Forge+Bond brings FusionFiber technology to the tarmac through new CR all-road wheels

Better known for its mountain bike rims, Forge+Bond is an unknown in the realms of road cycling, but it is hoping to make a splash on the tarmac through the release of its new CR all-road wheels.

It’s not the first time the American company has designed wheels for drop-bar bikes, as it already counts the 25 GR gravel wheels in its line-up, but now it has brought its off-road know-how to the tarmac for the first time through the CRs. That's more significant than it may first sound, as it also means the introduction of Forge+Bond's FusionFiber technology to the road too, which means that the new CRs are recyclable.

The new range is available in two different rim depths, either 35mm or 45mm, while both sizes sport a wide on-trend 25mm inner width and 30.5mm external width. There are multiple builds for both depths available, including a Shift variant with the brand’s own hubs, or alternatively with the DT Swiss 350 and I9 Torch hubs.

Read more: What are the latest bike tech trends that you should know about?

Comfort and performance meet

© Forge+Bond

The new CR45 wheel is made using Forge+Bond's FusionFiber technology

Considering Forge+Bond’s off-road roots, and the all-road moniker the wheels carry, it’s not too surprising that the CRs are designed with comfort in mind rather than all-out performance or, as Forge+Bond puts it, “everyday encounters”. That doesn’t mean that it has neglected performance, but instead aimed to find a balance.

“Whether conquering challenging climbs or cruising scenic routes, the CR Series wheels are designed for everyday encounters, providing road riders unmatched responsiveness and power transfer without sacrificing a smooth, fatigue-reducing ride,” Forge+Bond said in a press release.

To achieve this combination, Forge+Bond has lent on existing tech that has served its off-road wheels so well, namely through the adoption of FusionFiber technology. Rather than using the common epoxy-set carbon fibre, FusionFiber adopts Forge+Bond’s proprietary method which combines carbon fibre with nylon, rather than an epoxy resin. It results in a material, Forge+Bond says, that is stronger and more durable without a weight penalty, leading to the “ultimate convergence point of lightweight and performance”.

Perhaps more importantly, the material is 100% recyclable as the carbon-nylon material can be heated until the point where it behaves like a fluid. It is this feature that really helped to separate Forge+Bond’s wheel offering from the crowd when the company first entered the market in 2023. As an added bonus, the different manufacturing process results in no composite waste either - Forge+Bond says that it hasn't thrown away any composite material in over three years, going back to when it was an OEM.

Read more: What is fusion fibre and is it the future of bike component manufacture?

Elsewhere, the strength and durability of the wheels is also enhanced by the carbon lay-up, which contributes towards the minimisation of vibrations to boost comfort. Another key part of this comfort equation is the tyre compatibility, with a huge range from a thin 28mm for road outings to 47mm for off-road forays.

Weights for the 35mm-deep wheel start at 1485g, while this goes up to 1550g for the 45mm depth.

The builds with Forge+Bond’s own Shift hubs are slightly cheaper at $1,250 for both sizes. Both sizes with the DT Swiss hub cost $1,899, while this goes up to $2,199 with the I9 Torch hub.

Explore the full CR range on Forge+Bond’s website.

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