First Look: Bouwmeester Composites Carbon Wheels 16

Carbon wheels have gone from fringe product to mainstream acceptance in just a few short years, but that does not mean that there is not room for improvements and further innovation - far from it. Bouwmeester Composites is a young Australian firm that specializes in "low energy consumption advanced composite products", and they have spent the last 2 years researching and developing a carbon wheel for enduro racing and trail riding. The 27.5”  Tammar V4.8 rim is the result of their efforts, read on to find out what sets it apart from other offerings currently in the market.

To optimise the perfect enduro/trail MTB rim, BC felt they needed to address the following design considerations:

• Tyre Performance: Wide platform rim and hookless bead design to correctly support the tyre profile for optimum handling and performance.
• Riding Characteristics: The optimum balance of torsional stiffness and global wheel stiffness needs to be achieved to offer the perfect performance. The BC Tammar rim design profile can absorb impact energy which is said to improve tracking and tyre traction. Better traction of course translates to faster riding.
• Durability: A balance between weight and durability needs to be achieved. BC feels they understand the customer’s need for a durable product that stands the test of time out on the trails, and they claim that their impact testing program has shown that carbon can be superior in impact situations with the right design.
• Green and sustainable manufacturing: All these design elements had to be tied into a low energy consumption production process. We only have one planet and BC feels they need to be responsible and care for its future.

This elaborate and detailed design and R&D process has delivered what BC claims is the first carbon rim that is optimized and specific to MTB.

Tammar V4.8 Features & Rider Benefits

• Solid profile rim for increased impact and spoke hole strength
• Front and rear specific carbon layup for improved handling
• Shallow rim and race tuned carbon lay-up for improved tracking and traction
• Asymmetric rim for even spoke tension
• Wider platform rim to correctly support tyre sidewall for performance
• Superior cornering grip and improved rolling resistance
• Hookless bead increasing inner rim width and tyre wall support

Tammar Rim - Key Differentiators

The rim is a solid profile, similar to motocross rims, which BC says means that from a carbon engineering perspective the fibers are supported correctly through a properly optimized laminate. This gives the rim its superior toughness out on the trails. This is a clear departure from the currently prevalent traditional MTB rim design, which BC states is a carryover from aluminium rims and manufacturing processes adapted from carbon road rims. We would of course have to ride these wheels before pronouncing any kind of opinion as to whether or not BC have succeeded, but we can at least affirm that our initial experiences with ultra-wide rims (from other brands) have been very positive.

Bouwmeester Composites Enduro Carbon Wheel Specs

• Profile: Tammar 27.5” V4.8. Asymmetric.
• Carbon: Solid carbon fiber rim. Optimized modulus fibers.
• Nipple holes: Head recess molded to suit spoke angle. Drilled spoke holes for max strength with no spoke tension limit.
• Spoke count: 32-hole
• External Width: 38-mm
• Inner Width: 31.5-mm
• Depth: 12.5-mm (15.5-mm to tip of nipple mounds)
• Hubset: DT Swiss 240 (other hub options available on demand)
• Rim weight: 485-grams
• Wheelset weight: 1,780-grams
• MSRP: $2,999 AUD

BC sells complete wheels only, in an effort to maintain close control over the build quality. The wheels will be available as of January 2015. Initially sold directly from the manufacturer with worldwide shipping options, BC are also looking to put in place a network of distributors in various key markets. Look for more information on the company's new website, due to go live as of January, or get in touch directly at:info@bouwmeester.com.au.

About BC

Based in the foothills of Adelaide, Australia, Bouwmeester Composites (BC) is a design and manufacturing firm specialising in low energy consumption advanced composite products.

The BC team is highly experienced in all aspects of advanced composites and every piece of BC carbon is laid by hand in Adelaide, Australia. This attention to detail is why Australian manufacturing is so critical to the performance of our end products. We believe in having 100% control over the technology and quality of the manufacturing process for the finished product.