Carbon Rim Test

When we design and manufacture carbon fiber rims and wheelset, we conduct a series of rigorous carbon rim test based on the EN and UCI standard. We only bring the carbon rim and wheelset to market once they are up to standard.

Today we’re going to introduce the related tests, taking a Zipp 454 nsw similar undulating carbon rim as an example.

Test Conditions:

1. Place the carbon rim on the test turntable with the dial indicator in the middle of the brake surface.
2. Turn the carbon rim around and record the maximum and minimum values of the dial indicator. The difference between the two values is the flatness of the brake surface.
3. The test method for roundness of the rim is the same as above.

Test standards:

1. The flatness of the brake surface is ≤0.3mm.
2. The roundness of the carbon rim is ≤0.3mm.

Test Results:

1. Flatness 0.13mm.
2. Roundness 0.15mm.

Test Conditions:

1. Fix the carbon rim on the special fixture.
2. Apply a force of 20kgf (196N) to the air nozzle, record its deformation and calculate the corresponding stiffness value.
3. The average value of the stiffness obtained by applying three different forces is the final carbon rim stiffness value.
4. Test the carbon rim once, and test the hand built carbon wheel again.
5. The built wheel is the disc brake rear wheel, the axle size is 142mm, the spoke tension on the driving side is 120±10kgf, and the driving side is placed upward during the test.

Test standards:

1. The stiffness value of the carbon rim is ≥10N/mm.
2. The stiffness value of the hand built wheel (rear wheel drive side) is ≥ 30N/mm

Test Results:

– Lateral Stiffness of Carbon Rim

– Lateral Stiffness of Carbon Wheel

Test Conditions:

1. Fix the carbon rim on the bottom plate of the universal testing machine with the air nozzle facing up.
2. Apply a force of 50kgf (490N) to the air nozzle, record its deformation and calculate the corresponding stiffness valve.
3. The average value of stiffness obtained by applying three different forces is the final carbon rim stiffness value.

Test standards:

1. Stiffness value (carbon rim) ≥ 300N/mm

Test Results:

– Radial Stiffness of Carbon Rim

Test Conditions:

• Inflating tool: bike pump.
• Tire model: Schwable pro one 25C tire.
• Tire pressure: 100psi.
• Inflating steps (Carbon rim, without hub and spokes building):

1. Install bike tire (Check how easy it is to install a bike tire).
2. Inflate (Pay attention to whether it is easy to inflate, and check the air pressure when the tire is fully in place).
3. Check the deformation of the carbon rim after inflating.
4. Check the deformation of the brake surface with inspection tool.
5. Inspection in water (Check the sealing condition of the carbon rim).
6. Remove tire (Check the difficulty of tire removal).

Test standards:

1. It should be easy to install and remove the tire. When inflating, the tire should be completely in place at 50-90 psi. After deflating, the tire should be stuck in place and cannot be automatically bounced off.
2. The carbon rim surface should not be dented or twisted after inflated.
3. The deformation of the brake side after inflated (both sides superimposed) ≤ 3mm. OK if the result passes, NG if fails.
4. There is no air leakage with inspection in water after reaching the specified tire pressure.

Test Results:

Test Conditions:

1. The built wheel is rear wheel, and set the spoke tension on the drive side to 120±10kgf.
2. Install a Schwable pro one 25C tire and inflate it to 100psi.

Test standards:

1. The yaw amount of the rear wheel after inflation is <0.4mm, and the yaw increment is <0.2mm.
2. The decrease of the spoke tension value is <20kgf.

Test Results:

– Change in Yaw

– Change in driving side spoke tension

– Change in non-driving side spoke tension

Test Conditions:

1. Drop weight: 22.5 kg.
2. Drop weight shape: cylindrical, flat bottom.
3. Test without tire mounted.
4. After the wheel is fixed, raise the drop weight to 48J (height 217mm), release the drop weight , make it fall freely to the outer circle of the carbon rim to see whether the rim is cracked or broken. If there is no crack or break, continue the test by increasing the height successively until crack or break occurs.

Test standards:

1. If the carbon rim does not have any damage at the 48J condition, it passes the test.

Test Results:

Test Conditions:

1. Fix the carbon rim on the special fixture.
2. The ascending speed of the machine head is 10mm/min.
3. Apply a force of 300kgf to the spoke hole, and test 6 different spoke holes respectively.

Test standards:

1. When the tension reaches 300kgf, there should be no cracks and bulges in the spoke holes.

Test Results:

Test Conditions:

1. Tire pressure: 100psi, tire type:700x25C clincher.
2. The load weight of carbon wheel is 70 kg.
3. The braking speed 40km/h and the average braking power 800W.
4. Continuous braking 80s, stopping for 5s is 1 time. Continuous test at least 5 times.

Test standards:

1. The carbon rim is not allowed to burn or blister during braking test.
2. The maximum heat-resistant temperature should be more than 190 °C.

Test Results:

Disc Brake Rim No Need This Test.

We always insist on combining fine craftsmanship with responsible manufacturing practices to bring you premium quality handcrafted carbon fiber wheels and rims.

You can also get more details on the page of “Quality Control in Carbon Wheelset and Rim Manufacturing“. For any questions, you can send emails to hello@bestwheelset.com

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