Performance Wheels – More Complex Than Expected?
After explaining in Part 1/3: Wheel Requirements of our "Leeze Wheels 1x1" series the high standards that performance wheels must meet in cycling, we’ll take a closer look at the wheel itself in this second part. We’ll explain the key components that make up the wheel itself, as well as the additional parts that turn the wheel into a fully functional wheel system.
The three main components of the balance bike.
At its core,every Leeze wheelconsists of three key components: the rim, the spokes, and the hub. We would like to explain the significance and function of these components in more detail below:
1. Wheel rim
The rim is the outer, ring-shaped part of the wheel that holds the tire in place and serves as the base to which the spokes are attached. It can be made from various materials, such as carbon or aluminum. The choice of material and the shape of the rim affect its weight, stiffness, and aerodynamics.
Inside the rim is also the rim tape. The rim tape is a strip of plastic or fabric that is wrapped around the rim base on the inside of the rim. It serves to cover the spoke holes and thus protect the tube from sharp edges. Adhesive rim tapes (tubeless rim tapes) can also be used to completely seal a tubeless-compatible rim and enable use without a tube.
2. Storage
The spoke system is the arrangement of spokes and nipples that connects the rim to the hub. The spokes are the thin rods in the center of the wheel. There are various types of spokes with different cross-sectional shapes (e.g., round spokes or aerodynamically optimized blade spokes), as well as different spoke patterns that influence the wheel’s aerodynamics and stiffness.
Nipples are the small screws that hold the spokes to the rim. They can be made of various materials, such as aluminum or brass, and affect the weight and durability of the wheel.
3. Hub
The hub is the central component of the wheel that rotates around an axle and houses the bearings. It serves as the connecting piece between the spokes and the bicycle frame. Particularly important in wheel construction is the spoke mount of the hub: this is the part of the hub where the spokes are attached. The design of the spoke mount can influence the stiffness and stability of the wheel.
The hub also houses the hub bearings, which allow the hub to rotate smoothly and efficiently around the axle. High-quality bearings contribute to better performance and durability of the wheel.
Another component of the rear wheel hub is the freehub, onto which the cassette is mounted, thereby connecting the wheel to the road bike’s drivetrain. The freehub allows you to vary your pedaling or stop while riding.
A high-quality hub with low-friction bearings and a reliable freewheel contributes to efficient power transfer, low rolling resistance, and a responsive riding experience.
Additional Components: How a wheel becomes a fully functional wheel system
In addition to the core components—the rim, spokes, and hub—a wheel requires three additional components to become a fully functional wheel system: tires, an inflation system, and brake components.
1. Tires
Tires are the outermost layer of the wheel that makes contact with the road. They have a significant impact on the road bike’s traction, rolling resistance, and handling. Choosing the right tires can affect the performance of the entire wheel system. We offer tire packages optimized for our wheels.
2. Air/Pressure System
The tire system refers to the way the tire is mounted on the wheel and how the air pressure in the tire is regulated. Traditional wheels use inner tubes that are inserted into the tire, while tubeless wheels use special tires and rims that allow riding without an inner tube. Tubeless systems often offer lower rolling resistance and better puncture resistance, but require more maintenance.
3. Brake components
On road bikes with disc brakes, the brake rotors and brake pads are important additional components. The brake rotors are mounted on the hub and pressed against the brake pads to slow the bike down. The size of the brake rotors and the choice of brake pads can affect braking performance: We offer various disc brake configurations here. With traditional rim brakes, the wheel rim has a braking surface that is pressed against by the brake pads, thereby slowing the wheel. Here, the interaction between the rim’s braking surface and the brake pads is crucial for achieving high braking performance without damaging the rim. OurLeeze Ultra Grip Carbon Plus brake padsdeliver optimal braking performance even on carbon rims and minimize the risk of heat damage.
It is now clear that, in addition to the core components of the wheel (rim, spokes, and hub), other additional components are essential for turning a wheel into a fully functional wheel system. However, it is only through the correct selection and tuning of all components that a functional wheel system becomes a high-performance system suitable for the demands of road cycling. Therefore, in the third and final part, 3/3: Wheel Configurationand Optimization, we would like to explain in more detail which adjustments can be made to optimize wheel systems for maximum performance.
