Innovation Isn’t Waiting – And Neither Should You!
In the fast-paced world of performance cycling, progress is often slowed not by science, but by supply chains. Recently, one of the industry’s most recognisable wheel brands admitted they’re holding off on carbon spokes, claiming more testing is needed before they make the leap.
Fair enough. But while some brands are still debating the future, others are already building it.
At Unbound Velo, we’re part of a new wave of builders / craftspeople, engineers, and riders—who believe in pushing the envelope with real-world results. We’re not claiming to be the only ones doing it. But we are among the few willing to test our tech the hard way.The Real Way by riding them until they break.
Carbon Spokes: The Delay Isn’t Technical. It’s Commercial.
The big brand narrative is that carbon spokes “need more testing.” But if you dig deeper, the story starts to look a little more logistical than technological.
Here’s the likely reality:
They’re sitting on millions of dollars of steel spoke stock, with manufacturing pipelines still geared toward old systems. Switching now would mean:
• Writing off inventory,
• Retooling production processes,
• And sourcing enough high-performance carbon spokes for their global demand.
It’s not that carbon spokes aren’t ready - it’s that their commercial reality isn’t.
Real Testing. Real Roads. Real Riders.
While some wait for market conditions to catch up, we’ve spent the past two years doing real-world work.
In fact, I personally completed an ultimate test of our proto-type carbon wheels. In February of 2025 I completed a 1700km solo bikepacking ride from Sydney to Hobart, with over 17,000 meters of climbing, carrying a total system weight of 160kg.
The wheels? A set of prototype Unbound Velo carbon-spoked wheels weighing just 1170g, featuring Japanese ceramic bearings sourced from outside the bike industry—bearings that are lighter, smoother, and tougher than anything mainstream cycling brands currently offer.
The terrain?
• Freeways.
• Country roads.
• Gnarly, washboard gravel.
• And plenty of “where-the-hell-is-the-path” detours.
The result?
• Zero buckles.
• Original bearings are still spinning flawlessly.
• Over 10,000km later, still in rotation—still rolling perfectly.
That’s not a lab test. That’s Australia’s east coast at its roughest, under full load, and I actively tried to break them.
The UV AR45s: Purpose-Built, Rider-Tested
Our production wheels, the UV-AR45s are a culmination of those testing kilometres and tech breakthroughs. Featuring:
• 3rd Generation Carbon Spokes: 25% stronger than steel, and 30% lighter
• 1170g Wheelset Weight: For better climbing, faster acceleration, and less fatigue
• Japanese Ceramic Bearings: Industry-leading performance from a source outside the cycling echo chamber
• External Nipples: For hassle-free servicing with common tools
• Spare Spokes Included: Not because you’ll likely need them, but they’re there for peace of mind (or lightweight camping utensils)
• And yes—fully serviceable at any decent bike shop
The Bottom Line: Ride What’s Real
We’re not claiming we’re the only brand chasing carbon innovation. But we are one of the few backing it up with dialed in performance, tantalising tip-in-ability and pure hardcore endurance riding.
So while some wait for the right moment to pivot, we’ve already built, tested, and launched a wheelset that can handle whatever you throw at it. And we’re doing it at a price that makes real performance accessible to more riders.
Ready to Roll Faster not Harder ….?
Ask us about our Unbound Velo AR45s because you don’t need to wait for the industry to catch up. You can just get in the early break and ride it to the finish line without the fear of being caught!