Parcours’ revolutionary vibration-damping Strade GT wheelset is made from reclaimed carbon fibre – and the technology works

Parcours has introduced the Strade GT wheelset, a groundbreaking addition to the road cycling market that combines performance with sustainability by incorporating reclaimed carbon fibre. Developed in partnership with composites specialist Lineat, the Strade GT employs a novel material technology called Aligned Formable Fibre Technology (AFFT), which integrates recycled carbon fibres into the wheel’s structure without compromising strength or ride quality. This innovation reflects Parcours’ strategic shift from chasing marginal gains in weight and aerodynamics towards exploring new materials to enhance overall cycling performance. The Strade GT’s key feature is its VibraCore technology, which places the recycled carbon fibre composite within the spoke bed area to dampen vibrations at their source, improving comfort and ride composure. Unlike traditional carbon wheels that often sacrifice comfort for speed, Parcours aims to deliver race-level performance coupled with everyday rideability. The wheelset maintains a mixed rim depth of 49mm front and 54mm rear, a design choice carried over from earlier models, ensuring aerodynamic efficiency alongside the new vibration-damping benefits. The reclaimed carbon fibre used in the Strade GT is sourced primarily from aerospace industry waste, processed through methods such as pyrolysis to remove resin and plastics, leaving short carbon fibres that retain much of their original mechanical properties. These fibres are then realigned and combined with resin to create AFFT sheets, which make up around 12–15% of the rim’s material composition. This approach not only reduces landfill waste—given that about 90% of carbon fibre currently ends up discarded—but also introduces a unique structural behaviour that enhances the wheel’s performance characteristics. Parcours founder Dov Tate emphasised that while sustainability was a motivating factor, the primary goal was to achieve uncompromised performance gains. He also indicated that the Strade GT is the first in a new series, with plans to extend the VibraCore technology to triathlon and gravel wheelsets, although each application will require tailored engineering. This signals a clear long-term commitment to material innovation and environmental responsibility within Parcours’ product development pipeline. Visually, the Strade GT wheels feature a premium aesthetic with a distinctive diagonal cross-hatch carbon pattern resulting from the AFFT material, setting them apart from traditional unidirectional carbon fibre wheels. The new design language includes updated graphics and branding, reinforcing the wheelset’s high-end positioning. Early prototypes even showcased a holographic treatment on the decals, highlighting Parcours’ attention to detail and style alongside its technical advancements.