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Token Breaks the Mold for Aero Design with new C45 Hero Carbon Clincher

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Token Aero c45A wheel

There has been a lot of talk of aerodynamics and rim shapes recently, but one thing is certain – these aren’t your average toroidal rim profiles. Pictured above is Token’s new take on the aerodynamic rim, called the Swiftedge. Built with a wider 23mm rim bed, and a 45mm tall rim profile with what can only be referred to as wings, the C45A Hero wheelset is sure to be a topic of discussion.

Check out Token’s take on aerodynamics after the jump.

Token Aero c45A wheel air

According to Token, with the aerodynamics of the Hero, they wanted to control the wind, not just slip through it. It’s claimed that the lip running on the inner edge of the wheels effectively strengthens the wheels and works to direct crosswinds around the wheel better than a traditional rim shape for better handling. When traveling straight into the wind, the lips are said to push air away from the the wheel rather than into the spokes and hub. The wheels feature a carbon shell bonded to an aluminum brake track for improved braking especially in the wet.

An interesting concept for sure, hopefully there will be some wind tunnel data released in the future that will confirm the design.

Token Aero c45A wheel pair Token Aero c45A wheel included

Each C45A Hero wheel is laced to their new HERO hubset that features Token’s TBT bearings. We have a bottom bracket and headset in from Token currently (more on those soon), that just have standard steel bearings but they feel fantastic. As long as they are durable, Token bearings are quite impressive. The wheels are laced with a 20 spoke radial front, and a 24 spoke diametric rear pattern (2x drive, 1x non drive) with straight pull Sapim CX-Ray spokes and alloy internal nipples.

Weight for the set is 1739g and the wheelset carries a 198lb (90kg) weight limit. The Hero wheelset will be on display at Eurobike, along with pricing and availability.

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19 Comments
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Juice
Juice
10 years ago

I thought we moved past the days of carbon bonded to aluminum brake tracks.

Gillis
Gillis
10 years ago

Interesting concept. From my armchair aerodynamicist point of view – while the air may be deflected to the sides from the leading edge, what’s happening to the air closer to the top (or bottom? It seems like it (the air) would fanned out in a way that might not be as efficient.

Bill
Bill
10 years ago

So the wind hits the lens flare and that deflects it?

harro
harro
10 years ago

People who buy token wheels aren’t concerned with aero, just price.

Pedals
Pedals
10 years ago

@harro

Thanks for the lulz.

jose espinoz
jose espinoz
10 years ago

an almost square edge on the top of the wheel? mmm, non-bulbous rounded edge aka old school high profile aero-wheels shape? oh well, lets see some monkey lab test and let me know later.
design engineering is getting weird this days, right?

Blanket
Blanket
10 years ago

The lens flare only adds vertical compliance and, by my math, a 4% reduction in rolling resistance. Any aero benefits would be marginal at best.

Blanket
Blanket
10 years ago

Still that’s about 2.7 hours over a 2236km time trail. Nothing to sneeze at.

G-Man
10 years ago

This annoys me to no end: rim manufacturers showing airflow going radially from the tire towards the hub, as if that’s what determines wheel aerodynamic performance. Air almost never flows like that in real world circumstances, and any rare airflow experienced in that manner is certainly never a major component to overall drag. That picture is misleading and their design claims based around it are junk.

Trigeek
Trigeek
10 years ago

I won’t believe it until Zipp says it’s true

harro
harro
10 years ago

@Pedals

np bro, just keepin it real

McClain M
McClain M
10 years ago

I’m pretty sure the aero benefit is like a challenge to you- the wheels are daring you to spin them up fast enough to even touch upon their aero qualities. Seriously, 1739g??? I built a set with Kinlin XC-279 20/24h, Cx-Rays and generic hubs for less than $400, and I bet they’re about as aero, and 3/4lb lighter (1455g).

Xris
Xris
10 years ago

1739gr for a carbon/alu wheelset? May have been a great deal in 2008, but not anymore.

Klaus
Klaus
10 years ago

“Carbon Clincher” with aluminium??

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
10 years ago

Let’s see the comparison data between these and Zipps, Enves, Reynolds, and etc.

Collin
Collin
10 years ago

At PSI^2, comparison data, 1739g >>>> 1300 g

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
10 years ago

@ Collin: comparison AERO data.

Michael
Michael
10 years ago

Hey, remember those aluminum rims with brake track wear indicators? Instead of a groove, this one’s carbon bit pops off when it’s time to replace.

@G-Man: Are you saying there’s MORE than a 1 cm strip of air hitting a stationary rim & tire section at 0° yaw in the “real world”? I hope the second picture was just for promotional purposes and doesn’t represent the extent of Token’s fluid dynamics testing.

If you’re trying to reduce the turbulent wake created by the spinning spokes, wouldn’t directing oncoming laminar air outward LOWER the pressure behind the front rim section even further, increasing drag? A windtunnel comparison test would be interesting.

Argh
Argh
10 years ago

@Michael , carbon is for racing.. And.. If you are racing then you should change parts because of wearing

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