Bikerumor might earn a small fee from affiliate hyperlinks on this article. Be taught Extra
BERD has launched a hubset designed particularly to be used with their “world’s lightest” spokes, making it simpler than ever to construct a customized BERD Spoke-laced wheelset with the rim of your alternative. Comprised of an Extremely Excessive Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) that has 12x the strength-to-weight ratio of metal, BERD Spokes are mentioned to have an improved fatigue life over their metal counterparts. The fabric can also be mentioned to confer vibration damping advantages to any wheel construct. In step with that, the brand new BERD Talon hubs are comparatively light-weight too, aimed toward XC and Path riders.
Robert Berd provides us an amusing perception into the challenges that may be overcome with the usage of the Talon hubset.
BERD Talon Hubs
Why do BERD Spokes want their very own specifically-designed hubset? The reply is that they don’t, but it surely’s extra difficult than that.
Whereas there may be seemingly a protracted listing of advantages available with BERD Spokes, their widespread use has been restricted not solely by the excessive value, but additionally by a hesitancy to switch one’s hubset so as to have the ability to use them. To lace up a wheelset with BERD Spokes and a J-Bend Hub, one should take a drill to the hub flanges, chamfering the holes to accomodate the UHMWPE spoke. The chamfering is critical to take away any sharp edges across the gap – edges that would compromise the integrity of the spoke. That may undoubtedly void the guarantee on the hub.
The brand new BERD Talon Hubs present hooked flanges to make wheel constructing a extra straight-forward, quicker course of. We’ve seen this design beforehand on Onyx Vesper hubs made particularly for BERD wheelsets. Whereas these hubs use a nigh-on instantaneous engagement sprag clutch mechanism, the brand new BERD Talon hubs see a extra ubiquitous ratchet mechanism.
The BERD Talon hubs launch with a 36t dual-sprung ratchet providing up a ten° engagement angle; a 54t ratchet choice with quicker pick-up is winging its technique to manufacturing very quickly.
BERD inform us the Talon hub is extraordinarily sturdy. The utmost system weight restrict (rider + bike) is 300 lbs (136 kg).
BERD Talon Claimed Weights
- 148mm x 12mm Rear & 110mm x 15mm Entrance (Set) – 466g
- Entrance 110mm x 15mm – 156g
- Rear 148mm x 12mm – XD 306g – Microspline 308g – Shimano 11 Velocity 316g
Pricing & Availability
BERD Talon hubs are actually out there in Increase Spacing solely (15mm x 110mm entrance and 12mm x 148mm rear), completely in black, with XD, Microspline, and 11 velocity freehubs. Retail value is $496 USD for the set with the 36t ratchet which is in inventory now; the 54t choice is ready to ship in 4-6 weeks. BERD provides a two-year guarantee in opposition to manufacturing defects.
Full wheelsets with the BERD Talon hubs are additionally out there now. The HAWK27 and HAWK30 wheels are priced at $2,095 USD; that’s $100 cheaper than the Trade 9 equal.
