Paire de roues Parcours Strade GT VibraCORE profil 49 54mm rayons carbone Alpina Carbolite
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Parcours Strade GT: when recycled carbon becomes a performance argument

ByStan Updated on

What if the next significant gain in carbon wheels came neither from aero nor from weight, but from the material itself? That is the bet Parcours is making with the Strade GT, launched in April 2026. The British brand integrates recycled carbon into its rims via VibraCORE technology, developed with Lineat and Nottingham Trent University. The Parcours Strade GT VibraCORE have a claimed weight of 1130g with a 49/54mm rim depth and Alpina Carbolite carbon spokes, and promise a measured 23% reduction in vibration in the frequencies most critical for the cyclist, all for €3199. Let’s take apart what lies behind the figures.

The Parcours Strade GT debut VibraCORE technology: recycled carbon integrated structurally into the rim’s spoke bed.

VibraCORE: recycled carbon at the heart of the rim

The technical heart of the Strade GT is VibraCORE. In practice, it involves integrating into the rim a layer of AFFT (Aligned Formable Fibre Technology) material produced by Lineat, a Welsh company specialising in reusing carbon fibre. The process recovers short fibres from composite waste, then realigns them to form a composite tape that retains around 30% of the tensile modulus of virgin carbon.

This material accounts for 12 to 15% of the total volume of the rim, the rest being conventional continuous carbon fibre. Its placement is strategic: the spoke bed is the zone where vibrational energy enters the wheel’s structure. By changing the transfer of energy between the laminate layers at this precise point, VibraCORE acts upstream of the whole chain, before the frame, before the contact points. This is a key distinction from the usual approaches (tyre pressure, frame compliance), which all act downstream.

The figures: -23% vibration, but under what conditions?

Parcours had its measurements validated by Nottingham Trent University with a serious protocol: multi-axis sensors on the stem and top tube, 5 testers from 55 to 105kg, several frame types (carbon, titanium, alloy), standardised tyres (Vittoria Corsa Pro 28 and 30mm) at three controlled pressures (2.75, 4.1 and 5.5 bar, i.e. 40, 60 and 80 psi), on real roads.

The results at 4.1 bar show a 23% reduction in RMS vibrational energy in the 4-12Hz band and 19% in the 20-50Hz band. These ranges correspond to the resonances of the human body most linked to fatigue: the torso (4-12Hz) and soft tissue (20-50Hz). Parcours translates this effect into the equivalent of 0.5 to 1 bar less pressure, without the associated compromises (rolling resistance, steering precision).

The white paper honestly sets out the limits: at 2.75 bar, the benefit drops by around 50% because the tyre already absorbs a lot. At 5.5 bar, the absolute reduction remains similar but the percentage falls. The sweet spot is around the usual 4 bar, which matches real-world use.

  • Graphique PSD comparaison vibrations roue carbone standard versus VibraCORE Parcours Strade GT 60 psi
    The VibraCORE curve (yellow) shows a clear reduction in vibrational energy compared with the standard rim (white), particularly visible between 20 and 50Hz.

Aero, weight and carbon spokes: the rest of the equation

VibraCORE is not the only change. The rim profile has been optimised for a 30mm tyre (23.5mm internal width), which gives an aero gain of 3.2W over the previous Strade with a 30mm tyre at 48km/h, and a 15% reduction in side force in crosswinds. The Strade GT also mark the debut of carbon spokes at Parcours, with Alpina Carbolite in 21/24 lacing (2:1 ratio). The white paper notes that these spokes behave similarly to a steel bladed spoke in terms of elasticity, which challenges the assumption of excessive stiffness often associated with carbon spokes.

Rim weight has dropped from 470/480g (Strade) to 370/385g thanks to the more efficient VibraCORE layup, and impact resistance exceeds 140J against the 40J required by the UCI.

Our verdict

The Parcours Strade GT VibraCORE represent an approach rarely seen in the wheel industry: a manufacturer that publishes a 30-page white paper, details its test protocol, acknowledges the limits of its technology (reduced benefit at low pressure) and cites its academic partners. It is the opposite of hollow marketing. The 23% vibration reduction measured at 4 bar is a concrete figure, validated in real conditions across several rider profiles, which lends credibility to the promise.

The point to watch: at around €3199 (steel bearings), we are at the very top end. And a field test will be needed to check whether the 23% reduction in vibration translates into a perceptible feeling over 150km of rough road, or whether the gain is mainly measurable by sensor. The Parcours Strade GT are a convincing proposition for demanding long-distance cyclists, provided that the feel on the road confirms what the data claim.

Technical specifications

  • Rim depth: 49mm (front) / 54mm (rear)
  • Weight: 1130g a pair (claimed)
  • Rim weight: 370g (front) / 385g (rear)
  • Internal width: 23.5mm
  • Hubs: Parcours (new design, captive spoke)
  • Spokes: Alpina Carbolite carbon, 21 front / 24 rear (2:1 ratio)
  • Bearings: Steel (standard) or ceramic (option)
  • Tyre compatibility: Tubeless Ready, hooked rim
  • Price: €3199 (steel bearings) / €3489 (ceramic bearings)
  • Availability: April 2026

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