Pair of wheels Strade GT VibraCORE course profile 49 54mm carbon rays Alpina Carbolite
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Strade GT course: when recycled carbon becomes a performance argument

ByStan Updated on

And if the next significant gain in carbon wheels came neither from the air nor from the weight, but from the material itself? This is the bet that Run with the Strade GTs, launched in April 2026. The UK brand incorporates recycled carbon in its rims via VibraCORE technology, developed with Lineat and the University of Nottingham Trent. The Strade GT VibraCORE tracks display 1130g announced in profile 49/54mm with Alpina Carbolite carbon rays, and promise a measured 23% reduction in vibration in critical frequencies for cyclists, all for 3199€. We do what's behind the numbers.

The Strade GT Routes inaugurate VibraCORE technology: recycled carbon structurally integrated into the rim radius bed.

VibraCORE : Recycled carbon in the heart of the rim

The technical heart of the Strade GT is VibraCORE. In concrete terms, the aim is to integrate into the rim a layer of AFFT (Alined Formable Fibre Technology) material produced by Lineat, a Welsh company specializing in the re-use of carbon fibres. The process recovers short fibres from composite waste, then re-aligns them to form a composite tape that retains about 30% of the virgin carbon traction module.

This material represents 12 to 15% of the total rim volume, the rest being in conventional continuous carbon fibres. The placement is strategic: the beam bed is the area where vibrational energy enters the wheel structure. By changing the energy transfer between the laminate layers at this precise location, VibraCORE acts upstream of the entire chain, before the frame, before the contact points. This is a key distinction from the usual approaches (tire pressure, flexibility of the framework) which all intervene downstream.

Figures: -23% vibrations, but under what conditions?

The University of Nottingham Trent validated its measurements with a serious protocol: multi-axis sensors on the gallows and upper tube, 5 testers from 55 to 105 kg, several types of frames (carbon, titanium, alu), standardized tires (Vittoria Corsa Pro 28 and 30mm) at three controlled pressures (2.75, 4.1 and 5.5 bar), on the real road.

Results at 4.1 bar showed a reduction in RMS vibrational energy of 23% in the 4-12Hz band and 19% in the 20-50Hz band. These ranges correspond to the resonances of the human body most related to fatigue: trunk (4-12Hz) and soft tissues (20-50Hz). This effect is translated by an equivalent of 0.5 to 1 bar of pressure less, without the associated compromises (roll resistance, steering accuracy).

The white paper details with honesty the limits: at 2.75 bar, the profit decreases by about 50% because the tire already absorbs a lot. At 5.5 bar, the absolute reduction remains similar but the percentage drops. The sweet spot is located around the 4 current bar, which corresponds to the actual use.

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

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

VibraCORE is not the only change. The rim profile has been optimized for a 30mm tire (internal width 23.5mm), resulting in a 3.2W aero gain compared to the previous Strede with a 30mm at 48km/h, and a 15% reduction in lateral crosswind force. The Strade GT also inaugurate carbon rays at Parcours, with the Alpina Carbolite lacing 21/24 (ratio 2:1). The white paper notes that these rays behave in a similar manner to a flat steel radius in terms of elasticity, which alters the bias of excessive rigidity often associated with carbon rays.

Le poids des jantes est passé de 470/480g (Strade) à 370/385g grâce au layup VibraCORE plus efficient, et la résistance à l’impact dépasse 140J contre 40J requis par l’UCI.

Avis de la rédaction

Les Parcours Strade GT VibraCORE marquent une approche qu’on voit rarement dans l’industrie des roues : un fabricant qui publie un white paper de 30 pages, détaille son protocole de test, reconnaît les limites de sa technologie (bénéfice réduit à basse pression) et cite ses partenaires académiques. C’est le contraire du marketing creux. La réduction de vibrations de 23% mesurée à 4 bar est un chiffre concret, validé en conditions réelles sur plusieurs profils de cyclistes, ce qui donne du crédit à la promesse.

Le point de vigilance : à environ 3199€ (roulements acier), on est dans le très haut de gamme. Et il faudra un test terrain pour vérifier si les 23% de réduction vibratoire se traduisent en sensation perceptible sur 150km de route dégradée, ou si le gain reste surtout mesurable par capteur. Les Parcours Strade GT sont une proposition convaincante pour les cyclistes longue distance exigeants, à condition que le ressenti sur le terrain confirme ce que les données annoncent.

Technical specifications

  • Profile: 49mm (front) / 54mm (back)
  • Weight: 1130g la paire (annoncé)
  • Poids jantes : 370g (avant) / 385g (arrière)
  • Internal width: 23.5mm
  • Moths: Parcours (nouveau design, captive spoke)
  • Rays: Alpina Carbolite carbone, 21 avant / 24 arrière (ratio 2:1)
  • Bearings: Acier (standard) ou céramique (option)
  • Tire compatibility: Tubeless Ready, jante hooked
  • Price: 3199€ (roulements acier) / 3489€ (roulements céramique)
  • Disponibilité : Avril 2026

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