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Is there any professional suspension system applicable between rim and nipples ?

Did some tests on road bike with narrowest tyres long time ago with positive results. Wondering if there exist anything similar ready made now ?

Do not respond no, do not know, impossible and similar spam. Thank you.


Edit 3

Tested gum also under dropouts / over Through Axles, is there any possibility pipe can move a bit in dropouts then or is it fixed hard ? Not sure how to check if it has any measurable effect.


Edit

Not asking moderators, etc. 1st unasked answer is off-topic - nipple, gum(?) layer, rim does not sound like outer end of spoke ??


Edit 2

If someone prefer pictures. Base taken from RIMs, Asphalts.
Mind common narrow rires with recommended pressure around 8bars. Idea compilation


Image from https://bikebooboos.com/repairs/wheeltruing/ but relabelled by Criggie

Here are the English names for the parts of a wheel, for consistency.

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  • 5
    "Do not respond no, do not know, impossible and similar spam." - However, what if the answer is actually no?
    – Weiwen Ng
    Aug 31, 2019 at 21:49
  • 2
    So, is the actual question about breaking spokes?
    – ojs
    Sep 1, 2019 at 6:43
  • 2
    Btw, in a way the spoke suspension exists. Thinner spokes are more flexible and do exactly what you are looking for.
    – ojs
    Sep 1, 2019 at 6:47
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    Tom, the post could be improved by removing the comments about idiots and spam. People downvoting and commenting are not spammers. The comments point out genuine issues with your questions.
    – Weiwen Ng
    Sep 1, 2019 at 11:19
  • 3
    "Also spices do not need to get all kicks from tyres or tensions from rim."... please get someone to translate.
    – ojs
    Sep 1, 2019 at 15:10

1 Answer 1

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I have never heard of anything like this, and here are my thoughts on why this concept has not been made:

My guess is that suspension at the rim and outer end of the spoke will effectively re-tension the spoke every time the rim rotates. Suspension only works when it has room to move in both directions, and also has a damper to resist oscillation.

We know that one of the chief causes of broken spokes at the J-bend is when the spoke is too loose. A suspension unit on the spoke would have to flex to do any absorption of vibration, which would effectively tighten and loosen the spoke continuously. This will lead to metal fatigue and to broken spokes.


Braking/cornering feedback loop

A wheel is a three dimensional system - there are side forces from pedalling, from the ridden-surface, and from braking. Any and all of those could set up a feedback oscillation that would have unpredictable effects on riding. You do not want play in any part of your wheel.


Concept wheels

Some wheels do exist that replace spokes or tyres with other systems. but for various reasons they haven't caught on. Spokes are cheap and well understood.

https://www.wired.com/2013/05/loopwheel/

in-wheel suspensions are nearly as old as the bicycle itself, but the designs always failed because they were too heavy or too flimsy. (from https://www.wired.com/2013/05/loopwheel/ )

Imagine a hard braking effort on that wheel. It would wind up, storing energy which would push you backward hard when the forward momentum went to zero and the brake was released.


On the positive side, there is already a suspension item in that area, being the air inside your tire/tyre. A taller and wider tyre at a lower pressure will provide more effective suspension than anything in the spokes could do.

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  • google.com/amp/s/www.engadget.com/amp/2019/06/04/… even "in tyre" suspension exists yet...
    – Jan
    Sep 1, 2019 at 4:27
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    All suspension systems have some energy loss. Air inside tyres is the least lossy. That thing from Michelin is trying to replicate that and be totally puncture proof at the same time.
    – ojs
    Sep 1, 2019 at 6:39
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    Michelin is replacing the tire to make it air-less, not adding suspension to the rim itself.
    – Max
    Sep 1, 2019 at 11:22
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    Please don't encourage this guy by answering his questions. He already said he doesn't want to hear from moderators and doesn't want to hear from people who say that the answer is "no". Sep 1, 2019 at 15:09
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    I feel differently to David on that, I think that patiently explaining why you don't think this has been done is a great thing to do. The question is such a mess that I can't fathom an answer but you have put forward one which i think is very good (even +6 is probably an above average score for most questions). Everyone entitled to ask a question here is entitled to have it answered after all. So kudos
    – Swifty
    Sep 4, 2019 at 18:31

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