Berd Spokes: Revolutionizing Bicycle Wheel Performance

For most cyclists, the spokes connecting a wheel to its hub are an afterthought. However, a Minnesota-based company, Berd, is challenging that notion with its innovative spoke technology. Founded in 2015, Berd has rapidly gained recognition, even seeing its spokes contribute to medal-winning performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This article explores the technology behind Berd spokes, their benefits, drawbacks and how they’re changing the landscape of bicycle wheel building.

What are Berd Spokes?

Traditional bicycle spokes are typically made of steel, with variations in butting and shaping to optimize weight, strength, and aerodynamics. Berd spokes, however, are constructed from Dyneema, also known as Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). Berd highlights that Dyneema is a material commonly used in high-performance applications like sails, climbing ropes, and protective gear due to its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and resilience.

The design mimics a “Chinese finger trap,” where pulling on the spoke tightens its grip on a threaded stainless steel end that connects to a standard 2mm threaded nipple. This patented design contributes significantly to the spoke’s strength. Berd claims its spokes are 10% stronger in a straight pull test than top-tier bladed steel spokes, capable of withstanding approximately 350 kg of force. Each spoke undergoes load testing during production to ensure quality.

Currently, Berd offers the original PolyLight spoke and the newer PolyLightX, which features a larger diameter for increased stiffness and abrasion resistance, particularly suited for e-bikes and gravity mountain biking. The spokes are available in a variety of colors, achieved through alcohol-based dyes.

Compatibility and Wheel Building Considerations

While Berd spokes offer performance advantages, compatibility and the building process present unique challenges. Berd spokes are compatible with J-bend, straight-pull, and their own hook flange hubs. Using Berd spokes with traditional J-bend hubs requires reaming out the spoke holes to 3mm, potentially voiding the hub’s warranty and introducing a risk of corrosion, though this has not been a widespread issue. Berd now provides protective inserts to mitigate corrosion concerns.

The hook flange design, offered by hubs from brands like Onyx Racing Products and Hope, simplifies the build process. Berd is transitioning to an Equal Spoke Length (ESL) standard for hook flange hubs, aiming for consistent spoke lengths within a given wheel size.

Building with Berd spokes requires a different approach than traditional steel spokes. The Dyneema material stretches under tension, necessitating a stress-relief process. Experienced wheel builders recommend multiple building stages, allowing the spokes to creep in length before final tensioning. The Radavist reports that early builds could take up to 20 hours, but advancements in tooling and automated stress-relief processes have significantly reduced build times. Berd now offers its own digital guided wheel truing and tensioning tool, Trudi, to aid in the process.

Performance and Cost

Berd spokes offer a noticeable weight reduction compared to steel spokes. A Wheelworks test showed a 79g weight saving when comparing a gravel wheelset with Berd spokes to one with DT Swiss Aerolite steel spokes. Beyond weight, riders report a smoother ride quality, particularly over rough terrain.

However, this performance comes at a cost. Berd spokes are significantly more expensive than steel spokes, approximately US$9 per spoke (as of February 2026). A complete wheel build with Berd spokes will therefore be more expensive, both due to the cost of the spokes themselves and the increased labor involved in the building process. Berd offers complete wheelsets starting from US$2,095 and a rebuild program where customers can send in existing wheels for spoke replacement.

Durability and Maintenance

Once properly built and stress-relieved, Berd spokes require minimal maintenance. However, some creep in spoke length is expected over time, and annual tension checks are recommended. The Dyneema material can also exhibit cosmetic fraying, but this does not typically affect performance. While Dyneema is chemically resistant, abrasion can be a concern, particularly in harsh conditions.

Berd’s Rise to Olympic Recognition

Berd’s technology has gained significant validation through its success at the highest levels of competition. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, athletes riding on wheels with Berd spokes won gold medals in mountain biking, as reported by Bicycle Retailer. This achievement underscores the potential of Berd’s innovative approach to bicycle spoke design.

Founded in 2015 by University of Minnesota alumni, Berd’s journey began in a college apartment and has evolved into a successful manufacturing operation in Hopkins, Minnesota.

Key Takeaways

• Berd spokes utilize Dyneema fiber to create lightweight and strong spokes.
• Compatibility with existing hubs requires minor modifications, particularly for J-bend hubs.
• Wheel building with Berd spokes requires specialized knowledge and tools.
• Berd spokes offer performance benefits, including reduced weight and improved ride quality, but come at a higher cost.
• The technology has been validated by success at the Olympic level.