
Bike Ahead Composites Biturbo RS Wheels
12.04.23 08:39 3112023-04-12T08:39:00+02:00Text: Markus Pinter (translated by AI)Photos: Erwin HaidenKick-off for the long-term test of the super-fast full-carbon all-rounders for trail, down country, and XC. In supporting roles: Silca Ultimate Tubeless Sealant and Schwalbe Racing Ray & Racing Ralph.12.04.23 08:39 5602023-04-12T08:39:00+02:00Bike Ahead Composites Biturbo RS Wheels
12.04.23 08:39 5602023-04-12T08:39:00+02:00 Markus Pinter (translated by AI) Erwin HaidenKick-off for the long-term test of the super-fast full-carbon all-rounders for trail, down country, and XC. In supporting roles: Silca Ultimate Tubeless Sealant and Schwalbe Racing Ray & Racing Ralph.12.04.23 08:39 5602023-04-12T08:39:00+02:00At the top of the wishlist for our Cannondale Scalpel Carbon TuneUps, which started last summer, was a new set of wheels. The Stan's NoTubes Crest S1 rims, factory-mounted by Cannondale, were quite conservative by today's standards with a 23 millimeter internal width and, despite the narrow width, not exorbitantly light at around 1,850 grams. Therefore, it was time to look around. For the extravagant appearance of the Cannondale Scalpel Carbon 3 with striking paintwork and the Lefty at the front, the wheels could also be something special.
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On Instagram, I eventually stumbled upon Alex Bregenzer, a German cycling pro and Cannondale ambassador. In many of his photos, aggressive-looking 6-spoke monocoque wheels were visible on his bike, which immediately piqued my interest. It was quickly discovered that this was a product of the German lightweight specialist Bike Ahead Composites. The exact name of these fine parts: Biturbo RS 29". Sounds a bit like a sports car, doesn't it?
The name is no coincidence - aggressive looks, lightweight carbon monocoque design, and with a 28-millimeter internal rim width exactly the sweet spot for mixed cross and downcountry use, in short: A specialty of the highest class, where the anticipation of the first practical use already accelerated the heartbeat.
The expectation for the review? More safety and performance in downhill as well as a more comfortable riding experience through the ability to use less air pressure and wider tires, moreover, of course, a bit less weight coupled with a crisply fast start. High expectations indeed - not least because of the juicy entry price of 3,599 euros.
100% Handmade in Germany
Bike Ahead Composites Biturbo RS 29Bike Ahead Composites Biturbo RS
The Biturbo RS wheels are the sporty MTB flagship products of All ahead composites GmbH, founded in 2010. "Developed and manufactured in Germany - with the best materials and the currently highest quality manufacturing process (e.g., Prepreg Autoclave)", the Bavarians state on their homepage - and the sharply aggressive design, the wide rim mouth width of 28 mm hookless, and a low weight starting at 1,249 grams for the 29er wheelset underline that they take their mission statement seriously.
Biturbo RS
Biturbo RS 27.5" | Biturbo RS 29" | |
Construction | 6-spoke monocoque, Tubeless (optionally with tube) | |
Finish | Matte, unidirectional carbon | |
Rim Height | 25 mm | |
Internal Width | 28 mm | |
Hubs | Special hubs with DT Swiss technology | |
Freehub | Optionally Shimano Micro Spline or SRAM XD | |
Permissible Rider Weight | 95 kg rider & luggage | |
Weight | from 1,209 g | from 1,249 g (1,431 weighed for Lefty/12x148) |
Dimension | 27.5″ Clincher 27 x 584 mm | 29″ Clincher 27 x 622 mm |
Application | Cross Country, Down Country, Trail | |
Axle Standard | Front: 12x100 mm, 15x110 mm, Lefty Ocho Rear: 12x142 mm, 12x148 mm | |
Scope of Delivery | Incl. wheel bag, tubeless valves, no rim tape required | |
Price | € 3,599,- incl. Premium Service* |
* Only when purchased through the BAC homepage: +1 year warranty extension, +2 years crash replacement
All production steps take place in-house, from the idea to the series product.
BIKE AHEAD COMPOSITES - Made in GermanyTires & Tubeless Sealant
To enhance the riding comfort despite the presumably stiffer full carbon wheels, we opted for a wide tire combination of Schwalbe's Racing Ray and Racing Ralph TLE in 2.25 inches as well as in the most supple and rolling resistance-optimized "Super Race" version. At the front, the front wheel specialist Racing Ray with its aggressive XC profile, precise steering behavior, and high braking power should transform the Cannondale into an XC weapon, and at the rear, a Racing Ralph with its many grip edges in the central area should provide super traction and excellent acceleration.
So that we can stay on the safe side despite the associated reduced puncture protection, the choice for the sealant fell for the first time on the new Silca Ultimate Tubeless Sealant with its mix of 6, 9, and 12 mm long recycled carbon fibers. What weighs little remains more mobile, thus can quickly be on the spot in case of a puncture and can furthermore be added in larger quantities. Moreover, the particles can literally stack up in holes and thus form a sealing barrier particularly quickly.
The benefits of the so-called FiberFoam technology in numbers: Punctures up to a size of 7.5 mm (conventional methods give up according to Silca at 25% smaller diameter) are supposed to be sealed by the Ultimate Sealant, it should withstand a pressure of 80-90 psi, and it is supposed to work down to the coldest environments of -12°C.
Furthermore, the accessory label promotes its latest development as extremely durable. Depending on temperature and dryness, it is supposed to reliably serve for up to a year, even 18 months, but only when using the so-called Replenisher, which Silca recommends every three to four months as a refreshment cure for the initial sealant. The supplement does not contain carbon fibers, which is why it does not clog the syringe and valve. Instead, it contains (even) more antifreeze than the already relatively highly dosed Ultimate Sealant. Consequently, the refill pack increases the lifetime of the sealant, as it generally increases with the contained proportion of solvents, which prevent drying out, clumping, etc.
Assembly
The advantages of a tubeless system summarized:
- No snakebite flats from impacts without a tube
- Small holes do not cause a flat tire but are immediately sealed
- Tubeless tires can be ridden with less pressure
- More comfort due to better tire adaptation to the terrain
- More grip and reduced rolling resistance
Required materials and tools:
- Bike Ahead Composites Tubeless Valves "The Valve" in optimal length
- Schwalbe Easy Fit mounting fluid
- Valve core tool
- Floor pump
What can the specialty parts from Würzburg do? We review - stay tuned.