Berd Spokes

For discerning cyclists in Minnesota and across the globe, the quest for the ultimate riding experience often leads to the frontiers of cycling technology. In the heart of Hopkins, Minnesota, stands Berd Spokes, a company that has truly redefined what's possible in bicycle wheel design. Unlike traditional bike shops, Berd Spokes specializes in an innovative product: bicycle spokes made from a groundbreaking material called Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), commonly known by its brand name, Dyneema®. This isn't just an incremental improvement; it's a fundamental reimagining of a core bicycle component, promising a lighter, stronger, and more comfortable ride.

Founded in 2015, Berd Spokes embarked on a mission to leverage advancements in materials science to elevate cycling performance. Their PolyLight™ spokes, weighing as little as 2.5 grams per spoke, are recognized as some of the lightest in the world. But the benefits extend far beyond just weight savings. Riders consistently report an enhanced feel on the road or trail, experiencing better vibration damping and a remarkably smooth, almost "suspension-like" quality. For Minnesotans who navigate diverse terrains, from urban commutes to rugged gravel paths and challenging mountain bike trails, this technology offers a tangible advantage in comfort, speed, and durability. Berd Spokes is not merely selling parts; they are offering a transformative upgrade to your cycling experience.

Berd Spokes is located at 720 5th St S, Hopkins, MN 55343, USA. This strategic position within Hopkins makes it a highly accessible destination for cyclists throughout the western suburbs of Minneapolis and the greater Twin Cities area. Hopkins is a vibrant community that is well-connected by major roadways, ensuring a straightforward drive for visitors from surrounding areas such as Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, Eden Prairie, and Wayzata. Ample parking facilities are available, making it convenient to transport your wheels or bike for service or consultation.

While Berd Spokes is not a traditional walk-in retail store for general bicycle sales, its location in Hopkins is significant for its specialized services. For local cyclists intrigued by their innovative spoke technology, visiting the facility allows for direct interaction with their team and provides an opportunity to discuss custom wheel builds or spoke upgrades in person. The ease of access reinforces their commitment to serving a national and international clientele, while still providing a physical presence for their Minnesota-based customers to engage with this cutting-edge technology.

Berd Spokes specializes in the design, manufacturing, and application of their revolutionary PolyLight™ spokes, offering a focused range of services centered on high-performance wheel building and upgrades.

• PolyLight™ Spoke Sales: The core product of Berd Spokes is their patented PolyLight™ spokes, made from Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE, or Dyneema®). These spokes are available in various lengths and can be ordered individually or in sets for custom wheel builds or replacements. They offer both white and black colors, with options for custom painted spokes in colors like Finch Yellow, Oriole Orange, Flamingo Pink, Robin Red, Blue Berd, and Martin Purple.

• Custom Wheel Building Service: Berd Spokes offers a comprehensive custom wheel building service, allowing cyclists to create their dream wheelsets with Berd spokes. They collaborate with leading hub and rim manufacturers in the industry. This includes popular rim brands such as ENVE Composites, Stan's No Tubes, Nox Composites, Hed Cycling Products, Velocity, and We Are One Composites, and hub brands like Industry Nine, DT Swiss, Onyx Racing Products, and SON Hub Dynamos. Customers can specify their preferred components to build a truly personalized, high-performance wheelset.

• Wheel Rebuilding and Upgrade Service: For cyclists who already have a favorite set of hubs and rims, Berd Spokes provides a service to rebuild existing wheels with their PolyLight™ spokes. This allows for a significant weight reduction (typically 100-200g per wheelset) and enhanced ride quality, making existing wheels feel "brand new again at a fraction of the cost of a new set." This service involves carefully removing old spokes and lacing in the new Berd spokes, ensuring a precise and high-quality build.

• Spoke Replacement Kits and Tools: Berd offers replacement spokes and specific tools necessary for working with PolyLight™ spokes. This includes tools like the Berd Spoke Holding Tool, Awl, Pulling Tool, and external nipple wrenches, catering to professional wheel builders and those looking to perform their own maintenance or replacements.

• Technical Support and Warranty: Berd provides detailed technical support for their products, including installation guides and FAQs regarding compatibility and maintenance. Their spokes are backed by a 5-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects, and their complete Berd HAWK Series wheels carry a lifetime rim and spoke warranty against manufacturing defects.

• Research and Development: As an innovative company, Berd Spokes is continuously engaged in research and development to push the boundaries of cycling technology, focusing on lightweight, strong, and durable components. They perform rigorous testing, including impact and torque fatigue tests, to ensure the performance and reliability of their products.

Berd Spokes stands out as a unique and groundbreaking entity in the cycling world, offering distinct advantages that appeal to performance-oriented cyclists:

• Revolutionary Spoke Technology: The primary highlight of Berd Spokes is their patented PolyLight™ spokes, made from Dyneema®. This material offers an unparalleled strength-to-weight ratio (15 times stronger than steel for the same weight), resulting in spokes that are incredibly light (around 2.5 grams each) yet exceptionally strong. This re-invention of the spoke fundamentally changes wheel performance.

• Superior Vibration Damping: A significant and frequently praised benefit of Berd spokes is their ability to dampen road and trail vibrations. Unlike metal spokes that transmit harshness, Dyneema® inherently absorbs these shocks. This leads to a noticeably smoother, more comfortable ride, reducing rider fatigue and enhancing control, particularly on rougher terrain like gravel roads or mountain bike trails. Users report feeling like they "even dampen some of the road vibration/bumps better than my old school spokes ever did," and provide "200% better vibration damping than metal spokes."

• Enhanced Durability and Impact Resistance: Despite their light weight, Berd spokes are remarkably durable and resistant to impact. The flexible nature of Dyneema® allows them to absorb blunt force impacts without deforming or failing, unlike brittle metal spokes which can bend or break. This makes them highly reliable for demanding off-road riding, as confirmed by riders who "beat these things through many off road races and training rides through mud, snow, rain, heat, cold, you name it, and they have held up without issue."

• Improved Acceleration and Responsiveness: The significant reduction in rotational weight (typically 100-200 grams per wheelset) offered by Berd spokes translates directly into faster acceleration and easier climbing. Customers describe wheels spinning up "faster than ever" and feeling "sexy-fast," allowing them to push harder with less effort.

• Longevity and Fatigue Life: Dyneema® boasts an improved fatigue life over steel, meaning Berd spokes are less susceptible to metal fatigue and are impervious to elements like water, rust, and UV degradation. This contributes to a longer lifespan for the spokes and the overall wheelset.

• Customization and Aesthetic Appeal: Beyond performance, Berd spokes offer aesthetic benefits. They "look fantastic" and can be customized with various color options, allowing cyclists to personalize their wheels and achieve a distinctive look.

To learn more about Berd Spokes, discuss a custom wheel build, or inquire about their innovative products, you can reach them using the following contact details:

• Address: 720 5th St S, Hopkins, MN 55343, USA

• Phone: (612) 308-8740

• Email: For product inquiries: [email protected]. For service and warranty inquiries: [email protected].

• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Central US Time.

Given their specialized nature, it is advisable to contact Berd Spokes directly for detailed inquiries regarding custom orders, compatibility, and technical specifications. Their team is ready to provide expert guidance and support for your advanced cycling needs.

For Minnesota's dedicated cycling enthusiasts, particularly those in the Twin Cities metro area who are always seeking ways to enhance their performance and comfort on the bike, Berd Spokes represents a remarkable local asset. While not a traditional walk-in bike shop with rows of complete bicycles, its presence in Hopkins offers direct access to truly cutting-edge bicycle technology that can transform an existing ride or elevate a new custom build. Minnesotans who value innovation, durability for varied weather conditions, and improved ride quality for tackling our state's diverse terrains – from long-distance gravel rides to technical mountain bike trails – will find immense value in Berd's offerings.

The benefits of Berd spokes directly address key desires of local riders: significant weight savings for faster climbs and acceleration, and superior vibration damping for a more comfortable experience on Minnesota's often-imperfect roads and trails. This reduced fatigue translates into longer, more enjoyable rides, a crucial factor for a community that embraces outdoor activity year-round. The fact that this revolutionary technology is developed and available right here in Hopkins means local riders can engage directly with the innovators, ensuring personalized service and support. Choosing Berd Spokes means investing in a high-performance upgrade that is designed to withstand the rigors of Minnesota cycling, allowing you to ride "sexy-fast" and confidently for many seasons to come.

Berd Spokes

720 5th St S, Hopkins, MN 55343, USA