Ti-Fi Spoke Technology & Process
Discover the Cutting-Edge Ti-Fi Spoke Technology: 5 Essential Testing Processes for Optimal Performance
| Property | Description |
| Material | High Polymer Fiber |
| Structure | Braided |
| Number of Strands | 12 |
| Maximum Breaking Strength | Greater than 3500N |
| Elongation | 3% - 6% |
| Density | 3.5g - 1.5g/cm³ |
| Temperature Resistance | Below 110°C |
| Low-Temperature Resistance | Excellent |
| Humidity Resistance | Hydrophobic (water-resistant) |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent, except for strong acids/bases |
| Abrasion Resistance | Scratch-resistant, Cut-resistant |
| Impact Resistance | Braided structure absorbs axial impacts and withstands high lateral impacts |
| Flame Retardant | Yes |
| UV Resistance | Flame-retardant, UV-resistant |
Materials Research and Experimentation
Different polymer fiber materials show different characteristics, which attracted our attention. Therefore, at the beginning of the research and development, we started the material research and testing.
A total of five different materials were selected, and seven critical test items were set, including the relationship between tension loss and elongation ratio, the maximum tensile strength of the material, the rate of tensile loss, and elongation rate. Each indicator was assigned different scoring weights, and the final comprehensive score was based on the performance of the materials in each test.
Data Support for Product Development
The test results show that Material 5 demonstrated the most stable overall performance, especially in long-term stability, achieving the highest score (+6). Material 4, while excelling in certain aspects, had significant tension loss, leading to the lowest score (-6). The test also confirmed that controlling the elongation and tension loss during the assembly process is critical to ensuring long-term product stability.
This test provides valuable data support for future new product development, material selection and optimization.
Steel Spoke: Force = 3499.174 N, Deformation = 5.8693 mm, Elongation = 6%
Ti-Fi Spoke: Force = 4471.124 N, Deformation = 8.7267 mm, Elongation = 9%
Carbon Fiber Spoke: Force = 4792.698 N, Deformation = 5.3680 mm, Elongation = 5%
Steel Spoke vs Ti-Fi Spoke vs Carbon Fiber Spoke Strength Comparison
Key Takeaways:
#steelspoke while offering less elongation, still provides solid performance for standard cycling applications.
#TiFi polymer fiber spokes show impressive deformation and elongation, making them ideal for high-performance cycling.
#carbonfiberspoke offers the highest force resistance but with slightly lower deformation and elongation values.
Ti-Fi Spoke Stability Testing
The Ti-Fi spokes, as an integrated system, rely not only on the performance of high polymer fiber materials but also on their interaction with titanium alloy nipples. To fully assess this, we conducted a spoke tension fatigue test. This long-term evaluation focuses on the deformation and tension stability of the spokes under high-tension conditions, providing critical insights into their long-term performance in real-world, complex riding scenarios. During the test, we applied a tension range of 200kgf to 300kgf to simulate high-speed riding and challenging road conditions. While higher tension generally improves spoke tension and transmission efficiency, it places greater demands on the fatigue resistance of the material and the stability of the connection with the titanium nipples. The key challenge here is maintaining high tension and ensuring that the connection between the spokes and nipples remains stable over time. By recording the tension every working hour, we observed that the spokes consistently maintained tension levels above 180kgf throughout the test. Importantly, the connection between the titanium nipples and the fiber spokes remained intact without signs of loosening or wear. Even after more than 30 days of continuous high-stress testing, the spokes were still fit for wheel assembly, demonstrating excellent durability and stability. This test, which replicates real-world riding conditions, proves that Ti-Fi spokes not only offer high transmission efficiency but also maintain outstanding reliability over extended periods of use.
Impact Testing of Ti-Fi Spoke Wheel
As developers of high polymer fiber spoke wheelsets, we believe that the existing UCI impact test standard (40J) is insufficient for high-intensity riding and complex terrain demands. Therefore, we raised the impact test threshold to 60-80 joules to ensure a greater safety margin. In this test, at 105J of impact, the wheelset performed exceptionally well. Only two Ti-Fi spokes detached after exceeding their load limit, while all other components, including the rim and hub, remained intact. This indicates that even under extreme impact, the overall structure of the Ti-Fi wheelset demonstrates impressive durability and stability. While increasing the number of spokes could further distribute the impact load, the current design, which balances fewer spokes with lightweight and optimized structural elements, has already proven sufficient for ROAD and ALL ROAD riding needs. The test results confirm the high performance of Ti-Fi spokes and provide valuable insights for future product improvements. Pursuing higher performance, we must also balance weight and aerodynamics to ensure the best riding experience.
Endurance Testing of Ti-Fi Spoke Wheel
Building on the static tests, we mounted the wheelset on a fatigue testing machine to further evaluate its safety and performance stability under heavy loads and extended use. In this test, the wheelset endured a radial load of 75kg, with the rollers driven at a surface speed of 35km/h (±5%). Obstacle blocks were used to simulate impact forces experienced during multiple rides. After 5522 kilometers and 7,531,263 obstacle impacts, the results showed no visible abnormalities in the appearance of the rims, spokes, hubs, or tires compared to pre-test conditions. There was a slight reduction in spoke tension, but the wheelset exhibited no significant changes in radial bulge. This is equivalent to a rider averaging 35km/h, continuously riding 150 to 180 kilometers per day for 30 days. This fatigue test helped us validate the performance of the Ti-Fi fiber rope spoke wheelset under extreme conditions, ensuring that it meets the demands of mixed-terrain riding and marathon endurance. The results demonstrate that the wheelset can maintain excellent performance and stability, even under high-impact and long-duration riding scenarios.
Vertical Stiffness Testing of Ti-Fi Spoke Wheel
According to industry standards, the fracture strength of carbon fiber wheels typically falls within the range of 500kgf to 600kgf (source: EN standards). During the design and manufacturing process of Ti-Fi wheels, we set a target stiffness of 600kgf, believing that exceeding this threshold is necessary to fully ensure rider safety in diverse environments and provide additional rigidity in the event of unexpected situations. In this test, the actual results exceeded expectations. As the applied machine force increased, the wheel rim only began to fracture at 678kgf, surpassing the industry standard. After the fracture, we remeasured the roundness of the rim and found that both the spokes and the hub remained intact, maintaining high tension. The overall structure of the wheelset continued to demonstrate impressive stability and reliability even after the rim failure, showcasing the durability and strength of the setup. We must note that we achieved this performance without compromising on the lightweight design. The results prove that combining Ti-Fi fiber rope spokes and unpainted carbon fiber rims offers outstanding performance for road cycling. This setup is ideal for riders seeking both lightweight and high strength. It not only provides robust rigidity but also enhances the overall riding experience and safety.
The Lightweight Design Meets The Highest Performance Demands
In the multiple tests conducted on the Ti-Fi spoke wheel, we comprehensively validated its durability, stiffness, and impact resistance under high stress and complex terrain. Through rigorous testing, including tension, impact, fatigue, and extreme strength evaluations, the Ti-Fi wheelset demonstrated exceptional performance, exceeding conventional standards.
These results not only confirm the strength and stability of the high polymer fiber spokes but also show that the lightweight design meets the highest performance demands for both road and mixed-terrain riding.
