INSIDE BERD SPOKES: World's Lightest Bicycle Spokes

"Berd spokes are made from an advanced polymer called Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). UHMWPE has 12 times the strength-to-weight ratio of steel and floats on water. Berd spokes have an improved fatigue life over steel and are impervious to the elements. This is what makes Berd spokes the lightest, strongest, and most durable spokes ever invented." - berdspokes.com
In this video, JOM Of the Gravel Cyclist crew joins the crew of BERD Spokes for a tour of the production facility in Hopkins, Minnesota.
"Berd spokes use 14 gauge threads to connect to standard nipples the same way metal spokes do. Opposite the threads is a loop, which is pulled through the hub hole and secured with a rod. Berd spokes feature a 1.8 mm diameter in the midsection and are 2.5 grams per spoke."
Links of Interest:
BERD Spokes - berdspokes.com
Berd GVX 22 Wheelset Review: Sub 1100 gram carbon wheels designed for Gravel! - www.gravelcyclist.com/videos/...
Gravel Cyclist's Route Library - www.gravelcyclist.com/gravel-...
Amazon Affiliation Link:
No cost to you, but every purchase made helps keep Gravel Cyclist up and running! - www.amazon.com/?&_encoding=UT...
Web: GravelCyclist.com
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Twitter - / gravelcyclist

[@berdspokes]

Thanks for stopping by! 🥳

[@edlorenz1552]

BERD re-spoked a set of my wheels with 321 hubs. The ride quality is unbelievably good. Worth every penny.

[@hansschotterradler3772]

I wonder how much "suspension travel" Berd spokes offer?? BTW, as a structural engineer I really appreciate Allison's demonstration of Berd's testing.

[@robstepaniak9284]

Hello! This is a tough one to quantify but I've had customers state that it "feels" like they are on an 80-100 mm travel bike.

[@thetart20]

It's about 2mm.

[@hansschotterradler3772]

@@thetart20 2 mm makes sense. Any more and you risk tires rubbing against the frame (depending on the tire clearance).

[@thetart20]

@@hansschotterradler3772 exactly. To give some context... I've done a fair bit of testing with these materials on a rig which I made specifically for the purpose. At 100kg load, a ~290mm long spoke in 1.8mm thick DM20 Dyneema (a Berd spoke) has about 4mm extension. With dynamic loads being close to 150kg, and the material obeying Hooke's law, that gives approx 2mm 'suspension'.

[@semyonmorozov849]

4:52 Allison's tummy just made my day...

[@GravelCyclist]

Friendly FYI, don't verbalize or type everything you think.

[@bengt_axle]

That's some real ingenuity. A simple principle that gives unexpected results. And not only did they create a new type of spoke but also many manufacturing and testing devices in order to bring a new product to the market. If the spokes are more elastic then maybe it can result it fewer rim failures or dents.

[@BIKE-PLUS]

The pulling force is greater so the rim must be strong. While driving, the wheels better absorb unevenness. It's worth it

[@robstepaniak9284]

Hello! We do find that our customers rims are better protected when they have an incident where the spokes are pulled at force. Because Berd spokes flex they diffuse those forces and protect from the nipple pulling through the rim.

[@howardduong5733]

Dyneema is also used in Berkley FireLine fishing line that i use for beading 👍

[@titter3648]

Ahh remembering back to the school days with those standard labview GUI controls.

[@JibbaJabber]

Might need to get some of these as backup spokes when touring!! Love the new slant on spoke tech and the guys and gals at BERD. And thanks Jom for taking us around on your visit 😊 #MorePlease

[@hardmtnbiker]

You didn’t mention the their “Re-Spoke” program. I think that this is awesome and when I decide which wheel set to UPGRADE I’m be sending them to Berd.

[@GravelCyclist]

They didn't mention the program.

[@behind-the-gear]

Never heard of berd spokes before. Very interesting! going to check out their products now.

[@GOmotorsports]

Really love seeing inside these companies. Thanks

[@johnsonjay60]

Thanks for the video! Ive been looking for a good one. Think im going with these for my xc race build 🤙

[@jerryanker2289]

Awesome Video. I need to purchase a set from them.

[@Samsonmetaphysical]

I may have to break into Grandpa's safe again but, I will get these.

[@mo-215]

Great video!!! If you can, head out to San Diego and tour Spinergy and compare.....

[@GravelCyclist]

Thank you! I can tell you first-hand the BERD Spokes product and spoke design is far superior to Spinergy. Lighter, stronger, better engineered. However, if I find myself near San Diego, I should tour Spinergy HQ regardless.

[@saddleweary5760]

Amazing

[@samuraioodon]

Jom, please do a review on these!!!

[@GravelCyclist]

See the video description, I reviewed the GVX 22 wheelset a while ago... it is linked there.

[@LordFata]

Great video, and fascinating technology! FYI the link to their site in the description is missing an "s", maybe this could be fixed?

[@GravelCyclist]

Fixed, thank you.

[@BIKE-PLUS]

I have had "soft" spokes for 7 months. It's a great product. The price should be lower😋

[@bushflyr7335]

So build them yourself. It's not actually that difficult. Otherwise STFU about the price.

[@whatwouldjacobdo]

“Enough gasbaggin.” 😂

[@semyonmorozov849]

How do the brakes (disc one especially) work with these wheels?

[@GravelCyclist]

Disc rotor mounts to the hub like with every other disc brake wheel.

[@Dr.Schlitz]

Hmm. How do these compare to Spinergy PBO spokes? How do the aerodynamics compare to Sapim bladed spokes? Why no deeper road wheel options?

[@berdspokes]

Hello! The most impactful difference between Berd spokes and PBO spokes is that our spokes don't use proprietary hubs or nipples, almost any hub and rim can be built with Berd spokes.

[@berdspokes]

Berd spokes are not as aerodynamic as a bladed spoke so if aero is the number one goal then they're not the best fit! But the reduced weight, increased strength and durability, and improved ride quality do a great job of overcoming that one shortcoming.

[@berdspokes]

We don't offer a stock road wheel deeper than 35 mm but we have rebuilt many deeper wheels for customers. While they may sacrifice the aero advantage of the bladed spokes that were replaced all of the other advantages outweigh that one disadvantage for them.

[@CarsandBikes]

I am going to use these wheels with my Niner MCR 9 RDO

[@GravelCyclist]

Excellent choice.

[@tobins6800]

I know of dyneema from military gear.

[@germanhernande0206]

Hola para comprarlos

[@jesuscruz836]

any difference in aerodynamics versus a "normal" spoke?

[@robstepaniak9284]

Great question! Berd spokes are just as aerodynamic as standard round Spokes.

[@blazejbch]

how long will they last?

[@GravelCyclist]

A long time, but you should ask Berd Spokes themselves for a more accurate answer.

[@paolosuter7769]

interesting

[@davewallace9048]

What happens if a spoke breaks I bet you the wheel goes to shit!!

[@GravelCyclist]

The spokes aren't under mega tension as with some wheels I have seen, but I doubt you'll break one of these spokes. Best to ask BERD, I've only seen a spoke break as you saw in this video during the fail test.

[@aae7725]

What's the purpose of your hat?

[@GravelCyclist]

To wear on my head.