There’s no better boost to your financing, and likely your confidence, than receiving grant money from the government to develop your product idea. Australian startup wheel company 36T was one of four companies who were awarded $25,000 Smart Design Vouchers from the Australian Department of State Development, Business and Innovation, making it possible to begin developing their first carbon-rich road racing wheelset.
36T’s high-end wheelset will be developed in collaboration with the Deakin University School of Engineering, at their $34 million carbon fiber research facility called Carbon Nexus. It’s an ideal fit for producing these wheels, as they employ carbon for the rims, spokes, hub shells and spacers to achieve an estimated weight of less than 1000g for the pair…
The wheels use 16 spokes for both the front and rear, which are laced in a two cross pattern. The rear wheel is laced asymmetrically to optimize aerodynamic performance and maintain lateral stiffness. On the drive side, larger section spokes are used to optimize drive loads and compensate for reduced lateral stiffness due to the shallower spoke angle.
36T’s spokes are made using a patent pending process that aligns the carbon’s fibers to achieve desired properties. Their advanced construction makes for tough but flexible spokes, and preserves fiber continuity to help alleviate load forces where the spokes meet the hub.
The company’s hubs have no unnecessary decorative shells or parts, just quality manufacturing on display with raw carbon shining through. The hubs use three ceramic bearings which are strategically positioned to reduce bearing and axle load and increase the wheel’s stiffness. The bearings are oil lubricated, which 36T says increases durability, serviceability, and tolerance to water and grime ingress. That is, whatever gets past the full contact, low friction lip seals.
The hub’s titanium freehub body affords 48 points of engagement through two phased sets of three pawls, which 36T says provides reliability and near-instant pickup. Currently Shimano and Sram compatible units are being developed, with Campagnolo on the to-do list for later this year.
The rims are 35mm deep and 25mm wide, and are designed to provide high lateral and torsional stiffness. Their semi-toroidal shape presents competitive aerodynamics and low drag coefficients through a wide range of yaw angles. Computerized laminate optimization ensures the least amount of material required is used, eliminating any unneeded grams of excess carbon. The spokes are widely offset in the rims to maximize their bracing angle and lateral stiffness, for unwavering performance during standing sprints or climbs.
As Australia’s only carbon wheel manufacturer 36T decided to keep all the design, manufacturing and testing within the country, allowing them to maintain control over the process from start to finish. They intend to have their wheelsets available sometime this year. 36T’s website is just launching, so for now you’ll find the most info on their Facebook page.
