I am very proud to announce our new filament wound road rim called the Vector. If you are unfamiliar with the technology behind filament winding then this may help you to appreciate just how special and unique these rims are. I should start off by mentioning that 99% of carbon fibre rims made today are manufactured with a tedious hand lay up process that requires skill, extensive experience and total focus. Simply put, not everyone is cut out for an exacting job like this. Needless to say, those who have these skills are of course very much in demand by top end carbon rim manufacturers.
But are there other ways to produce excellent carbon fibre products that don’t require such an intensely skilled work force? In a word, yes!
The process of filament winding carbon fibre actually goes back to the early 1960’s. So the process has a lengthy and successful history. But up until quite recently this technology had not been used in the world of carbon fibre bicycle rims.
Filament wound rims excel by profoundly reducing quality control issues often found in hand laid carbon fibre rims. Filament winding with Toray carbon fibre is done by a computer controlled machine that propels the accuracy and consistency beyond what we thought possible compared to anything done by hand. This sophisticated tech is the heart and soul of the Vector.
Upon a closer look at the Vector’s exterior you’ll immediately notice a series of complex intersecting lines that look like geometric shapes in a repeating pattern. This arabesque of intertwining carbon strands is a clever design that maximises the rims strength in the specific areas that need it the most.
The Vector employs state of the art carbon rim manufacturing techniques. A unique CNC process that uses Toray T700 carbon fibre to enhance overall accuracy and an improved strength to weight ratio.
I have built many filament wound rims over the last few years and I must say the quality is excellent and the consistency quite remarkable, far beyond any hand built rim available.
The Vector is a true road rim, available in a 24 hole spoke count with a 21mm internal width and a 28mm external width. Its 45mm deep and weighs in at 440 grams.
The 45mm depth is in my opinion the perfect depth for an ultimate road rim. Why? Because it offers a measurable aerodynamic boost, yet not so deep as to cause problems with handling when hit by a gust of wind. It also has plenty of lateral stiffness and strength and still maintains a nice light weight for climbing and sprinting. Really the best overall depth for any set of road wheels.
If cutting edge technology and sound design with a cloud nine ride quality are what you are after then the Vector ticks all the boxes. Get in touch and I’d be happy to build you some awesome road wheels.