Cargowheel

The frames of cargo bikes are usually specially designed, but the other components are often taken from conventional bicycles. The wheels, in particular, represent a weak point here. This is evident from broken spokes, concentricity issues and riding noise. This is due to the high payload of up to 200 kg, as well as the high lateral forces acting on the wheels, particularly in two-wheel cargo bikes and trailers. These forces are not adequately taken into account in conventional wheel designs and testing standards. A specially designed wheel is therefore to be developed that is engineered to withstand increased lateral forces. The spoke lacing will be separated by function by using several sets of spokes at different angles. This allows strength and stiffness to be optimised separately for radial and lateral forces, and enables different spoke materials to be combined. In addition, new testing methods are to be developed and applied that accurately reflect the specific loads experienced by multi-track cargo bikes. 

• High wheel loads on cargo bikes due to heavy payloads and high lateral forces (particularly on multi-track vehicles)
• Standard wheels are not specifically designed to withstand high lateral forces --> damage to wheels
• Current design guidelines and testing standards do not take sufficient account of the loads actually acting on the wheels 

• Development of a wheel system with functionally separated spokes for different load directions
• Increased lateral load-bearing capacity with optimised wheel stiffness, thereby maintaining or improving ride comfort
• Measurement of actual wheel loads on multi-track cargo bikes, and the development and application of new, realistic test methods that accurately reflect the higher lateral forces

1 October 2024 to 30 September 2027

ERDF, SAB (Saxon Reconstruction Bank)

PiRope GmbH