Mission [Im]Possible: Building Sub-1kg MTB Wheels with FARSPORTS XC Rims

Oleg from Twisted Wheels YouTube channel has achieved what seemed impossible just a few years ago: building mountain bike wheels that weigh less than 1 kilogram while maintaining strength and functionality. This groundbreaking build showcases the latest in ultralight technology from FARSPORTS, Extralite, and Berd spokes.

The Visionary Behind the Build

Before diving into the technical details, it's worth highlighting that this project comes from Oleg's Twisted Wheels YouTube channel, known for pushing the boundaries of lightweight bike builds. His creative approach and entertaining presentation style make complex technical builds accessible and engaging. This particular project demonstrates his innovative thinking in combining cutting-edge components to achieve seemingly impossible weight targets.

The Foundation: FARSPORTS XC 30 Ultra Light Rims

The build centers around Farsports' latest ultralight XC mountain bike rims:
- 30mm internal width carbon rims
- Incredibly light weight: 292g front and 298g rear
- Asymmetric rim design for optimal spoke tension
- Optimized for modern XC/down-country applications
- Full carbon construction with superior strength-to-weight ratio

What makes these FARSPORTS XC rims particularly special is their achievement of sub-300g weights while maintaining a modern 30mm internal width - a specification that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.

Component Selection

Hubs
- Extra Light Limited Edition hubs in silver finish
- Selected to match planned build components (Garbaruk cranks and Kogel Colossos rear derailleur cage)
- Precision bearings for optimal performance

Spokes
- Berd Polylight fiber spokes
- Unique polymer construction
- Superior vibration dampening compared to steel spokes
- Significantly lighter than traditional spokes
- Requires specialized building process

The Building Process

The wheel building was handled by Pete from Owen Wheels in London, who detailed the unique process of working with Berd spokes:

1. Initial Assembly
- Special threading process for polymer spokes
- Custom tools required for installation
- Steel-to-polymer interface management

2. Tensioning Process
- Multiple stages of tensioning required
- Overnight settling periods between tensioning
- Final tension of 120kg (1200 Newtons) per spoke
- Multiple rounds of stress relieving and truing

3. Special Considerations
- Polymer spoke weave requires settling time
- Multiple rounds of tensioning and truing
- Careful attention to spoke preparation and installation

The Result: Breaking the 1kg Barrier

The final weights achieved are nothing short of remarkable:
- Front wheel: 488g
- Rear wheel: 530g
- Total wheelset weight: 988g

This achievement is particularly impressive considering:
- Full 30mm internal width rims
- Mountain bike-specific construction
- No compromise on durability
- Maintained stiffness and performance

Technical Benefits

The unique combination of components offers several advantages:
- Superior vibration dampening from Berd polymer spokes
- Excellent strength-to-weight ratio from FARSPORTS XC rims
- Balanced spoke tensions thanks to asymmetric rim design
- High overall stiffness despite ultralight weight

Historical Context

To put this achievement in perspective, just 3-4 years ago, building mountain bike wheels under 1kg while maintaining modern rim widths and structural integrity was considered virtually impossible. The collaboration between innovative brands like FARSPORTS, Extralite, and Berd has made the impossible possible.

Conclusion

This groundbreaking build demonstrates how far mountain bike technology has come, particularly in the realm of carbon fiber manufacturing and innovative materials. FARSPORTS' ultralight XC rims, combined with cutting-edge components and expert wheel building, have helped achieve what was once thought impossible: a sub-1kg mountain bike wheelset that's actually rideable.

For those interested in following more innovative builds like this, be sure to follow Oleg's Twisted Wheels YouTube channel, where he consistently pushes the boundaries of what's possible in lightweight bike building while maintaining his signature entertaining and informative style.

*Keywords: Farsports XC 30, ultralight mountain bike wheels, Berd spokes, carbon MTB wheels, sub-1kg wheelset, custom wheel building, Twisted Wheels, lightweight XC wheels*

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