A non-pneumatic wheel possessing spokes having a compliant shear block providing spoke tension.

A non-pneumatic wheel having a plurality of spokes attached within slots in a hub, the slots having a first retaining surface and a second retaining surface, the radially outer portion of the first retaining surface possesses a flared edge such that the radially outer portion of the first retaining surface curves away from the radially outer portion of the second retaining surface.

A bicycle rim for carrying a tire. The rim includes a circumferential tire bed including first and second opposing edge regions a circumferential spoke face, and first and second side walls extending from the spoke face to the first and second edge regions, respectively. The first and second side walls include first and second side wall extensions radially extending from the first and second opposing side regions and terminating at first and second outer radial edges, respectively. Each of the first and second outer radial edges defining a maximum width that is at least 3.8 mm.

A spoke for use in connection with a wheel, the spoke having a braided fiber having a first end and a second end, a rod having a first end and a second end, whereby the first end of the rod is threaded and wherein the second end of the rod is disposed inside the first end of the braided fiber.

A preform for fabricating a wheel rim and a method of making a preform is provided. The preform includes a main section and at least one secondary section, each section being formed from composite materials, such as triaxially braided composite material that includes fibers oriented in at least three directions. The main section forms at least part of a lateral section of the preform and the secondary section forms at least part of a radial portion of the preform, the radial portion of the preform being generally perpendicular to the lateral section of the preform. The preform is fabricated from a plurality of composite layers, at least some being custom composite layers having a plurality of axial fibers interwoven intermittently with substantially consistent first and second sets of biased fibers. In some embodiments, the preform is initially fabricated in an intermediate configuration prior to being moved to a final configuration.

A method of making a work piece without the use of an auxiliary anode and a work piece created using the method are provided. The work piece includes a main face being generally planar. The work piece also includes a first area comprising a plateable resin configured to be plated using the plating process without the auxiliary anode and having a first current density during the plating process. Additionally, the work piece includes a second area comprising a non-plateable resin configured to not be plated using the plating process without the auxiliary anode. The first area and the second area are determined by a process referencing a predetermined minimum current density value with the first current density being greater than the predetermined minimum current density value.

A bicycle rim includes a radially outer peripheral part, a radially inner peripheral part, at least one first slanting member, and at least one intermediate member. The at least one first slanting member radially extends between the radially outer peripheral part and the radially inner peripheral part in a first direction slanted with respect to a radial direction of the bicycle rim as viewed in an axial direction of the bicycle rim. The at least one intermediate member is disposed between the radially outer peripheral part and the radially inner peripheral part.

A hybrid wheel including a functional rim, a center disc, and a wheel face insert, wherein the wheel rim and the center disc are made of a specified material, and wherein the wheel face insert is made of a dissimilar material. The wheel face insert can be secured to the center disc by at least one of screws, pins, rivets, or structural adhesive, and/or the wheel face insert can be secured to the functional rim by at least one of screws, pins, rivets, or structural adhesive.

A preform for fabricating a wheel rim and a method of making a preform is provided. The preform includes a main section and at least one secondary section, each section being formed from composite materials, such as triaxially braided composite material that includes fibers oriented in at least three directions. The main section forms at least part of a lateral section of the preform and the secondary section forms at least part of a radial portion of the preform, the radial portion of the preform being generally perpendicular to the lateral section of the preform. The preform is fabricated from a plurality of composite layers, at least some being custom composite layers having a plurality of axial fibers interwoven intermittently with substantially consistent first and second sets of biased fibers. In some embodiments, the preform is initially fabricated in an intermediate configuration prior to being moved to a final configuration.

A carbon fiber wheel rim is disclosed. The carbon fiber wheel rim is corresponding disposed between two braking elements, and includes a rim body and a reinforcing layer. The rim body is made of a carbon fiber composites material. The reinforcing layer is disposed on a surface of the rim body, wherein the reinforcing layer is made of a fibrous veil having an isotropy.