New Parcours Strade GT Road Wheels Kill the Buzz w/ VibraCORE damping

Parcours has unveiled its latest innovation in road wheel technology with the launch of the Strade GT model, featuring the new VibraCORE damping system. This development aims to tackle rider fatigue by significantly reducing vibration frequencies transmitted through the wheels. Unlike traditional methods that focus on tyre pressure or frame compliance, VibraCORE incorporates a unique carbon fibre material and design directly into the wheel’s spoke bed, where most road energy is absorbed and transferred. The VibraCORE system is the result of a collaboration between Parcours, Lineat, and Nottingham Trent University, utilising Lineat’s Aligned Formable Fibre Technology (AFFT). This process repurposes reclaimed chopped carbon fibres into aligned tape, which behaves differently from conventional continuous carbon fibre used in wheel construction. By integrating this material into the spoke bed layer, VibraCORE reduces root mean square vibrational energy by up to 23% in key frequency ranges, effectively mimicking the comfort benefits of lowering tyre pressure by 10 to 15 psi without compromising performance. In addition to its vibration-damping capabilities, the Strade GT wheels are remarkably lightweight and aerodynamic. The front wheel weighs just 495 grams and the rear 635 grams, marking a substantial weight reduction from previous models. Strength has also been enhanced, with impact resistance nearly four times the UCI minimum standard. The wheels feature Alpina Carbolite carbon fibre bladed spokes for the first time, offering a blend of weight savings and ride quality comparable or superior to traditional steel spokes. Aerodynamic optimisation is tailored for 30mm tyres, delivering a 3.2-watt reduction in drag compared to the original Strade wheels, while also improving crosswind stability by 15%. The wheels remain compatible with 28mm tyres, though wider tyres may diminish these aerodynamic gains. Available immediately, the Strade GT wheels are priced at $3,299 with steel bearings or $3,589 with ceramic bearings, offering options for Shimano HG and SRAM XDR freehub bodies, as well as custom hub colours and rim graphics for an additional fee. Parcours’ introduction of VibraCORE and the Strade GT wheels represents a significant step forward in addressing rider comfort through innovative material science, without sacrificing weight or aerodynamics. This approach could influence future wheel designs by prioritising vibration management at the wheel level, potentially reshaping how manufacturers balance performance and rider fatigue in high-end road cycling equipment.