Spoke Options on Wheels

Spoke options in brief
- HyperLite: world lightest stainless-steel spokes, highly proven and reliable, highly aerodynamic.

- Beta-C Titanium spokes: very lightweight, rather stiff, sensible to nipple-alignment and/or bad-wrenching, highly aerodynamic.

- Berd spokes: very lightweight, highly proven and reliable, very compliant (cut vibrations and spike-hits), moderately aerodynamic.

- Carbon-Titanium spokes: world lightest spokes, rather stiff, very sensible to nipple-alignment / bad-wrenching / crash and hits, moderately aerodynamic.

 

 

Replacing a HyperLite steel spoke
1) As first step mark it's exact position on the rim, that's very important for any kind of possible future diagnosis, corrections etc.
2) As the new spoke is in place align it's thin central section correctly.
3) Hold securely the spoke at the flat-round transition below the thread with Hyperlite/Megalite spoke holder (DT-TTSXXXXR05641S or equivalent).
4) Tighten the nipple from the internal rim hole
Warning: never twist the spoke thin section while turning the nipple nor for any other reason, a twisted spoke will break prematurely.

Lacing a Rim Replacement  (HyperLite)
Lacing HyperLite spokes on lightweight components requires a wheelbuilder with the appropriate skills and tools.
Here the basics:

Tools
- HyperLite spokes need a very precise holding tool as the DT TTSXXXXR05641S - red (or equivalent).
- DSN alloy nipples should be tightened from the rim side only with their specific square-socket tool.

Spoke Management (most important aspect)
- Mark the actual outer-face of all spokes before loosening nipples
- Always use the specific spoke holding tool also when loosening nipples
- Keep each spoke in it's old original position then re-orient its outer-face as it was on the previous lacing
- Lace as for the original pattern (see on Extralite.com the specific lacing instructions of your exact hub model)
- Do not overlap the spokes (should not touch each other)
- Tighten nipples progressively up to 120Kgf on drive side
 

Notes on Spoke Overlap
We believe that's a total non sense, it bends spokes, creates friction and wear and noises, all without a benefit.
We suppose that its only utility was on common old bicycles used in rural areas where many bikes where left together on the ground, 
circumstance where somebody accidentally walked on the wheel the overlap helped giving some more resistance on that type of load.

Replace a Berd spoke:
1) As first step mark it's exact position, that will be necessary when doing the "stress procedure" and any kind of possible future corrections etc.
2) As the new spoke is installed replicate the "tightening + stress procedure" as for Berd instructions.
3) Tension measuring: you can use the common Park-Tool device following Berd instructions.
4) Note that spoke tension sensibly changes depending if the tire is off or mounted and then from tire pressure too.

Replace a Carbon-Titanium spoke
1) As first step mark it's exact position, that's very important for any kind of possible future diagnosis, corrections etc.
2) As the new spoke is in place align it's oval central section correctly and hold it only with the specific tool.
3) Tighten the nipple from the internal rim hole whilst holding the spoke with the tool at the small-flat area close to the thread.
4) Warning: never twist the spoke while turning the nipple nor for any other reason, even a small twist damages the spoke permanently.

Note that carbon-metal spokes are extremely sensitive to the following
- Twist: head-to-thread section should never get minimally twisted not even during lacing.
- Spoke to nipple-alignment: each nipple should get perfectly aligned with its spoke.
- Avoid exposure to hi-temperatures as behind car windows under hot sun, transport, storage etc.
- Avoid exposure to hits with any hard object during riding, transport, storage etc.

Tensioning
- Our wheels are tightened up to max 120Kgf at the drive side (or Front-Left side).
- However the spoke "tension-meters" are tuned for steel-spokes only.
- Carbon fiber spokes require a specifically tuned tension meter (with a specific tuning-chart for each type of carbon spoke).
- Thereafter the easiest procedure is to gradually tighten the new spokes till the rim get nearly centered.
- Then slightly adjust all the spokes in order to get it well trued.

We recommend to test the wheel well before giving it to the customer.
Bike use and riding: avoid exposure to hi-temperatures and hits with any hard object.