PI ROPE wheelset 28" Road Light Strada 48 | Black Premium Edition
If the hills are your world, this wheelset is a must-have. Thanks to its high flank, you can really pick up the pace on flat sections and when the going gets tough, the low weight lets you fly up the climb, leaving your competitors astonished.
Up to now, there have been many attempts by well-known manufacturers to bring durable wheelsets with textile spokes onto the market, but all of them have produced less than satisfactory results. The young and extremely innovative think tank PI ROPE from Chemnitz in Saxony has made the impossible possible in collaboration with Chemnitz University of Technology. The result is a textile spoke made from braided Vectran synthetic fibers.
The material is extremely robust, resistant to ageing and weathering and has better mechanical properties than its steel counterpart. The tensile strength and damping are many times higher, but the weight of the fibers is five times lower. These are ideal conditions for a very light, yet durable wheel, as the rotating masses in the important outer areas are minimized and the flexibility of the Vectran textile spokes prevents permanent plastic deformation at high load peaks.
Thanks to the black PI PROTECT coating of the Vectran yarn before the braiding process, the properties of the textile spokes are improved. The treated surface not only looks good, it also offers better UV protection and reduces the influence of negative weather conditions.
In addition, the abrasion resistance against external damage, such as that caused by stones and branches on the trail, is increased. Any mechanical loads that occur are better absorbed and ensure greater durability. The resulting increase in stiffness is particularly noticeable when cornering. Another plus, the processing of the textile spokes, has been further optimized in terms of quality.
The rims come from the renowned manufacturer Duke. With the Strada series, the French company is ushering in a new era of rims. Lighter, more comfortable and at the same time more resistant than the previous model, they once again push the limits of physics without compromising on performance.
Particularly striking is the increased inner width of 25 mm. This is now standard and offers wider tires a better shape, generating more grip and greater comfort. This also has a positive effect on aerodynamics. Thanks to the excellent workmanship and the high-quality choice of materials, the rims are approved for a system weight of 110 kg and can therefore also be used for light bikepacking.Duke has once again opted for a rim flange with hooks to guarantee a secure fit of the tire even at high air pressures. As usual, the Strada models are also equipped with an asymmetrical rim profile, which enables a more even spoke angle. This optimization of the spoke angle has a number of advantages. The spoke tension on both sides can be better aligned, which is beneficial to the durability of the spokes and the wheel as a whole. The normally direction-dependent lateral stiffness is also adjusted, making the wheel more stable in itself.
In addition to the exclusive Toray T1100 carbon fibers, the SLR5 manufacturing process is largely responsible for the high-quality appearance of the rim. Thanks to the optimized carbon laminate, only as much material is used as is needed in the specific areas without compromising functionality, reducing the weight by around 20 % compared to the SLR2 rims. In addition, reworking or painting during the production process is no longer necessary. This saves energy and also ensures a scratch-resistant surface and a natural, glossy appearance.
Another interesting feature is the integrated DRC (Dynamic Response Comfort) technology, which guarantees controlled vertical flexibility and rebound of the rim on rough terrain. This significantly improves comfort for the rider and the stored energy can also be used for explosive acceleration.
In order not to impair the stability of the carbon fibers, the spoke holes are not drilled as usual, but are formed during the layering of the individual mats. This preserves the fiber structure and eliminates weak points in the rim from the outset. In addition, the vertical and lateral stiffness can be better controlled at these points.
In cooperation with the well-known German component manufacturer NONPLUS COMPONENTS, special hubs were developed to accommodate the special ends of the PI ROPE spokes.
Extra-large bearings support the black anodized hub body on a 17 mm axle. On the rear wheel, two more support the freehub body. Micro-gap end caps seal everything and keep dirt or water away from the inside of the hub. In addition, a unique venting system prevents the build-up of negative pressure due to temperature fluctuations in the hub. As a result, no moisture is sucked into the ball bearings, which ensures a significantly longer service life and noticeably smoother running of the bearings.
The freewheel mechanism is technically exceptional. The bevel gearing has a contact surface that is approx. 400 % larger than conventional spur gearing
spur gears and therefore enables maximum power transmission with minimum wear. Together with the hard anodized surface, the very elaborately manufactured back of the tooth ensures low abrasion and thus additionally increases durability. The 45-fold toothing results in a maximum free travel of 8°. This means you always have optimum propulsion in every riding situation.
The makers of PI ROPE have confidence in their products and offer a 3-year warranty on all material and manufacturing defects as well as a 2-year crash replacement.
If you would like this wheelset with natural-colored (Golden Shine) textile spokes, please contact our service team at [email protected].
Technical data
Application: Road bike
Wheel size: 28" (ETRTO: 622 x 25)
Rim type: clincher (clincher and folding tires)
Brake type: Disc brake
Brake disc mount: Center Lock
Hub material: Aluminum, steel
Rim material: Carbon
Spoke material: Vectran synthetic fiber
Inner width: 25 mm
Outer width: 31.2 mm
Rim height: 48 mm
Offset: 2 mm (asymmetrical)
Number of holes: 24 holes (per rim)
Spokes: 48x Pi ROPE Vectran PI Protect textile spokes / straight pull (black)
Spoking pattern: front: 2-crossed | rear: 2-crossed
Axle standard front: 12x100 mm thru axle
Rear axle standard: 12x142 mm thru axle
Front bearing: 2x industrial deep groove ball bearings
Rear bearing: 4x industrial deep groove ball bearings
Freehub compatibility: 11-, 12-speed Shimano Road, 12-speed SRAM XDR, 13-speed Campagnolo N3W or 12-speed Shimano Micro Spline
Freehub type: tapered toothing, 45 teeth | max. 8° free travel
recommended tire width: 28 to 61 mm
max. air pressure: 5.4 bar (with 30 mm tire width)
tubeless compatible: yes
maximum system weight: 110 kg (rider, clothing and possibly luggage)
Valve hole: Presta valve (SV), recommended valve height 63 mm
Rim color: black satin finish
Color spokes: black
Color hubs: black matt, logos - white
Weight according to manufacturer: 980g
Weight self-weighed: 974g (wheelset), 444g (front wheel), 530g (rear wheel)
Scope of delivery:
1x front wheel
1x rear wheel
1x spare spoke
1x tube of maintenance oil for textile spokes