What is Graphene?
Graphene is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It is the building-block of Graphite (which is used, among others things, in pencil tips), but graphene is a remarkable substance on its own - with a multitude of astonishing properties which repeatedly earn it the title "wonder material".
Graphene has a unique set of properties which set it apart from other materials. In proportion to its thickness, it is about 100 times stronger than the strongest steel and 20% more elastic. It conducts heat and electricity very efficiently and is nearly transparent.
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Why do we apply Graphene materials to carbon fiber rims?
As one of the very first companies to use graphene in our rims, we're thrilled to bring this future-forward technology to the market. Graphene has long been touted in the bike industry as the supermaterial of the future. Adding less than 1% graphene nanoparticles by mass to our resin more than doubled its bond strength, preventing delamination between layers of carbon fiber and increasing the impact strength of our rims by 20% at the same weight.
Our first widely available graphene enhanced product was the Galaxy carbon road bike wheel range, released at the end of 2016, that by integrating graphene into the carbon resin it has created a carbon-composite material that is faster, stronger and more durable than existing carbon fibre.
The addition of this graphene material results in a faster, stronger, more resilient carbon-composite material. Xyz Galaxy Series carbon road wheels have graphene-enhanced full-carbon rims that far outperform today's best. This is the future of race wheels. Graphene-enhanced composites have 10~30% improved material properties. Tests carried out by our engineers, confirmed by external laboratories, found that introducing graphene into the rim's carbon-fiber matrix has a great positive impact:
Graphene reduces temperature build-up
Graphene significantly improves lateral stiffness
Graphene increases spoke-hole strength measurably
Graphene has strong potential for a future product weight reduction
With Xyz Technology of carbon rims manufacturing improved till the extend that overheating and delamination is not an issue anymore. Using proper rim tape, brake pads and proper braking technique those are safe even in high mountains. However, in rainy days the braking power is still a concern and therefore as of 2017 some of the manufacturers introduced rims with graphene brake track. Specific brake surface pattern combined with graphene allows to improve braking in wet and keep the temperature under control during hot days and extensive braking.
It's not a first time when I'm using different rim profile on front vs rear. For those who are looking for every day wheels for sun, rain and wind such combination should be worth to consider.
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Our Xyz carbon bicycle wheels use graphene on the braking surface to enhance braking and dissipate heat. At this stage it has primarily focused on reliability and durability, however the next logical step is for the carbon wheels to become lighter by using more graphene in place of other materials.
Let us work together to stay innovative and look forward to creating better carbon fiber wheels.
