Active Spokes : Dynamically Weighted Wheels (DWW)

Russel Kalil of Tarryan Technologies, an engineer who also happens to be an Ironman, dreamed up an idea that could make the best folks in the bicycle wheel business look dum.

How about a wheel that could increase and decrease its moment of inertia according to your riding speed? As a cyclist rides up hill, weight transfers closer to the hub and while he descends with the added speed, the weights move out to the rim for the extra momentum.


The concept is simple. You don't need a new wheel nor have to rewire your brain like pedaling on Power Cranks. Active Spokes uses small sets of weights (each weighing 0.5 oz) in 3 sections that fit onto the spokes of the non-drive side of your existing rear wheel. The choice of these sections depend on the average speed of the rider. The applications for which this is more suited for are rolling type hill road races and triathlons.


With speed, the centrifugal force in the wheel moves the spring loaded weights far out towards the rim. The motion of the pieces can be manipulated with a choice of springs that have different constants. More on this technology and sample calibrations can be found on the Active Spokes website.

Russ employed the help of Dr. Voelkel of RIT and a test rider to do a study in a hilly part of Skaneateles NY. The claims are that wheels fitted with active spokes outperform a similar wheel without the technology. Interestingly, famous cycling coach Joe Friel and his son Dirk have both endorsed the invention so that makes me some 10% more interested.

Left to right : John Cobb (BlackWell Research), Russ Kalil and Coach Joe Friel at the Serotta International Cycling Institute Conference (Jan '08)

But the questions are :


1. Won't the addition of more weight effectively counteract any difference in inertias achieved?
2. Does this work reliably under various conditions?
3. Will it make rattling noises when the wheel is in motion?
4. Will the pieces dent the rim?
5. Are the pieces and springs stainless steel? They are exposed to the elements.
6. What happens if the spokes break while riding up a hill (extreme) and you lose all your active spoke pieces down the road?
7. How about if I prefer my favorite wheel magnet on the non-drive side?
8. Wont they stir up some aero drag?
9. Will the UCI approve of it?
10. I have more area to clean now :(

Moment of inertia trouble a few cyclists daily but they only play a role mainly in acceleration. Some will argue that accelerations are not much in a bike race, but surging or attacking on straight roads are not the only scenario. Even while cornering your bike, you are technically accelerating since velocity changes with time.

Myriad questions aside, spending less than 200 dollars on Active Spokes while sacrificing some cleanliness as opposed to completely 'un-weighing' your wallet on a pair of Lews or Lightwheels may be an attracting factor for some.