that light, I've weighed a set at 1410g, plus thier aerdynamics are horrible, a true wind beater. Very stiff wheel, but not too durable, and extremley costly to repair.

Just my 2 cents.

Tim the Pineapple
Posts: 220
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 10:30 pm

by Tim the Pineapple

Never tried them but, sheesh they cost alot !

User avatar
Cyco
Posts: 1875
Joined: Sat Nov 30, 2002 4:49 am

by Cyco

The ones out a few years ago were light, (lghter than Ti) but not very aero (ellipitical, but more drag than a 2mm PG).

The other problem was the brittleness. They were fine while riding, but to build they were a pain in the neck. If you were a bit ham-fisted you could break them building a radial wheel, but with care you could get them in a 3x pattern befor the crappy thread stripped :wink:
Success is how far you you bounce back up after being knocked down

User avatar
tobias
Posts: 140
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2004 11:21 pm
Location: haan* <GER>
Contact:

by tobias

...i asked "why" because they don´t make any sense.
the common used "carbon", which means composite fibers have
very specific material characteristics. used as a mesh (like used for frames, forks,
trispokes...) they are able to cover bidirectional forces
much better than steel or al. but the usage on small dia with torsion
or pressure is againt its characteristics - that´s why you couldn´t buy them... :)
if you think of additional covering to improve aerodynamics, there
are a lot of clip-ons...but the´re not light...
cheers

tobias.
nothing.

willf03
Posts: 77
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2004 10:24 pm

by willf03

Sorry- I was thinking of the kevlar spokes like those on ADA's. But anyway, it was a novel idea, but not realistic.

User avatar
tobias
Posts: 140
Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2004 11:21 pm
Location: haan* <GER>
Contact:

by tobias

willf03 wrote:Sorry- I was thinking of the kevlar spokes like those on ADA's. But anyway, it was a novel idea, but not realistic.


ok, but that´s a completely different case. the ada/or lightweight spokes
are aramid-spokes which are laminated into the rim.
this combination is quiet stiff, because its one UNIT, not like the common spoke/rim-system containing of different parts mechanically joined.

if you try to go different ways in using fibers, there are many possible advantages, but a lot of the actual products are just technical copys of other materials (al) using carbon for the looks :roll:
nothing.

PSTOST
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 1:30 pm

by PSTOST

hhmm - I don't agree with you Tobias - On spokes it is only Pull forces and this is where carbon fiber is best - The problem is to get something attached to the carbon - like thread for a nippel.
This is not a problem with the lightweights and ADA's... as you say the spokes are laminated into the rim.
The aramid spoke on the ada has a carbon fiber spoke inside ! I think the aramid is only for protection - but not sure...
I don't know the details of the Lightweight spoke - but it looks like they are a combination of carbon and aramid fiber...
Aramid fiber is not stiff compared to carbon fiber

User avatar
Delpi
Posts: 163
Joined: Tue Oct 28, 2003 4:32 pm
Location: Italia

by Delpi

FIR Ronda:
Creation of high cycling technology, entirely made in carbon (rim,spokes,hubs, flanges) for a lightness and a structural rigidity unprecedented and without comparisons. An exclusive wheel in everything, also in the particular conformation of the bushes that subsequently exalt the extraordinary performances of it.

NB I have never tested them.
Attachments
RONDACORSAMIN.jpg
RONDACORSAMIN.jpg (3.66 KiB) Viewed 2568 times
Ronda Mozzo.jpg
Ronda Mozzo.jpg (4.29 KiB) Viewed 2569 times
rondacorsa.jpg
Ronda MTB.jpg
Ciao Zauri

User avatar
Delpi
Posts: 163
Joined: Tue Oct 28, 2003 4:32 pm
Location: Italia

by Delpi

SOURCE: FIR WEB SITE
Creation of high cycling technology, entirely made in carbon (rim,spokes,hubs, flanges) for a lightness and a structural rigidity unprecedented and without comparisons. An exclusive wheel in everything, also in the particular conformation of the bushes that subsequently exalt the extraordinary performances of it.
Ciao Zauri

PSTOST
Posts: 10
Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 1:30 pm

by PSTOST

The Fir ronda spokes is a standard spoke covered with carbon... no gain in performance from this spoke ! (only aerodynamik) actually it will just ad a little weight....

User avatar
Florian
Site Admin
Posts: 886
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2002 2:45 pm
Location: Germany
Contact:

by Florian

Delpi wrote:NB I have never tested them.

AFAIK they never hit the market so far and after beeing announced for almost 2 years they might turn out to be vaporware.

The spokes on the pictures look like steel spokes with carbon-wrappings in the middle section and when you look at the picture of the road version very closely it seems as if they aren't tensioned (they're bowing):

Image
Image Image

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Post Reply