 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Active Spoke Product Review |
Pros:
Great rolling inertia. Easy to install. Great concept. Well finished product. Support is outstanding.
Cons:
No advantage on a climbing course - where end point is a higher altitude than the start.
I initially asked the question a few months back if Active Spokes (AcSp) were used or had any benefit. Since I was
playing with weighting my rims like a fly wheel before hand, and no one has reviewed or used the product I
thought I would give it a try.
Ordered the elite 6 spoke configuration. The product arrived promptly, well packaged and with a very good set of
instructions on how to install. Installation took about an hour, but would of taken a lot shorter if I wasnt being so
meticulous installing them. Easy install but winding the springs did get a little monotonous, but once they were
done the rest was easy. The hardest part of the install was figuring out the configuration of the spokes to place
the AcSp on. Since I have 20 spoke rear, I used a 5 spoke installation.
Each course rep was done on a separate day with similar conditions, and no wind. Wheelset used was a set of
Carbon Spinergy Stealth 50mm.
I started my whole experiment by making a baseline 10 mile course that incorporated roughly 50% flat and the
rest rolling with two good hills at 2 minutes. Rode this at race pace and managed to get 29:07. I was pushing
hard and my heart rate was peaking at about 175. Baseline done.
The hardest part of the whole setup is figuring out the weight you need to put on each spoke. This will take time. I
initially used all the weights but found they were causing me to slow down on my climbing on a rolling course,
due to the weight being too far out on the spoke close to the hub. Total course time was 30:09. 1 Minute slower
and heart rate was peaking at 178. But I could feel the inertia on the flat and coming out of the downhill over some
of the shorter rollers. Just the hills felt sluggish.
I then reduced the weights by removing the middle piece (They come with three pieces) and went out again on
the same day as the first AcSp ride). 27:28 and my heart rate peaked at 173. So climbing was the factor when the
AcSp were out at the rim. Conclusion. Springs were too weak for a heavier weight at my rate of climbing.
I contact AcSp and the sent me a set of Pro springs, no charge. (Great Customer service again), and changed out
the springs. Put all the weight back on again and went out. 26:32. Peak HR 171. On the climbs as per usual.
Better. Came home removed the middle section of the weight and went back out again. 28:34, but my peak HR
was 168. (Hill section).
My after comparing my speeds on the hills, the flats and the rollers I found my overall speed on the flats was
increased by about 0.5mph and the rollers were about 0.4. On the climb with the pro springs, there was little to no
difference in the climbing.
Now, to be fair to the baseline, after everything was done and tested, I remove AcSp off my wheel and did the
course again. 29:01 and peak Hr at 172.
Overall conclusion, once you figure out your setup for you bike and your strengths you can gain roughly about 0.5
or more mph on a course.
Worth the money. Thats your call. In my first race this year compared to last year with AcSp on I went faster on a
course that was 1.4 miles longer and the wind was blowing upwards of 20mph, when last year it was calm. I had
a PB by 4 minutes with gains on the bike and the run. I can attribute my run time increase to having a better bike
and fresher legs.
Worth the money? For me - Absolutely.
Price Paid:
$175.00
