The new one-piece Syncros Capital SL wheelsets are claimed to weigh just 1170g in a 40mm depth and 1290g for the 60mm deep option, putting them up there with the best lightweight wheels. At the same time, Syncros claims there is a 7 per cent reduction in aero drag, when used with the new Schwalbe Pro One Aero tyres in what Syncros calls its ‘System for Speed’, the tyres also have differential front and rear construction.
Stiffer and lighter
Syncros, part of Scott Sports, has used a one-piece carbon construction for the new wheels, where the 16 carbon spokes and the hookless bead rim are fabricated as one piece. A similar sort of design to the Corima MCC 12 spoke carbon wheels which launched recently.
The brand says that its patented process also allows it to achieve consistently high tension in the carbon spokes. Essentially, the incorporation of the central section of the hub body after curing pushes the spokes outwards and, Syncros says, results in a precisely defined spoke tension.
As well as the reduced weight, there’s a decrease in rotational inertia due to the lower mass at the rim, which Syncros says is 20 per cent lower than a traditional, spoked carbon-rimmed wheel. That in turn, along with the high spoke tension, is said to allow the wheels to spin up faster when accelerating.
Syncros says that it has focussed on optimising wheel stiffness, taking advantage of its construction process to improve the handling feel of the new Syncros Capital SL wheels. The carbon spokes are claimed to be 35 per cent stronger than steel spokes, while they run from one side of the rim to the other across the hub flange, and are woven together at the intersection, also increasing torsional stiffness.
The rims are built hookless, which Syncros says leads to a smoother transition from the tyre to the rim, reducing drag. There’s also said to be better impact protection, reduced risk of pinch flats, increased rim strength and decreased weight over a hooked bead. Maximum tyre pressure is stated at 5 bar / 72psi.
Improved aero
Syncros hasn’t just focussed on wheel stiffness though, apparently also taking its new wheelset to the wind tunnel to hone its aerodynamics,…
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