HOPKINS, Minn. (BRAIN) — Three Minnesota-based bike brands are collaborating on a set of fat bike wheels using components entirely designed and produced in the state. The new wheels also make use of a new hub designed specifically for Berd's PolyLight spokes.
The wheels use HED's Big Deal (26") and Big Half Deal (27.5") rims, Berd PolyLight spokes and special edition "Black Aura" hubs from Onyx Racing Products. The hubs feature a "speckled, color-shifting finish" and the rims have special edition "Northern Lights" decals from HED. The wheels are packaged and wrapped in a Minnesotan-style flannel print box.
The 27.5" and 26" wheelsets weigh 1,740 grams and 1,800 grams, respectively. Wheels are available in standard fat bike builds, with Shimano and XD hub body options available, and are available at berdspokes.com and HEDcycling.com. Retail price is $3,200.
The wheels' Vesper Onyx Fat Bike hubs are specially engineered to interface with Berd spokes. The hubs' T-hook design creates a stiff and strong interface for the spokes. They are also easier to lace. Onyx and Berd may release other hub configurations with the T-hook design in the future.
Berd spokes are said to weigh less than half the weight of and provide 200% more vibration damping than steel spokes. The wheels are available until Jan. 15th. More information at berdspokes.com and HEDcycling.com.
