Technology

UCI APPROVED

UCI Wheel Approval Process 

In the disciplines road, track and cyclocross, only wheel designs granted prior approval by the UCI may be used

The UCI has reviewed the application process for the approval of wheels (Article 1.3.018 of the Cycling Regulations) and with effect from the 1st of January 2024 the following process will need to be complied with. 

Wheels used in the road, track and cyclocross disciplines must meet the impact test requirements as specified in the standard ISO 4210-2:2023 Cycles — Safety requirements for bicycles, section 4.10.7.2.2., paragraph 2. Fulfilment of these requirements concerns both the front wheels and the rear wheels, independent of materials, brake systems and other characteristics. Manufacturers must apply for approval by providing declaration of conformity to the UCI. 

As from 1 January 2023, the wheel impact test requirements are now partially covered in the 2023 version of ISO 4210 where a declaration of conformity must be provided by the manufacturer. The wheel impact tests have to be carried out by manufacturers using their own testing facilities certifying, that the tests comply with the requirements. This self-certification is in common with ISO standards and as such is standard across the industry. 

Uccello Cycles has in house testing facilities to meet the requirements of ISO 4210. All Uccello wheels comply with ISO 4210.

Selected Uccello wheel sets have been reviewed and approved under Article 1.3.018 of the UCI Cycling Regulations

Hand Built Wheels

Hand built wheels are precision tuned for a longer life. They generally have finer dimensional tolerances; however the accurately balanced spoke tensions are the most important attribute that adds to the long life and high quality.

Uccello Cycles Wheels are hand built in Melbourne using the worlds best precision tools. All wheels are centred, trued and tensioned using a  P&K Lie Trueing Stand and Tensiometer.

The dial gauges on the P&K Lie Trueing Stand can measure to 0.025mm.

Hand building wheels is a time consuming process that results in a better wheel than a machine built wheel.

Wheel Building Accuracy And Tolerances. ISO 4210-2.

Intermational Standard ISO 4210-2 :2023.4.10.  Sets out the minimum standard for Bicycle Wheels. Rotational accuracy for Racing Bicycle Wheels shall be 0.7mm or less. That is the difference between the highest and lowest point shall be less than 0.7mm. Or expressed another way, the accuracy shall be +/-0.35mm either side of centre. Maximum dishing error is not specified in ISO 4210-2. Whilst opinions vary, the majority of documents indicate a dishing error of less than 1.0mm would be acceptable. A variance in spoke tension of 20% is also acceptable.

A very good wheel would be centred (dished) within 0.5mm and have lateral and radial run outs of less than 0.4mm (+/- 0.2mm from centre). Spoke tensions would be within 10% of the average spoke tension.

References:

  • International Standard ISO 4210-2
  • Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair, Park Tool, C.Calvin Jones.
  • Professional Guide To Wheel Building, Roger Musson, 5th Edition.
  • Barnett’s Bicycle Repair Manual.

Uccello Cycles hand built wheels have finer tolerances than those specified in the literature.

We centre our rims to less than 0.1mm. (Far more accurate than your frame dropouts).

Lateral and Radial runout shall be less than 0.35mm (+/-0.175mm from centre) that is half the maximum allowed under ISO 4210-2

Lateral and radial runout are far more accurate than the tyres you will fit.

Spoke tensions are within 5% of target.

Each wheel comes with a full build report which documents:

  • Wheel serial number.
  • Component specifications.
  • Dimensional tolerances.
  • Individual spoke tensions.

Premium Carbon Bike Wheels

All Uccello Carbon Bike Wheels share the following manufacturing technologies:

1. Super Light Weight T700 and T800

Uccello Carbon rims are constructed with Toray T700 and T800. Rims intended for off road use,  are constructed entirely of Toray T700 Carbon Fibre. Rim Brake Wheel Sets are constructed with a  propriety blend of T700 and T800.

Selected Disc Brake Road Wheel Sets are constructed with T800. These wheel sets have a rider weight limit of 90kg.

The T700 is renowned for its toughness under harsh conditions. The T800 adds strength and stiffness to the rim. The combination results in a very light and strong rim. However T800 alone is not suitable for a Rim Brake road wheel. Disc Brake road wheels are optimised with T800 for maximum stiffness and minimum weight.

2. Lay up

The lay up of each carbon rim is carefully designed, and after extensive testing the final standard has been defined.

All Uccello carbon rims are manufactured by a one-piece continuous layer. This uninterrupted layer not only produces a stronger rim, but a lighter one. Although the rim side walls are only 0.6mm thick side wall strength is very high due to the high quality carbon fibre.  The side walls easily withstand the ‘squeeze test’.

The nipple bed is then reinforced with a continuous 12mm wide internal band which increases the thickness here to 1.35mm. In addition each nipple hole has an individual reinforcing patch 16mm wide and 20mm long. Total lay up thickness at the nipple is 2.85mm. This allows the wheels to be built with up to 145Kg spoke tension with no bulging of the rim. The installation of nipple washers is not required.

The tyre bead seat is  formed from multiple carbon fibre plies and is 1.5mm thick at the bead seat. The bead seat has a bead retention ridge for maximum tyre stability and safety.The carbon fibre lay up of the central rim  well is 0.8mm thick.

Bead hooks are formed without any fillers and are free from voids. The bead hook has a minimum side wall thickness of 2.7mm and is strong enough to allow tyre pressures up to 120psi.

3. Angled Hole Drilled By CNC Machine

The spoke hole angle design of the rim is carefully matched to the hub.

On Uccello carbon rims, the spacing and angle of each nipple hole is calculated accurately to ensure that when the rim is laced to the hub, no spoke bending moment; and therefore additional pressure; is generated around the rim hole.

4. Smooth Rim Inside Surface

The air bladders are made from a special material which has the ability to produce very smooth inner walls, resulting in a lighter rim. The bladders  are completely removed without harsh chemicals. They are removed through the valve hole with a unique process by specially trained workers. There is no patched hole on the rim bed, resulting in a stronger rim.

5. High TG Grooved Graphene Rim Brake Track

All Uccello Carbon, non disc brake rims use a high TG resin system that helps to prevent overheating when descending at high speed. It is combined with the Graphene Reinforced 3K brake track, that can withstand temperatures in excess of 250 degrees Celsius. It dissipates heat much more quickly than standard brake tracks.

The grooved brake tracks help to disperse any moisture between the pad and the brakes in wet conditions and provides much better braking in dry conditions

6. Tubeless Compatible Technology

All Uccello Carbon Bike Wheels are tubeless compatible.  Rims intended for road use have hooked beads and may be fitted with either clincher or tubeless tyres. The hooked bead avoids the 73psi tyre pressure limitation of hookless rims. For heavier riders the 73 psi limit may not be sufficient when 28mm or narrower tyres are fitted.

Wheels intended for off road use are fitted with wide hookless rims. These rims must be fitted with tubeless tyres approved for use on hookless rims. A 73psi pressure limitation applies.

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Spoke Tension

The spokes need to be accurately tensioned with a calibrated spoke tension meter.

Most tension meters apply a deflection to the spoke and measure the magnitude of the  deflection on a scale. The tool manufacture provides a table of deflection versus spoke tension for a variety of spoke sizes and brands.

The reading on the tension meter depends on several variables including the spoke thickness, and the stiffness of the spoke material.

Tiny variations between spoke batches effect the readings.

I calibrate my tension meter each time I open a new batch of spokes. I apply a known tension to the spoke and measure the deflection with my tension meter. I measure every 10kg  increment from 50Kg to 150kg and produce an accurate calibration chart.

When we hand build our wheels we know exactly what the  tension of each spoke is and document it on the build report.

Accurate and well balanced spoke tensions result in a strong, long lasting wheel.

Pictured is a Forged Titanium 13 Gauge spoke with 150Kg tension force applied .

A.S.T.M. Usage Category

ASTM International, formerly known as American Society for Testing and Materials, is an international standards organisation that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services.

ASTM F2043-13(2018)

Standard Classification for Bicycle Usage

Significance and Use

4.1 This classification provides a uniform set of usage definitions within the bicycle industry. Included within this classification is a set of graphical indicators to provide retailers and consumers with an indication of the intended use of a particular bicycle or aftermarket components.

Scope

1.1 This classification covers bicycle usage conditions and a method of identifying bicycles and components for use within that system.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information only.

1.3 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognised principles on standardisation established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organisation Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

  • Condition 0 — Adult supervision required, no traffic.
  • Condition 1 — Suitable for road riding (only).
  • Condition 2 — For off-road riding and jumps less than 12 in (30 cm.)
  • Condition 3 — For rough off-road riding and jumps less than 24 in (61 cm.)
  • Condition 4 — For extreme off-road riding.

The A.S.T.M. usage category for each Uccello Carbon wheel set is indicated on the relevant product page.