The Dutch firm M5 has recently released a new aerodynamic two-spoke wheel design that they have (somewhat unimaginatively) dubbed "2-Spoke." The wheels are said to not only be the most aerodynamically slippery wheels to date, but that their unique profile actually generates speed in some cross-wind situations.Well, that's what they say anyhow. The 2-Spoke website claims that compared to 12 or 16 steel bladed spokes, 3 to 6 carbon bladed spokes, or even full disc wheels, the 2-Spoke design "has the LOWEST air resistance of ALL existing wheels" making them "currently the fastest wheels in the world." But more than that, the company claims that their special airfoil design makes them "generate speed" when crosswinds hit the wheels at angles between 10 and 170 degrees. Hmmm. . .
 |
| In this shot, you can pretty clearly see the wing-like (or maybe I should say, propeller-like) profile, where the leading edge of the spoke is rounded, and tapers almost to a point at the trailing edge. Notice that the rim depth also changes from deeper at the trailing side of each spoke, and shallower at the leading side. |
 |
| Cue the "record scratch" sound effect: Scraaaaaaattttcccchhhhhhh! |
Well that's not a bit overly optimistic, is it?
Okay, so what do these wonder wheels cost ('cause they sure as hell aren't free, either)? List price, in Euros, is about €2400 for the pair, or about €1178 for the front wheel alone. Not quite as expensive as some of today's wonder wheels, but definitely up into the seriously rarefied air.
As often happens when I work on stories about bikes and components with hard-to-fathom promises of performance and speed gains for outlandish prices, I find the need to to go lie down in a dark room with an inhaler. So, as much as I'd love to write more about the 2-Spokes, I've got to cut this short because that tin of Proofide is calling my name again.
Hmmm...why does the name "P. T. Barnum" come to mind when I read these things?
ReplyDeleteLouis
Free Speed: if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the special "event" tires that are only good for 100 miles at a cost of $200 per tire. Then you need your special ceramic bearings in the hubs that need to be installed by a trained specialist and can only use a special grease that's $500 per gram and is only stable for 24 hours after application.
ReplyDeleteThat'd be great on my Schwinn!
Wolf.
Well to be fair, if you're slower, you gain even more time on that hypothetical 50km course.
ReplyDeleteI can still hear my high school physics teacher explaining the Tanstaafl principle. I thought Mr Tanstaafl must have been one of the greats of physics. Turns out Tanstaafl stand for There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.
ReplyDeleteDropping your stem a cm or two gives you more of an Aero advantage than any wheel ever will, and it's free.
ReplyDeleteAnd did you catch the footage of the team Sky trispoke today? You gotta love carbon wheels.
ReplyDeleteAs tempting as the "2 Spoke" is...I'm going to hang on to my money until they come out with the "1 Spoke".
ReplyDeleteI'll raise you, I'm waiting for the 0 spoke wheels.
DeleteUnrelated, I'm cycling thru Akron/Medina headed for Arizona in a day or two- currently in Erie.... Anything cool going down other then this winter weather?
ReplyDeleteJust got hit with a winter storm -- too bad you weren't in the area a week ago when it was in the 60s and 70s.
DeleteYep, I was in the thick of the cold and wind. Luckily enough cyclist looked out for me keeping out of the cold at night.
DeleteThey look undeniably cool. But I prefer wheels that can be trued by most technicians.
ReplyDelete