Wheels are among the most important components on a bike when every second counts. Our six-spoke wheels have won medals at UCI World Championships and victories in international MTB stage races. Now we have developed an aero wheelset specifically for triathlon and time trials. It combines aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and riding performance in a unique way.
Weighing just 950 grams, the BITURBO Disc is one of the lightest disc wheels in the world. The front wheel is also super light at 620 grams. Both wheels are manufactured using a six-spoke monocoque design. It guarantees maximum stability together with the best weight possible . The BITURBO Disc panels have no structural function and can be replaced in case of a damage. Extensive wind tunnel testing was part of the development of the BITURBO 2.0 and the BITURBO Disc. In addition to aerodynamics, the focus was also on many other factors that are crucial for achieving best times.
BITURBO Disc
Many factors come into play when you are racing against the clock. Wind resistance. Acceleration. Riding comfort. Cornering stability. It is the interplay of all these factors that makes a wheel perfect. The BITURBO Disc differs from other disc wheels thanks to its patented design. The side panels have no structural function. This means they can be extremely lightweight, while the six-spoke construction underneath is designed for maximum performance. It combines the minimal weight and the stiffness of a BITURBO wheel but also a better comfort compared to regular disc wheels. The panels are flat and symmetrical. This ensures excellent aerodynamic values, as confirmed by wind tunnel tests. The slightly concave design also guarantees that all modern derailleurs fit.
The valve hole opening is extra large to allow for the best possible handling when inflating the tire. The cover is made of carbon. The BITURBO Disc is manufactured in our Würzburg factory to the highest quality standards. The outer width of the hooked rim is 30 mm, the inner width 23 mm. The disc wheel is optimized for tires with a width of 28 and 30 mm. The BITURBO Disc comes with original hub technology from DT Swiss, including Centerlock mount.
BITURBO AERO 2.0
With the BITURBO AERO 2.0, we present the perfect front wheel for disc brakes. It is the further development of the proven BITURBO AERO. The improved carbon layup enables us to achieve a weight of only 620 grams. In addition, the 48.5-mm-high rim has a special shape. This results in even more efficient use of the so-called sail effect in crosswinds. The propulsion with lateral airflow is therefore significantly higher. This increases speed with the same amount of effort. The effect was confirmed in comparative tests in the wind tunnel. The difference to the BITURBO AERO 1.0 is 7 watts at 45 km/h and a 10-degree wind angle. Like the BITURBO Disc, the BITURBO AERO 2.0 is optimized for tires with a width of 28 to 30 mm. The hooked rim measures 32.5 mm at its widest point on the outside. The inner width is 23 mm.
BITURBO Disc and BITURBO AERO 2.0 are unpainted. The high quality of workmanship means that paint is not required. This saves additional weight.
Maximum efficiency
Extensive testing was an essential part of the development process. This included wind tunnel testing. Bike Ahead worked with renowned experts from Bike Engineering to evaluate the results. In a race simulation based on the data, they determined the difference between the BITURBO Disc and BITURBO AERO 2.0 compared to the proven Aero wheelset. The calculations were carried out for the legendary triathlon courses in Roth and Nice.
To do this, the experts defined an athlete weighing 70 kg, set realistic values for bike weight, aerodynamics, and rolling resistance, and took into account the results from the wheel measurements. The simulation was carried out for two different types of athletes. The virtual amateur athlete rode at 180 watts, while the virtual professional athlete rode at 280 watts.
Photo: Tim Kredel
The result: on the relatively flat course in Roth, the BITURBO Disc and the BITURBO AERO 2.0 fully exploit their aerodynamic advantage. The amateur athlete saves a total of 1:46 minutes. The professional is 1:33 minutes faster.
On the very hilly World Championship course in Nice, the weight advantage is particularly noticeable. The amateur athlete saves 1:33 minutes, while the professional is 1:26 minutes faster.
During the test series, the values of competing products were also determined for comparison. The results were good. However, Bike Ahead has decided not to publish wattage figures, as there is no uniform test standard and large overall comparisons with figures from other manufacturers would be unserious.
