A wheel having a longitudinal plane normal to an axis of rotation. The wheel has a rim with side surfaces on opposite sides of the longitudinal plane. A hub is concentrically disposed relative to the rim. Two unitary side elements are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal plane and are coupled to the rim and to end portions of the hub. Each of the unitary side elements has an annular sidewall, a flange portion, and a plurality of spokes that do not cross the longitudinal plane and that integrally interconnect the annular sidewall and the flange portion. An end portion of each spoke of the one side element is tied to the end portion of an aligned spoke of the other side element adjacent to the sidewall to restrict the tied end portions from moving away from each other.

A spoke tension adjustment tool has a longitudinally elongated body with a central longitudinal cavity configured to house an end portion of a spoke. The housing has a longitudinal slit that allows the end portion of the spoke to enter the longitudinal cavity. The longitudinally elongated body has a grip portion and a shaped end portion configured to couple with a stem of a spoke attachment element. The shaped end portion is smaller than the grip portion and smaller than the diameter of a rim spoke attachment hole in which the stem is inserted.

A spoked bicycle wheel having a rim at least partially comprised of a composite material. The rim has at least one spoke attachment chamber with a plurality of spoke attachment holes. The wheel has a plurality of spokes coupled with the rim and a spoke attachment element partially inserted in a respective spoke attachment hole. The wheel includes a holding element that prevents the movement of said spoke attachment element along a radially outer direction. The spoke attachment element has a holding surface configured for abutment against the holding element.

An insert for the rim of a spoked bicycle wheel that has a spoke hole. The insert has a portion configured to abut against a spoke attachment element with an enlarged head and a holding element that prevents movement of the spoke attachment along said longitudinal axis of the spoke hole.

A vehicle wheel, including a rim, a hub, and a plurality of spokes, a first anchor to connect one of the spokes to one of the rim and hub at a connection interface. One of the spokes is pre-tensioned by a pre-tensioning means. The first anchor may be manipulated between: (i) a released orientation where the connection interface is longitudinally released from the spoke to permit independent longitudinal displacement therebetween; and (ii) an engaged orientation where the connection interface is longitudinally connected to said spoke to limit independent longitudinal displacement between the two and to maintain the pre-tension of said spoke. The pre-tensioning means is discreet from the first anchor.

Methods for wirelessly communicating with vehicle adapted to be at least partially powered by a human are disclosed. An example method may include transmitting data from a device remote from the vehicle and configured to communicate with the vehicle, receiving the data at the vehicle, and configuring a parameter of the vehicle based on the data.

A laced wheel manufactured from a one-piece casting, including both the hub portion and the rim portion. After casting and machining spoke interfaces, the hub and rim portions are separated and wire spokes are assembled.

A spoked bicycle wheel having a rim at least partially comprised of a composite material. The rim has at least one spoke attachment chamber with a plurality of spoke attachment holes. The wheel has a plurality of spokes coupled with the rim and a spoke attachment element partially inserted in a respective spoke attachment hole. The wheel includes a holding element that prevents the movement of said spoke attachment element along a radially outer direction. The spoke attachment element has a holding surface configured for abutment against the holding element.

An insert for the rim of a spoked bicycle wheel that has a spoke hole. The insert has a portion configured to abut against a spoke attachment element with an enlarged head and a holding element that prevents movement of the spoke attachment along said longitudinal axis of the spoke hole.