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May.2026 15
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A Brief History of Carbon Spokes: What Every Wheel Builder Should Know
Introduction
Carbon fiber spokes have quickly become one of the most widely adopted innovations in road cycling wheels. Their use has now expanded beyond road bikes to gravel and cross-country applications. Like any emerging technology, carbon spokes underwent a period of experimentation before reaching the level of standardization we see today.
Details
In this article, we provide a brief history of carbon spokes, helping you make more informed decisions when selecting spokes for your wheel builds.
Carbon Spoke Construction
The carbon spokes discussed here are replaceable spokes, similar to traditional stainless steel spokes. They can be laced (not bonded), tensioned, and replaced. Each carbon spoke consists of three components:
Spoke head: steel or titanium
Carbon body
M4 Thread insert: steel or titanium
Note: When measuring carbon spoke length, always include the full spoke head.
There are two main methods for connecting carbon and alloy components: joint and adhesion. Adhesion relies on glue, but durability is generally low, so most manufacturers have moved away from this method. While binding techniques vary across manufacturers, the core concept is consistent: the ends of the carbon body are slightly enlarged to fit securely into the hardware.
Manufacturing Process
The production of a carbon spoke generally follows three key steps:
(1) Carbon rod molding (2) Installation of hardware & rod-end treatment (3) Hardware pulled outward to the desired position
With a basic understanding of how carbon spokes are manufactured, we can explore the evolution of each component and how design concepts have shifted over time.
HARDWARES
Spoke Head Design
When carbon spokes were first introduced, they featured round heads. The spoke head hardware came in two types: one-piece and two-piece.
Two-piece design: Compatible with standard road bike hubs, similar to steel spokes. There are two variations: joint-type (heavier, >3g) and glued titanium hardware (lighter, but unreliable as some hardware can pull out after a few days). Due to these drawbacks, two-piece designs remain relatively rare, though some brands choose glued versions for ultra-lightweight builds.
One-piece round heads: Initially, hubs designed specifically for carbon spokes were rare. Early adopters laced these spokes to existing road hubs, often requiring minor modifications to hub flange holes—which could void the warranty. Over time, leading OEM hub manufacturers developed hubs optimized for carbon spokes, allowing wheel brands to pair spokes with OEM hubs with or without custom branding.
Limitations: Round-head spokes are prone to twisting under low tension, potentially misaligning the bladed section and increasing aerodynamic drag. Solutions include screws atop the spoke head or transitioning to T-shaped heads, which require specific flange hole designs. Today, T-shaped heads are the most widely adopted.
Some innovative brands, such as Non-Plus, have introduced threaded spoke heads, providing greater tolerance for spoke length adjustments.
Hardware Materials: Stainless Steel vs. Titanium
Carbon spoke hardware is available in stainless steel or titanium alloy.
Material Type
Stainless Steel
Titanium
Spoke Weight
~2.8g/pcs
1.8g/pcs
Price
$
$$
Color
Anodized Black
Titanium, Anodized Black
Titanium hardware offers weight savings at a higher cost, while stainless steel provides a more budget-friendly option with minimal performance compromise.
Carbon Body: From Wide Aero to All-Road Versatility
The carbon body itself has remained largely consistent in construction. The main evolution has been in mid-section dimensions:
Early carbon spokes: Bladed width of 3–4 mm Aero-focused designs: Width increased to 4+ mm for aerodynamic advantage Recent trends: Narrowed to 2.9–3.5 mm to prioritize lightweight builds and optimize ride feel
Material optimization has also addressed early concerns about excessive rigidity, improving ride quality while maintaining stiffness.
Conclusion
Understanding the history and design evolution of carbon spokes can help you make informed choices for your wheel builds.
At NTP, we offer a wide range of carbon spokes, with bladed widths from 2.9 mm to 5.4 mm and multiple hardware options. Whether you want to source spokes only or have us build complete wheels for your brand, we can support your projects. Contact us for our carbon spoke building manual and start designing your next-generation wheelset.
