{"id":56463,"date":"2023-11-14T12:00:15","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T11:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=754116"},"modified":"2023-11-14T14:46:10","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T13:46:10","slug":"first-look-these-nobl-wheels-use-shoelace-spokes-and-oh-so-quiet-hubs","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/first-look-these-nobl-wheels-use-shoelace-spokes-and-oh-so-quiet-hubs\/","title":{"rendered":"First look | These NOBL wheels use shoelace spokes and oh-so-quiet hubs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Floppy spokes claimed to have 12 times the strength-to-weight ratio of steel alternatives <\/p>

By Tom Law\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 14 November 2023 at 11:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

These new mountain bike wheels from NOBL are one mighty upgrade, combining carbon fibre rims, Onyx Racing hubs and Berd\u2019s fabric spokes.<\/p>\n

The wheels use NOBL\u2019s TR35 G2 carbon rims and Onyx Racing Products\u2019 instant-engagement, silent-running Vesper hubs.<\/p>\n

Both of these are interesting in their own right. However, the Berd PolyLight fabric spokes lacing them together are the real centrepiece of these mountain bike wheels<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Shoelace spokes<\/h2>\n
\"Berd\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The spokes are floppy when they\u2019re not tensioned in a wheel.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Berd\u2019s PolyLight spokes are not the typical way of lacing wheels together<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Made from Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), Berd claims the spokes have improved strength and fatigue life over steel spokes, and are less than half the weight of 1.8mm butted steel spokes.<\/p>\n

Although the spokes might not look it, Berd states boldly that they\u2019re \u201cthe lightest, strongest, and most durable spokes ever invented\u201d.<\/p>\n

Berd claims the spokes have 12 times the strength-to-weight ratio of steel spokes and they are \u201cimpervious to the elements\u201d.<\/p>\n

Rather than having a head, like steel spokes, Berd\u2019s fabric spokes use a loop that\u2019s secured by a rod to stop the spoke pulling through the spoke hole when used with regular J-bend or straight-pull hubs.<\/p>\n

\"Berd\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The spokes have looped ends rather than a head.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

This means they can be used with almost any bicycle hub, including those that accept J-bend or straight-pull spokes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, the fibrous nature of the UMHWPE material means the spoke holes need to be prepped with a tool from Berd before lacing.<\/p>\n

Onyx\u2019s Vesper hubs<\/h2>\n
\"Onyx\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The hubs have been modified for use with Berd spokes.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Onyx has designed a modified version of its Vesper hubs to be used specifically with Berd\u2019s spokes.<\/p>\n

The hubs have a flange with hooks to hold the spoke\u2019s loops in place.<\/p>\n

Doing away with the rod needed for straight-pull or J-bend hubs should make the building process quicker and easier.<\/p>\n

\"Berd\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
There is a hooked flange for the spokes\u2019 loops.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

At the opposite end of the spoke is a 14-gauge thread that connects to standard nipples, just like regular spokes.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just the strength and weight (or lack of) that Berd claims are better than steel spokes.<\/p>\n

Berd claims the spokes damp vibrations 200 per cent more effectively than their steel counterparts, which should result in a smoother, more comfortable ride.<\/p>\n

Instant (and silent) engagement<\/h2>\n
\"Onyx\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The rear hub uses a sprag clutch for quick engagement and silent running.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The Onyx Racing Products\u2019 Vesper hubs glide along with minimal friction and are almost completely silent.<\/p>\n

This is because the freehub<\/a> uses a sprag clutch, rather than spring-engaged pawls or ratchet rings.<\/p>\n

The unique shape of the sprags enables freewheeling in one direction. Stamp on the pedals and the sprags wedge between the hub and driver at any point, providing quicker engagement than pawl- or ratchet-based hubs.<\/p>\n

The hubs also use floating axles to separate the drive forces from load. This further reduces drag when freewheeling. From my initial testing, they spin very freely in your hand and on the bike.<\/p>\n

The downside is the sprag clutch is heavier than other freehub systems, so the Vesper rear hub is not the lightest around. The hook flange version in the Berd spoke wheelset weighs a claimed 371g.<\/p>\n

This is 106g more than a J-bend Industry Nine Hydra hub, the closest you\u2019ll get in terms of engagement speed.<\/p>\n

Impact-resistant rims<\/h2>\n
\"NOBL\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The TR35 G2 rim uses NOBL\u2019s Sinewave technology.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The TR35 G2 is NOBL\u2019s cross-country<\/a>, downcountry<\/a> and trail-riding carbon fibre rim.<\/p>\n

The rim uses NOBL\u2019s Sinewave technology, where the nipple beds are raised compared to the rest of the rim.<\/p>\n

The Sinewave profile is said to provide the right amount of vertical compliance without adversely affecting lateral stiffness.<\/p>\n

The TR35 uses different internal rim widths<\/a> front and rear. The front rim has a 30.5mm internal width and 2.5mm hookless bead lips, whereas the rear is narrower at 29.5mm, owing to its thicker 3mm bead lips.<\/p>\n

The rear is also 40g heavier than the front, resulting in more impact protection.<\/p>\n

\"Shot\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The front and rear rims have different internal widths.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

NOBL claims it has redesigned the carbon layup schedule to improve impact resistance by 40 per cent, without a weight penalty, compared to the previous version of the rim.<\/p>\n

The brand says it introduces new material into the rim lips to improve flexibility and reduce the chance of damage to the rim or mountain bike tyres<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Keeping with the tough theme are the graphics, which are now laser-etched into the carbon fibres to improve durability.<\/p>\n

If you want to customise your wheels, you can do so with vinyl decals at the point of purchase or aftermarket.<\/p>\n

The sum of their parts<\/h2>\n
\"NOBL\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
The wheelset with fabric spokes (left) is over 100g lighter than the wheelset with steel spokes (right).<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

The NOBL wheelset with Berd\u2019s spokes weighs 1,522g on our scales and will set you back $2,188.<\/p>\n

NOBL sells these wheels with steel spokes for $1,650, but the wheelset is heavier at 1,686g.<\/p>\n

Both weights are with tubeless tape and valves installed.<\/p>\n

Given the added weight of the Onyx hubs, those weights are impressive. I\u2019m keen to see how these wheels compare back-to-back on the trails.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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