Threading the Line: The Secret World of Rope-Spoked Bicycle Wheels

It started as a wild idea on obscure cycling forums and ended with a wheel that defies tradition. In a world where bike tech is often about shaving grams and maximizing strength, a handful of inventive riders are challenging the very material at the heart of the wheel: the spoke. Forget steel. Enter rope - specifically, high-strength, hollow-weave rope, meticulously crafted into spokes. Welcome to the underground movement of DIY rope-spoked bicycle wheels.

The story traces back to 2018, when Berd introduced their headline-grabbing rope spokes, promising wheels stronger than steel at a fraction of the weight. Their secret? UHMWPE, a futuristic polymer more commonly found in bulletproof vests and high-performance sailing gear. But with a price tag to match the hype, the DIY community was quick to ask: “Why not make our own?”

Forums soon buzzed with experimentation. The rope of choice became Robline DM20, prized for its minimal stretch and robust wear resistance - crucial for the relentless forces a bike wheel endures. But swapping out steel for string is no simple feat. Builders found themselves needing to modify hubs, adding beveled edges to reduce friction and wear. The process of lacing the wheel - a ritual familiar to any mechanic - now demanded custom jigs and precise brazing to create metal loops for anchoring the rope.

One documented method, pioneered by cyclist Ali Clarkson, involved threading rope through the hub, securing it with specialized knots, and tensioning it just like a traditional wheel. The result? A 24-inch downhill wheel weighing in at just 700 grams - light enough to turn heads, sturdy enough to take a beating.

Not all experiments rolled smoothly. Some tinkerers tried inserting steel spokes inside the rope, using a “Chinese finger trap” effect to lock everything in place. The sticking point: finding an adhesive that could withstand the flex and repeated loading without cracking or slipping. Other issues included sourcing the right rope and ensuring consistent tension across all spokes.

Despite the challenges, the rope-spoke revolution showcases the intersection of curiosity, engineering, and a dash of rebellious spirit. It’s a testament to the DIY ethos: when commercial innovation sets the bar high, the underground finds a way to leap over it - or, in this case, thread right through it.

As more riders look for performance gains and unique builds, rope spokes might just be the next big twist in the wheel of cycling innovation. Or perhaps, like many experimental trends, it will remain a fascinating footnote - a fiber-threaded testament to what happens when technology and tenacity collide.

WIKICROOK

• UHMWPE: UHMWPE is a high-strength, lightweight polymer used in secure hardware and protective gear for its durability and resistance to physical attacks.
• Bevel: A bevel is an angled edge on hardware, designed to prevent wear, damage, and tampering, enhancing the physical security of cybersecurity devices.
• Brazing: Brazing joins metals by melting a filler metal, not the base metals, creating strong, precise joints at lower temperatures than welding.
• Creep: Creep is the slow buildup of unnecessary user privileges in systems, increasing security risks. Regular audits help prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.
• Chinese finger trap: A Chinese finger trap is a woven device that tightens under tension, used in cybersecurity to secure cables and prevent unauthorized tampering or removal.