Atomik Carbon introduces Berd Ultimate wheelsets

High-end carbon-fiber wheel manufacturer Atomik Carbon today announces its partnership with Berd Spokes to introduce its all-new Atomik Carbon Ultimate Berd Wheelsets. Atomik Carbon Ultimate gravel and mountain wheelsets are ultra lightweight, starting at just 1,200 grams per pair. And by combining the uniquely compliant ride offered by Berd Spokes with the damp and precise characteristics of Atomik Carbon rims, the Ultimate Wheelsets offer the ultimate ride quality. Berd spokes, typically available only in white, are available on Atomik Carbon Ultimate Wheelsets in a limited edition Stealth Black. Custom colors exclusive to Atomik Carbon will also be available including red, blue, orange and olive green.

Known as “the world’s lightest spokes,” Berd patented spokes are made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, or UHMWPE—the same material found in bulletproof body armor. Not only does this advanced polymer have superior damping properties to minimize impact and vibration, it has 12 times the strength-to-weight ratio of the steel used in traditional spokes and a superior fatigue life.

“We were blown away with the ride quality, especially on a hardtails and fully rigid gravel bikes,” says Atomik Carbon co-owner founder  Wayne Lee of the initial test rides on Berd spokes. “We didn’t think there was a way to drastically improve the already impressive damping of our carbon rims, especially models featuring our HDP Foamcore. And steel spokes have always been such a given, that we didn’t consider the potential for other spoke materials and how they could improve weight, performance and ride quality—until now.”

Despite the compliant ride, Atomik Carbon Ultimate Wheelsets are every bit as stiff and precise as wheels built with traditional steel spokes. And starting at only $1,699 per complete wheelset*, they offer premium performance at an exceptional value; Berd spokes alone normally retail for $600 per wheelset.

Like all Atomik Carbon wheelsets, the Ultimate Wheelsets are handbuilt. But unlike builds using traditional spokes, Berd builds are labor intensive, with most hubs requiring a chamfering and polishing process, and three tensioning sessions, including a “rest” period of 24 hours during which the Berd’s UHMWPE material naturally relaxes by up to 50 percent  before being re-tensioned. They then relax by up to 25 percent before reaching their maximum length during a third and final tensioning.

“In every test, Berd spokes had a higher breaking limit than every spoke we tested,” says Lee. “The strength to weight ratio is truly impressive.”

Complete Wheelset Weights*:

Mountain

• 29” XC33 w/I9 Boost Hydra Hubs, 28 Holes: 1,410 grams
• 29” AM35 w/I9 Boost Hydra Hubs, 32 Holes: 1,610 grams
• 27.5” AM35 w/I9 Boost Hydra, 32 Holes: 1,530 grams

Gravel

• 700C XC26 w/I9 Road Torch Center Lock Hubs, 28 Holes: 1,220 grams
• 700C  XC33 w/I9 Road Torch Center Lock Hubs, 28 Hole: 1,290 grams
• 650B XC33 w/I9 Torch Center Lock Hubs, 28 holes: 1,260

Atomik Carbon Ultimate Wheelsets are available now as complete builds or rim-only options through local bike shops and via Atomik Carbon’s consumer direct program at AtomikCarbon.com and at BerdSpokes.com.

*Custom hub/rim configurations available. Visit AtomikCarbon.com or your local bike shop for pricing and options.