Anyone know where to find carbon spokes?? -will

why?

_________________
nothing.

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.

_________________

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

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.

_________________
MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT! HUH!

Never tried them but, sheesh they cost alot !

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

_________________
Success is how far you you bounce back up after being knocked down

...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.

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

_________________
nothing.

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

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.

_________________
Ciao Zauri

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

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....

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):

_________________