New wheels: The One-K concept
In 2019, Marcel Bücker decided to combine his work experience with his passion. At the time, Bücker was conducting research at the Leibniz Institute for Composite Materials at the University of Kaiserslautern and developing lightweight components for mechanical engineering and medical technology. The passionate cyclist realised: With the right technology, wheels should be much easier to build than with steel spokes and much cheaper than full carbon wheels, which until then had been unrivalled in their lightness but complex and expensive to produce.
"I'm not a big fan of monolithic wheels because they are expensive, cannot be repaired and are poorly constructed. The glued connections are always weak points," says Bücker. Together with two colleagues and with the help of a funding programme, he founded Evolime GmbH, which today offers road bike wheels under the One-K brand. Their spoke structure is a fibre composite that is automatically wound and formed into a kind of star by a machine. With a special hub and small parts developed in-house, a wheel is created that the racing bike world has never seen before.
Impeller concepts from Partington
At around the same time, but on the other side of the world, Jon Partington exhibited his version of a new wheelset at a handmade trade fair in Australia, which is also quite unique. Born in England, he worked with composite materials in motorsport, and his current product took the classic garage or, in this case, kitchen route: the first prototype was created using the oven at home and was more or less a lightweight copy. A lot has happened since then, and the company now has 20 employees and is in the process of expanding its range to the global market.
Bücker and Partington are united by the idea that a lot can be gained from the overall wheel system if you rethink it - be it about individual components or the system as a whole - and do things differently. Both of them are annoyed by the fact that the market for high-quality road bike wheels, apart from a few exotic models, is a monotony of almost identical components. The average wheel with a medium-high carbon rim and steel spokes weighs around 1500 grams, and the differences in aerodynamics and stiffness are only nuances.
Depending on the manufacturer - there are hundreds - you can pay 1000 or 3000 euros for a set, depending on the finer details: Ceramic bearings, matt or glossy surfaces and a more or less prestigious sticker separate the expensive from the cheap, but in terms of performance, the competitors don't have much in common. This is what we call "sophisticated", as we also recognise in our wheel comparison tests.
Different ideas of success
Bücker and Partington have at least slightly differing opinions on how to set themselves apart. One-K wants to use an automated, potentially highly scalable production method and proven suppliers to offer exclusive lightweight wheels at a lower price and is looking for the right compromises. Partington, on the other hand, is a perfectionist down to the last detail, whatever the cost. To this end, he makes almost everything in-house, from the carbon fibre to the bearing seats.
"We pay attention to everything: aerodynamics, stiffness, weight, tyre fitment, hub architecture, ratchet engagement, comfort, riding noise. Users also enjoy aesthetics, an appreciation of technology or a different manufacturing method," says Jon Partington. His target group is looking for something special and unique. This is reflected in the price of his wheels. However, it is not only small individualists who see the opportunity to stand out from the crowd with new technologies.
Wheel concepts from Cadex, Syncros and Scope
Cadex and Syncros, brands of industry heavyweights Giant and Scott, are also pushing into the market for high-end wheels with a great deal of carbon expertise and advanced manufacturing methods. The fact that the products are independent developments and do not come from any supplier is visible from afar. The manufacturers not only want to make their own racing bikes even better, but above all: lighter and more aerodynamic. Cadex and Syncros have also set their sights on customers who do not ride a Giant or Scott.
The Scope brand is also looking to distance itself from the average. The Dutch company once started out as a classic wheel manufacturer with inexpensive complete packages of standard components. Because the opportunities for growth in a market with countless suppliers are limited, technical innovations should bring more independence and market share. To this end, the company enlisted the support of German aerodynamics expert Lars Teutenberg, among others. With 3D pressure hubs, carbon spokes and a rim with a fish-scale design, the aim is to raise wheels to a new level of performance so that they are no longer perceived as one of many.
What all candidates have in common is the use of a lot of carbon. This means that they are not as easy to repair as conventionally stored wheels, but are easier to break. All manufacturers therefore offer so-called crash replacement programmes, which grant discounts in the event of damage - sometimes more (Partington), sometimes less generous (Syncros).
Steel spokes as a reference
But what are the benefits of these sometimes exalted-looking designs on the road, in races and in the battle for seconds? We took a closer look at the five candidates with their alternative concepts and categorise what they can do better than a modern, good aero wheel with a classic design. Our reference is a Zipp 404, a conventional, fast aero wheel, similar to those ridden by professionals. In the disciplines of weight, aerodynamics and stiffness, it represents the average or, to put it positively, the state of the art.
The comparison shows that a lot can be gained, especially in terms of the weight of the wheels. Many candidates can also be significantly laterally stiffer, although it is debatable how useful this is depending on the requirements. In contrast, there is little to no progress in terms of aerodynamics; none of them are significantly faster than the reference. Because the candidates are very different and there are not always standardised measurements - some of the comparative measurements with the Zipp were carried out on different bikes - we do not award any marks in this comparison. However, the profiles show at a glance where the wheels have their strengths and possibly also weaknesses.
5 models from the 5 manufacturers
Wheels: Cadex Max 40
In more recent years, the Giant brand caused a stir with progressive products. For example, Cadex was one of the first suppliers to consistently use hookless rim profiles on racing bikes. The Max 40, developed with the TCR lightweight road bike, is the latest evolutionary stage and the lightest wheel to date. Instead of being threaded as in the past, the ultra-flat and razor-sharp spokes are firmly laminated into the hub flange. They can no longer be replaced, but the wheel can still be centred or tensioned through the rim base.
32 spokes and the large flange on the drive side form an extremely stable rear wheel, while the front wheel is averagely stiff with 16 spokes. In terms of weight, the new Cadex wheels come close to the level of lightweight wheels, but are aerodynamically better: in the TCR wind tunnel test, there was no measurable difference to the fast reference Zipp 404 despite the significantly flatter rim. Professional teams Jayco-AlUlaThe rims come with discreet black decals as standard.
details
- Price: 3800 Euro
- Width x height/inside width: 28 x 40/26.4 millimetres
- Guarantee/weight limit: LL, CR/k.A.*
Measured values
- Weight front/rear: 563/710 gram (-227 gram**)
- Aerodynamics: +/-0 Watt**
- Stiffness front/rear: 44/49 N/mm (+15 %**)
Wheels: One-K RD-S
Since testing the RD Ultimate in TOUR 2/22, the newcomers from Rhineland-Palatinate have produced by far the lightest wheelset we currently know: 950 grams for both wheels. The RD-S has an identical design, is 183 grams heavier with a more robust rim, but is much stiffer on the sides and is approved for a rider weight of up to 120 kilograms. According to the manufacturer, the advantages of the distinctive spoke mesh are a load-appropriate connection because the fibres are not glued but laid in loops.
In addition, the design is cheaper than full carbon wheels thanks to less manual labour and is quite easy to repair: Replacing a damaged spoke star is estimated at a favourable 150 euros, the rim is a mass-produced Duke product and there is also a crash-replacement regulation. The RD-S continues to excel in terms of weight and acceleration and is just ahead of Partington in this elite field. Riders around 80 kilograms can live with the stiffness, others are better at aerodynamics. If you are mainly looking for a lightweight bike and don't want to faint at the price, One-K is the right choice.
details
- Price: 2899 Euro
- Width x height/inside width: 28 x 36/21 millimetres
- Warranty/weight limit: 3 years, CR/120 kg*
Measured values
- Weight front/rear: 526/604 grammes (-370 grams**)
- Aerodynamics: +4 watts**
- Stiffness: (front/rear: 42/41 N/mm) +/-0 %**
Wheels: Partington R-Series MKII R39/44
It is not only the dizzying price that makes it clear that Partington wheels are absolute premium products. On closer inspection, the attention to detail and flawless workmanship are striking. High-gloss carbon spokes, which change their cross-section as they run, are said to be out of shape. They wrap around the hub body to hold the hub; carbon anchors are fixed in the rim, which is laminated onto a foam core, into which the ends are then glued.
The rim well of the rim, which is quite narrow at 21 millimetres, is then sealed, centring is impossible and, according to the manufacturer, unnecessary, and repairs are generally too costly. However, there is a generous replacement in the event of an accident: Free of charge for the first two years, then staggered discounts. The version shown is already at the forefront in terms of weight; with a flatter 31-millimetre rim, the set should be a further 100 grams lighter. The stiffness is high and there is little potential in terms of aerodynamics. All in all, the characteristics are convincing, but extremely expensive. It is rumoured that professionals have already knocked on the door to ride the wheels at the Tour de France, contrary to their sponsorship contracts.
details
- Price: 7500 Euro
- Width x height front/rear / inside width: 27 x 40/45 / 21 millimetres
- Warranty/weight limit: 2 years, CR/110 kg*
Measured values
- Weight front/rear: 526/604 grammes (-321 gram**)
- Aerodynamics: +2 watts**
- Stiffness front/rear: 55/48 N/mm (+20 %**)
Wheels: Scope Artech 6
For the new Artech series, the team from Eindhoven in the Netherlands uses its years of experience in classic wheel construction and optimises the individual components. The rim with scale relief is particularly striking; it is designed to be faster and more stable in crosswinds. Under the special surface, weight has been saved by reducing the wall thickness and reinforcing the spoke holes; the wide, flat spokes are made of carbon. Only on closer inspection does another special feature become apparent: the hub flanges hold the spoke heads in a delicate, organic-looking structure that could not be produced using drilling and milling machines.
The hub bodies are produced using a 3D printing process, which makes them extremely light. There are also fine details such as a titanium toothed disc freewheel. The Artech scores highly in terms of weight, almost 250 grams less than a classic steel-spoke wheel with a comparable rim height is a success, especially as the individual components can be replaced in the event of damage. The stiffness is still okay, but no progress. Tests of these models will have to show whether the even lighter versions with flatter rims reveal any weaknesses in this respect.
details
- Price: 3998 Euro
- Width x height/inside width: 31 x 65/23 millimetres
- Guarantee/weight limit: LL, CR/no limit*
Measured values
- Weight front/rear: 586/667 grams (-247 grams**)
- Aerodynamics: -2 watts**
- Stiffness front/rear: 55/48 N/mm (-10 %**)
Wheels: Syncros Capital SL Aero
Strictly speaking, the Capital SL wheels are not entirely new; the Silverton SL already exists as a similarly manufactured MTB version. The characteristic feature is the combination of rim and spokes, which is baked as a coherent carbon part in a mould. Spoke crossings reinforced with carbon filaments and spokes running around the hub body should result in an extremely stable and at the same time extremely light wheel. The hub with DT Swiss internals is only inserted into the monocoque with a positive fit and additionally glued at the end.
Even heavy riders can't complain about the stiffness of the construction. The 60-millimetre rim shown was in a Scott Foilwhich will be supplied as standard in the top version from this model year, is aerodynamically on a par with the reference Zipp 404, but a good 200 grams lighter. A flatter (and two millimetres wider) version saves a further 120 grams, but is four watts slower. A not unimportant note: The hookless rim, as of 2024, is only compatible with a limited number of tyres, with some only from 30 millimetres wide.
details
- Price: 3998 Euro
- Width x height/inside width: 31 x 60/23 millimetres
- Warranty/weight limit: 2 years, CR/k.A.*
Measured values
- Weight front/rear: 592/697 grams (-211 grams**)
- Aerodynamics: -1 Watt**
- Stiffness front/rear: 45/48 N/mm (+10 %**)
Jens Klötzer
Editor
