Bicycle wheels with asymmetric carbon fiber rims
A bicycle wheel includes a hub. The wheel also includes a fully asymmetric carbon fiber rim. The carbon fiber rim includes a curved sidewall and a straight sidewall, the straight sidewall being thicker than the curved sidewall. The wheel also includes a number of symmetric left and right spokes connecting the hub to the rim.
1. A bicycle wheel comprising:
a hub;
an asymmetric carbon fiber rim comprising:
a curved sidewall; and
a straight sidewall, wherein the straight sidewall is thicker than the curved sidewall; and
a number of symmetric left and right spokes connecting the hub to the rim.
2. The wheel of claim 1 , wherein the rim comprises across-sectional height greater than 30 millimeters.
3. The wheel of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a thickness of the straight sidewall to a thickness of the curved sidewall is at least 1.4.
4. A bicycle wheel comprising:
a hub;
an asymmetric carbon fiber rim comprising:
a curved sidewall; and
a straight sidewall, wherein the straight sidewall is thicker than the curved sidewall; and
a number of symmetric left and right spokes connecting the hub to the rim;
wherein a ratio of a thickness of the straight sidewall to a thickness of the curved sidewall is at least 1.4 and
wherein the thickness of the straight sidewall comprises a minimum thickness of the straight sidewall and wherein the thickness of the curved sidewall comprises a minimum thickness of the curved sidewall.
5. A bicycle wheel comprising:
a hub;
an asymmetric carbon fiber rim comprising:
a curved sidewall; and
a straight sidewall, wherein the straight sidewall is thicker than the curved sidewall; and
a number of symmetric left and right spokes connecting the hub to the rim;
wherein the straight sidewall comprises at least two more carbon fiber plies than the curved sidewall.
6. The wheel of claim 1 , wherein the left spokes and right spokes extend between the hub and rim at a same angle.
7. The wheel of claim 1 , wherein the spokes are tensioned spokes.
8. The wheel of claim 7 , wherein the left spokes and right spokes are set at substantially the same tension.
9. The wheel of claim 1 , wherein the left spokes and right spokes are adjustable tension steel spokes.
10. The wheel of claim 1 , wherein the rim is a bead seat clincher rim.
11. A bicycle wheel comprising:
a hub;
an asymmetric carbon fiber rim comprising:
a curved sidewall; and
a straight sidewall, wherein the straight sidewall is thicker than the curved sidewall; and
a number of symmetric left and right spokes connecting the hub to the rim;
wherein the rim comprises a tire supporting surface bounded by a first vertical sidewall and a second vertical sidewall.
12. The wheel of claim 11 , wherein:
the rim comprises a cup bounded by an elevated feature and the first vertical sidewall;
the cup comprises a localized depression; and
the cup receives a bead from a tire when the tire is inflated.
13. The wheel of claim 1 , wherein the rim is a tubular rim.
14. The wheel of claim 1 , wherein the rim has a cross-sectional height of at least 70 millimeters.
15. A bicycle wheel comprising:
a hub;
an asymmetric carbon fiber rim having a cross-sectional height greater than 30 millimeters, the rim comprising:
a curved sidewall; and
a straight sidewall, wherein:
the straight sidewall is thicker than the curved sidewall by a ratio of at least 1.4; and
the straight sidewall comprises at least two more carbon plies than the curved sidewall; and
symmetric left spokes and right spokes connecting the hub to the rim, wherein the left spokes and right spokes comprise adjustably tensioned spokes.
16. The wheel of claim 15 , wherein the left spokes and the right spokes are approximately the same length.