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Berd Spokes: The revolution in professional cycling
- May 6
- 3 min read
You may have heard or read about them before; Berd Spokes are currently taking the world by storm in mountain biking, cyclocross, and many other off-road disciplines, thanks to the lightest spokes available and their unique shock-absorbing capabilities.
History of Berd Spokes
Berd Spokes was founded in 2015 with a single goal: to reinvent the traditional steel spoke using modern materials and engineering. The founders experimented with Dyneema fibers—extremely strong, lightweight synthetic fibers—and used them to develop the first polymer “string spokes.”
Starting in 2017, the first sets really hit the trails and the mountains. Today, Berd PolyLight spokes are used in wheels at the highest level, including Olympic cross-country victories. The brand grew rapidly in niches such as MTB, gravel, and performance road, where riders benefit from lower weight and greater comfort.
Why did Berd Spaken become a success?
Berd spokes have become so popular because they combine three qualities that are normally hard to achieve together: extremely low weight, high strength, and noticeably greater comfort. A set of wheels with Berd spokes can be roughly 100–200 grams lighter than the same set with steel spokes. This is rotating weight that you feel with every acceleration.
In addition, the Dyneema fibers dampen vibrations much better than metal. This makes the bike feel smoother on rough terrain and reduces fatigue. Tests and reviews often mention that wheels with Berd spokes feel quieter, “smoother,” and more responsive. Under load, they remain sufficiently stiff for aggressive steering and sprinting.
Does it only have benefits?
No, there are downsides to this as well:
Less aerodynamic: A round, relatively thick spoke is less aerodynamic than a flat aero steel spoke. As a result, Berd isn’t the first choice for die-hard time trial and aero enthusiasts.
Price: A wheelset with Berd spokes is clearly more expensive than a set with good steel spokes. The additional cost runs roughly into the hundreds of euros.
In addition, building and servicing Berd wheels requires specific expertise. Not every wheel builder is able or willing to work with them. This makes choosing a specialist (such as an official Berd builder) especially important. For many riders, the gains in comfort and weight more than outweigh these drawbacks, but it’s not a “no-brainer” upgrade for everyone.
When will it be worth it to buy Berd Spokes
Choosing Berd spokes makes the most sense if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
You prioritize comfort: Do you often ride long tours, marathons, or rough gravel/MTB trails? If so, extra vibration damping can really make a difference in how fresh you stay.
You want lighter, faster-feeling equipment: Because the weight savings are in the wheels, you’ll notice faster acceleration, easier acceleration out of corners, and a more playful ride feel.
You ride off-road a lot: On rough terrain, Berd spokes distribute impact across more spokes. This is better for the rim, hub, and nipples, making the wheelset feel more robust.
Difference between Berd Spokes and Carbon spokes
Both Berd and carbon spokes are lighter than steel, but they take a different approach.
In short: carbon spokes are the choice for maximum stiffness and often offer aerodynamic benefits, while Berd focuses more on comfort, weight savings, and a unique “lively” feel in the wheel. Which one suits you better depends on your riding style and priorities.
Possible combinations with Berd spokes at Etappe Cycling
Etappe Cycling explicitly positions Berd spokes as an option for MTB, gravel, and road bikes. This indicates that there are already many possible combinations available within the product range. The PolyLight spokes are suitable for various disciplines, and you can have your wheels custom-built.
In practice, this means that at Etappe Cycling you can consider:
Type of use: MTB, gravel, or road.
Rim and hub selection: (Color) combinations with suitable hubs/rims that are compatible with Berd spokes (J-bend or specific flanges) and match your riding style and weight
Since not every hub/rim combination makes technical or warranty sense with Berd, it’s wise to consult directly with Etappe Cycling to determine which setup is recommended for your weight, discipline, and use (races, marathons, bikepacking). This way, you get the most out of the spokes while ensuring reliability.
Questions?
Mail us at contact@etappecycling.com.
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