{"id":2678,"date":"2026-06-13T21:21:43","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T20:21:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/?p=2678"},"modified":"2026-06-13T21:21:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T20:21:43","slug":"pi-rope-duke-strada-review-textile-spokes-road-bike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/en\/pi-rope-duke-strada-review-textielspaaken-racefiets\/","title":{"rendered":"Textile spokes on a road bike: what are you really getting with the new Pi Rope Duke Strada?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Pi string<\/strong> with the new <strong>Duke Strada Series<\/strong> a step towards wider use of textile stitches. The line-up, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DX_qohNjJNw\/\">announced in May 2026<\/a>, runs from the <strong>Street 30<\/strong> (claimed weight: <strong>850 grams<\/strong>to the <strong>Street 56<\/strong> and a <strong>\u00c6ra Street 56<\/strong> with a CFD-optimised rim surface and a claim of \u201cup to 10% less aerodynamic drag.\u201d At the heart of every wheel: <strong>Vectran\u00ae spokes<\/strong>, the same material that Pi Rope has been using since 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DX_qohNjJNw\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DX_qohNjJNw\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\"> <div style=\" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DX_qohNjJNw\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\">A post shared by PI ROPE (@pi_rope)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On paper, that's impressive, but road cyclists ask tougher questions than mountain bikers. How do textile spokes compare when it comes to aero depth, steering precision, ease of maintenance, and a price tag around <strong>\u20ac2,500\u20133,000<\/strong> in the equation throws?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weight and cushioning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The weight saving is real. <strong>Vectran<\/strong> has one-fifth the density of steel at one and a half times the tensile strength, <a href=\"https:\/\/pirope.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Katalog_Englisch_20220223_WR35_Korrektur.pdf\">thus Pi Rope<\/a>. Per spoke, that's roughly half compared to classic steel. In a complete wheel, that adds up: the earlier <strong>Duke Baccara Ultra SLR2 36<\/strong> Wooga <strong>985 grams<\/strong> per set, and the Strada 30 dives well below that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ride quality confirms the pattern. <strong>Bicycle<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bike-magazin.de\/en\/components\/impellers\/pi-rope-wheels-in-the-test-what-can-the-duke-lucky-jack-sls4-do\/\">Test Pi rope wheels<\/a> recorded better damping and comfort. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingabout.com\/berd-spokes-improve-comfort-scientific-look\/\">Controlled vibration analysis of CyclingAbout<\/a>, executed with similar polymer spokes (Berd, UHMWPE), matte <strong>16% reduced lateral vibrations<\/strong> and <strong>17% reduced front-to-rear vibrations<\/strong> on rough terrain. The comfort gain therefore lies in vertical damping as well as how the wheel reacts sideways and in the direction of travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Critical eye<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The same flexibility that provides comfort comes with a downside. BIKE noted that the lateral stiffness of Pi Rope wheels was low, and some test riders found the steering feel to be \u201ctoo indirect.\u201d The CyclingAbout data confirms this: <strong>20\u201324%: reduced lateral stiffness<\/strong> than identical wheels with steel spokes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With shallow rims (30\u201336 mm), this is acceptable for most riders. But with <strong>48 and 56 mm<\/strong> depth, where you expect a premium wheel to steer crisply and predictably, that trade-off becomes sharper. The <strong>\u00c6ra Street 56<\/strong> claims aerodynamic gains through CFD optimisation of the rim surface, but independent wind tunnel data for the complete system, including spokes, is not yet available. For reference: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cycloworld.cc\/en\/article\/review-berd-spokes\/6387\">CycloWorld<\/a> observed with comparable polymer spokes that they are \u201cless aero than flat aero spokes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another point of attention: Pi Rope's catalogue lists a <strong>maximum operating temperature of 60\u00b0C<\/strong> and a requirement to regularly treat the spokes with the protective agent <strong>PI PROTECT<\/strong>, which can wear out due to harsh washing or pressure washers. The previous wheel model had a <strong>maximum system weight of 95 kg<\/strong>, which, with rider, bike, bottles and wide tyres, is quickly reached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">For whom.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Strada series is most compelling as a climbing wheel or an all-round wheel in the 30\u201336 mm range. Every gram counts here, lateral stiffness is less critical, and the damping gains are best appreciated on longer rides over varied road surfaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Who <strong>56 mm<\/strong> The Diep aero wheel is, at present, primarily a promise. The rim technology appears sound, but the combination of textile spokes, deep rim, and premium price point demands independent validation that is not yet available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Practical considerations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Weight<\/strong>competitive, with claimed <strong>850 g<\/strong> for the lightest set<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Damping<\/strong>independently validated benefit on rough roads<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lateral stiffness<\/strong>measurably lower than steel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aero<\/strong>Claims present, independent data not<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Maintenance<\/strong>more specific than standard spokes, with own protective product and branded parts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>System weight<\/strong>: please note the 95 kg limit from previous models<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More info at <a href=\"https:\/\/pirope.net\">pirope.net<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pi Rope brings Vectran spokes to the demanding road wheel segment with wheels starting from 850 grams and aero options up to 56 mm. But do the benefits hold up where the criticism is harshest?<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2695,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Pi Rope komt met nieuwe wielen. Is het wat?","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[9],"tags":[294,293,296,295,297,252],"class_list":["post-2678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brillen","tag-duke-strada","tag-pi-rope","tag-racefiets-wielen","tag-textielspaaken","tag-vectran","tag-wielrennen"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2678"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2678\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2696,"href":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2678\/revisions\/2696"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2695"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cyclingreview.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}