Ever wondered what makes some carbon wheels feel incredible while others fall short? I recently sat down with Jam, FARSPORTS' head engineer, to demystify the world of carbon fiber manufacturing. Prior to the interview, I expected a technical discussion about carbon fiber manufacturing. Instead, I got something much more interesting – including why making carbon wheels is surprisingly similar to baking the perfect sourdough bread!
The Sourdough Secret of Carbon Fiber
"You know what carbon fiber reminds me of?" Jam says with a grin, holding up one of their latest wheel designs. "Sourdough bread. No, really! Just like how a tiny change in temperature, timing, or ingredients can completely change your sourdough, carbon fiber is incredibly sensitive to small changes in how we make it."
He explains further: "Carbon fiber is what we call 'infinitely tunable.' We can make it super stiff in one direction but comfortable in another. Want it light? You got it. Need it strong? Can do. It's like having a magic recipe where you can adjust everything – but that also means there are about a hundred ways things could go wrong!"
Why Your Carbon Wheels Are Only as Good as Their Baker (Er, Manufacturer)
"Making consistently great carbon fiber products is HARD," Jam emphasizes, leading me through the factory. "Just like your friend who makes amazing sourdough has been perfecting their recipe for years, we've spent years mastering this process at FARSPORTS."
He points to their testing facility: "See those computer screens? That's where we start our designs. But here's the thing – and this is something many brands don't talk about – what looks perfect on a computer screen might taste terrible in real life. Sorry, I mean perform terribly!" he laughs, caught up in the bread analogy.
The "Test and Learn" Kitchen
Jam's eyes light up as he describes FARSPORTS' unique approach: "Having our own factory is like having your own professional kitchen. When we want to try a new 'recipe,' we can test it immediately. If something's not perfect, we adjust it right away. Our engineers work directly with our production team – imagine having your best bakers right next to your recipe developers!"
Why "Recipe Book Smart" Isn't Enough
"Look," Jam says, picking up a prototype wheel, "you can read every cookbook in the world, but you won't make great bread until you get your hands dirty. Carbon fiber is the same way. We use computers for initial designs, sure, but the real magic happens when we actually make and test the wheels."
He lists what they monitor:
- Temperature and humidity (just like bread!)
- Precise layup timing
- Curing conditions
- Material consistency
- Even the way each carbon fiber layer is placed
The FARSPORTS Secret Recipe
When I ask about their development process, Jam breaks it down:
1. "First, we design with advanced computer modeling – like writing a recipe"
2. "Then we make prototypes in our factory – the first test batch"
3. "We test extensively – lots of taste testing, if you will"
4. "Get feedback from pro riders – our expert food critics"
5. "Fine-tune based on real-world results – adjusting the recipe"
6. "Repeat until it's perfect – just like a master baker would"
Quality Control That Would Make a Michelin Chef Proud
"Quality control isn't just checking the final product," Jam explains. "It's about monitoring every step of the process. Each wheel goes through multiple checkpoints – like checking your bread's temperature, proofing, and baking time. Nothing leaves our factory without passing our strict standards."
Why This Matters for Your Rides
All this attention to detail has one purpose, as Jam puts it: "Making wheels that'll make you grin from ear to ear on every ride. When you get a FARSPORTS wheel, you're getting something that's been tested and perfected, like a recipe that's been handed down through generations – except we're using advanced engineering instead of grandma's notes!"
The Factory Advantage
"Having our own factory isn't just about saving money," Jam explains. "It's about control and innovation. We can experiment faster, maintain strict quality control, and adjust quickly when needed. It's like having your own professional kitchen versus trying to perfect a recipe in someone else's space."
Try It Yourself
As our chat wraps up, Jam hands me a finished wheel. "This is what happens when you combine advanced engineering with hands-on manufacturing experience," he says proudly. "Like a perfect loaf of sourdough, each wheel represents years of experience, countless iterations, and a relentless focus on quality. And just like good bread, once people try our wheels, they can't help but recommend them to their friends!"
If you want to give the wheels a try, you can take a look at our brand new 2025 lineup.
Further reading:
If you are interested in taking an exclusive tour around FARSPORTS factory, you can check out this blog post and video walkthrough with Joe from China Cycling.
