Bicycle wheel and relative manufacturing process
A bicycle disc wheel or spoked wheel ( 10 ) is disclosed, comprising a hub ( 12 ), a rim ( 14 ) and at least one disc or spoke-type structural element ( 60 ) integral with the hub ( 12 ) and the rim ( 14 ), wherein said at least one structural element ( 60 ) is pretensioned. A process for manufacturing thereof comprises the sequential steps of providing a hub ( 12 ) and a rim ( 14 ), applying a compression on the rim ( 14 ) towards the hub ( 12 ) elastically deforming it, rendering at least one disc or spoke-type structural element ( 60 ) integral with the hub ( 12 ) and the rim ( 14 ), and removing the compression onto the rim ( 14 ) applied in step a).
1. Process for manufacturing a bicycle disc wheel or spoked wheel, comprising the sequential steps of:
a) providing a hub and a rim,
b) applying a compression onto the rim towards the hub elastically deforming the rim,
c) rendering at least one disc or spoke-type structural element integral with the hub and the rim, and
d) removing the compression onto the rim applied in step b).
2. Process according to claim 1 , wherein
step b) comprises extending a plurality of tensioning elements between the hub and the rim and tensioning them, and
step d) comprises removing the tensioning elements.
3. Process according to claim 2 , wherein the tensioning elements comprise bicycle spokes.
4. Process according to claim 1 , wherein
step c) comprises inserting a pair of disc or spoke-type structural elements onto the hub from axially opposite ends, and gluing each disc or spoke-type structural elements to the hub and to the rim.
5. Process according to claim 4 , wherein
step b) comprises the step of simulating stress on the rim during the subsequent gluing step.
6. Process according to claim 4 , wherein
step b) comprises the step of simulating stress on the hub during the subsequent gluing step.
7. Process according to claim 4 , wherein
step b) comprises the step of simulating stress on the hub and the rim during the subsequent gluing step.
8. Process according to claim 1 , wherein
step c) comprises press gluing said at least one structural element while it is removably associated with a respective support applicator.
9. A bicycle wheel comprising:
a hub;
a rim; and,
at least one disc-type structural element rendered integral with the hub and the rim, wherein said at least one structural element is pretensioned.
10. The wheel according to claim 9 , wherein said at least one structural element comprises a pair of disc structural elements, each rendered integral with the hub and the rim.
11. The wheel according to claim 9 , wherein the hub comprises a plurality of empty spoke attachment seats.
12. The wheel according to claim 9 , wherein the hub comprises a pair of flanges having facing faces, and a plurality of spoke attachment seats are hollowed out in the facing faces of the flanges.
13. The wheel according to claim 9 , wherein the hub comprises projecting lugs at the areas of contact with said at least one structural element.
14. The wheel according to claim 9 , wherein said at least one structural element is made of composite material comprising fibre extending along a plurality of radial directions.
15. The wheel according to claim 9 ,
wherein said at least one structural element is made of composite material comprising fibre extending along a plurality of chord directions.
16. The wheel according to claim 9 , wherein the rim comprises a plurality of empty spoke attachment seats.
17. The wheel according to claim 9 , wherein the rim and the hub comprise a plurality of empty spoke attachment seats.
18. The wheel according to claim 9 , wherein the rim comprises projecting lugs at the areas of contact with said at least one structural element.
19. The wheel according to claim 9 , wherein the hub and the rim comprise projecting lugs at the areas of contact with said at least one structural element.