Engineering and impeller construction

The balance bike is a perfect combination of engineering and craftsmanship. It is the transition between your muscular strength and the kinetic energy of your means of transportation. The world of engineering is a complex world that makes cycling what it is today - an efficient, environmentally friendly and versatile form of transportation.

Engineering in bicycle wheel construction is a fascinating discipline that combines both traditional craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technologies. From the choice of materials to the design of the spokes and the shaping of the rims - every element of your wheel is carefully selected to ensure maximum performance, durability and riding comfort.

This chapter provides an in-depth insight into the world of wheel construction. Our focus is on the fundamental engineering principles that govern the design and manufacture of bicycle wheels. We also look at innovative technologies, materials and approaches that are driving the development of wheels and redefining the boundaries of what is possible.

Engineering in wheel construction involves both traditional craftsmanship and highly specialized manufacturing processes. A world where precision meets passion and every little detail makes a crucial difference. Join us on a journey through the engineering feat behind every pedal stroke you make and marvel at the science and art of wheel building in cycling.

Components of modern wheels

The rim is the outer part of the wheel. The construction is made of the lightest possible yet robust materials such as aluminum alloys or carbon. The modern rims are aerodynamic and designed for the required load. The rims are made for clicher, tubular or tubeless tires.
Clincher tires:These are the "traditional" bicycle tires. There is a wire or Kevlar bead on the sidewalls, which is clamped into the rim hooks of the rim. A tube presses the tire into the rim hook so that it is held in place.
Tubular tires: They are also known as tubular tires. The inner tube is incorporated into a special casing. The tires are glued to the rim bed. They are particularly popular with racing cyclists or track cyclists because they are lighter and have lower rolling resistance.
These can also be operated at a pressure of over 10 bar.
Tubeless tires: This rim design does not require an inner tube and has a special rim and tire construction that allows the tire to be held airtight on the rim. The advantages include lower weight, better puncture resistance and lower rolling resistance. It is also possible to run significantly lower pressures in the tire, as no inner tube is damaged in the event of punctures. However, tubeless tires require tubeless-compatible rims and special sealants.

The spokes and spoke nipples connect the rim to the hub. The arrangement of the spokes - the spoke pattern - determines the stability and stiffness of the wheel. Modern wheels often use a variable number of spokes and dimensions to save weight and improve ride quality. The most common patterns are the crossing of spokes (e.g. double, triple) and the radial pattern. The choice of pattern often depends on the type of bicycle and the rider's specific requirements, and our wheels have spoke nipples with a lock to prevent them from coming loose during load changes.

Hub with axle:The hub is our central component of the wheel. The axle and the hub must absorb radial, axial and torsional forces as well as the load of the bicycle and the rider. We use high-quality materials and bearing designs to effectively control these forces and ensure stable riding performance.

Mass and inertia

The mass of a body describes the amount of matter it contains and is usually measured in kilograms or grams. It is a fundamental property of an object and determines its inertia with respect to linear motion, i.e. how difficult it is to accelerate or decelerate.

Mass inertia, on the other hand, refers to the inertia of a body in relation to rotational movements around its axis. It depends not only on the mass of the object, but also on the distribution of this mass relative to the axis of rotation. Inertia is therefore a specific property that describes how difficult it is to change the rotational speed of an object.

In the context of bicycle wheels, this means that two wheels with the same mass can have different inertias, depending on how this mass is distributed over the wheel. A wheel with the majority of its mass close to the axis of rotation will have a lower inertia than a wheel with the same mass where the majority of the mass is further away from the axis.

Therefore, a rider looking for a competitive advantage can focus not only on reducing the mass of their wheels, but also on optimizing the distribution of that mass to minimize inertia. By having less mass further away from the axis of rotation, the bike can accelerate more easily, react faster and be more agile overall, which can be a significant advantage in competitive situations.

Engineering and impeller construction