Parcours launches premium bicycle wheels incorporating rCF

The idea is that if vibration transmitted through the wheel system can be reduced, riders can stay fresher for longer, and ultimately ride faster and further. VibraCORE is said to alter how that vibration travels through the rim structure, reducing the energy transmitted through the system. Parcours notes that certain frequency ranges have been identified as the most important, either because the body amplifies them or because they drive muscular fatigue. VibraCORE is designed to address this at source. By incorporating Lineat’s AFFT recycled carbon material into the rim structure, the system is able to absorb and dissipate vibrational energy before it reaches the rider.

The technology specifically targets the frequency ranges most strongly associated with rider?perceived “road buzz,” the high?frequency vibrations that make rough roads feel harsh and fatiguing, Parcous says.

At typical road pressures, testing is reported to show that VibraCORE provides a reduction in RMS vibrational energy equivalent to lowering tire pressure by around 10–15psi, without the associated trade-offs in rolling efficiency or handling precision. This allows Strade GT to deliver a calmer, more controlled ride over long distances, while maintaining the stiffness, responsiveness and aerodynamic performance expected of a high-performance wheelset, without compromising on weight, stiffness or durability.

To validate the performance of VibraCORE, Parcours conducted controlled testing in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, across multiple riders and surfaces in a real-world environment. Vibration sensors were used to capture ride data and results were then analyzed in the frequency domain using power spectral density (PSD), with integrated energy and RMS values used to quantify differences in performance.

Aggregated across all testing, the data, Parcours reports, shows that rims using VibraCORE reduced vibration energy by between 19-23% compared to an equivalent rim without the technology. In practical terms, the effect is comparable to lowering tire pressure by around 10–15 psi without the associated loss in rolling efficiency or speed. The outcome is said to be a noticeably calmer ride on rough surfaces, with reduced high-frequency “road buzz” and lower cumulative fatigue over longer durations.

VibraCORE technology has also enabled the use of carbon fiber composite spokes which play a key role in the overall wheelset make up and weight. Alpina Carbolite spokes are used (21F/24R), chosen due to their narrow bladed cross-section, giving compliance close to a steel spoke whilst also being extremely lightweight.

In addition, while sustainability is not the primary driver of this project, the use of VibraCORE allows recovered carbon fiber to be used in a structurally meaningful, performance?critical application.

Parcours is developing a full cyclical pathway for its rims, allowing carbon fiber recovered from legacy Parcours wheels (including those returned through the brand’s Crash Replacement Programme) to be reprocessed and reused within the VibraCORE component of new Parcours wheels.

“The Strade GT is the culmination of two years of R&D, of rethinking wheel performance and offering a new approach to the market. We’re very excited to have been working with Lineat on the VibraCORE project, utilizing their AFFT technologies. They have brought a refreshing and innovative approach to the carbon reclamation process, mirroring our own approach to wheelset development,” says Dov Tate, founder of Parcours.

“At Lineat, we always want to work with the brands that mirror our desire to push boundaries, and Parcours are doing that in the cycling world, through their incorporation of VibraCORE using AFFT technology. We are excited to see how Parcours have unlocked and are utilizing AFFT’s vibration dampening properties and are looking forward to seeing where they take these developments next,” says Gary Owen, CEO of Lineat.