Methods for evaluating the radial structural behaviour of racing bicycle wheels

Aim of the work was the development of a test method for evaluating the radial structural behaviour of racing wheels, believed to be correlated with the riding comfort properties. Four front wheels of different shape, material and spoke disposition were equipped with the same tubular tires and tested under radial loads. The wheel/rim/tire load-displacement curves were measured in static, cyclic and bump tests. The stiffness varied with load: despite great differences in the rim behaviour, the wheel overall behaviour resulted very similar due to the tire masking effect.