Weighing just 1244 grams per pair (including tubeless tape and valves, tolerance +/- 2%), the Scope Artech 6 wheels are among the lightest high profile wheels in the world, but above all they are among the best performing on an absolute level. In fact, we are talking about a Premium product which, with its extremely high technology and innovation, has set a new reference level in the market. There are many noteworthy aspects in this project and it is important to know them in detail to understand the real value of these wheels.
First of all, let's understand the area they belong to, the Scope Artech 6 are clincher/tubeless disc brake wheels (center lock attachment) for road racing use, with high aerodynamic performance with a profile height of 65 mm and an 23 mm inner channel, ideal for 28 mm tyres. They are compatible with 12 mm thru axles with a front hub spacing of 100 mm and a rear hub spacing of 142 mm. There is the possibility to choose between the following freewheel body standards:
- Shimano R11-12v/Sram 11s
- Shimano Micro Spline 12s
- Sram XD(R)
- Campagnolo 11-12s
- Campagnolo N3W
The Artech are the top of the range of Scope wheels, the Artech 6 in particular are the wheels dedicated to pure speed, but with a series of features also common to the other versions, which make them multipurpose, reaching excellence in various fields. In fact, all Scope Artech wheels are designed and developed for a specific purpose and to generate the following benefits in use:
- Aerodynamic Drag : Aerodynamic drag is the aerodynamic force opposite the driving direction that slows you down. It is generated by every component of the wheel including the rim, spokes and hub. By optimizing the profile of the rims, aerodynamic resistance is reduced.
- Lightweight : The importance of lightweight wheels cannot be underestimated as they influence the riding experience in many ways; climbing performance, acceleration, responsive handling and agility. Innovative manufacturing technologies and design ideas are used to optimize the weight of Artech wheels, while respecting other design variables.
- Rolling resistance : Rolling resistance on a bicycle refers to the force that opposes the forward motion of the bicycle as it rolls over the ground. It is the resistance that the tires encounter as they deform and recover with each lap. The tire is an integral part of the development process to ensure perfect fit resulting in low rolling resistance.
- Sidewind Stability : Sidewind stability can be explained as the sensitivity of the steering moment to the sidewind. By optimizing the profile of the rims to reduce aerodynamic drag, crosswind stability is included in the optimization.
- Lateral Stiffness : Lateral stiffness directly influences the handling, responsiveness and overall efficiency of the bike. The lateral stiffness of the wheels is influenced by the hub flange distance, the number of spokes, the subsequent bending of the spokes, the tension of the spokes and the height of the rim. For this reason Scope conceives the wheel as a system to optimize lateral stiffening.
- Durability : Durability is critical for carbon wheels as it directly impacts performance, safety and the overall riding experience. Scope wheels are developed to be durable, reliable, built to last and withstand abuse in extreme circumstances, providing a safe riding experience.
Scope therefore set out to create wheels that are not only an excellent compromise, but which actually achieve excellence in those characteristics considered to be the most important. Let's see in detail how it achieved this by analyzing every single component that distinguishes them.
The rims of the Scope Artech 6 are made of very high quality carbon fiber with a layer designed to optimize the rigidity-to-weight ratio with local reinforcements in the spoke anchoring area. The design is modern with a profile 65 mm high and 31 mm wide with an aerodynamic shape but above all with a particular and unique external finish called "AeroScales" which is the most evident feature of these rims. This design was developed by a specific algorithm AEA (Algorithm Enhanced Aerodynamics) which optimized the rim surface to make it as aerodynamically efficient as possible. The irregularities on the surface of the rim create localized micro-flows of air that travel at different speeds on the surface of the rim creating a stabilizing effect that not only reduces aerodynamic resistance but increases side-wind stability.
These incredible results, achieved thanks to the intelligence of the AEA algorithm, were confirmed in tests carried out in various wind tunnels and also by field tests carried out by independent external entities which declared the Artech Scope as the most aerodynamically efficient wheels on the market. There are then several other small details that contribute to the final result, such as the use of nipples integrated into the rim which not only improve aerodynamics but also aesthetics.
There were already solutions on the market that included internal nipples, used for the same purpose, the difference is that while the other solutions require you to remove the tire and the tape in order to act on the nipples from inside the rim, on the Artech wheels everything can be done from the outside without having to dismantle anything, simply using a specific wrench that is supplied with the wheels. Clearly this is an implementation complication, but Scope has spared no expense and has made no compromises to offer the best you can have!
The rims of the Artech 6 wheels are of the hooked type with anti-bead safety tooth and have an asymmetric profile to optimize the camber of the wheel and better balance the tension of the spokes, thus obtaining a more balanced and consequently reliable wheel. The internal channel is 23 mm wide, according to the most modern trends, and has an optimization of shapes and dimensions such that it can have maximum performance with tires with a 28 mm section.
The Artech 6 wheels are compatible with 28" tubeless tires both with and without an inner tube (the sides of the rim are hooked with a retaining tooth so the rims are also compatible with traditional non-tubeless clinchers). Scope has paid particular attention to designing the shape of the rim channel and the safety tooth in such a way as to guarantee a perfect coupling with all tubeless tyres, guaranteeing safety, ease of inflation and maintenance of the operating pressure (maximum pressure allowed 8.6 bar - 125 Psi).
The generous section then guarantees great lateral and torsional stiffness and allows the use of even wider tires (up to 32 mm) with a greater air volume which allow travel at lower operating pressures with consequent high performance (better grip and traction, greater comfort and lower risk of punctures).
If the rims of the Scope Artech 6 have an high technological content, the hubs are certainly no different. They are made through 3D printing with very high-tech machinery that is able to create structural components in Scalmalloy, a special, very resistant aluminum alloy. 3D printing technology is new to create hubs which are usually made through milling with material removal. Although additive technology is more complex and expensive (very expensive and not very widespread machinery is needed which requires many hours to create a single piece), it allows the creation of much more complex shapes that are impossible to create by milling.
However, to be exploited to its full potential, this opportunity must be supported by higher level design and here the calculation algorithms come into play again which in this case exploit topology, i.e. a modern branch of mathematics that studies the properties of the shapes of objects, to define and optimize the best possible shape for a hub, also taking inspiration from the nature and shape of bones, a wonderful example of structures with an incredible strength/weight ratio. The final result is very light, resistant and efficient hub shells, which help to contain the final weight of the Artech wheel hubs in just 199 grams per pair (with CeramicSpeed ​​bearings), a result of absolute excellence especially when compared to the other characteristics of the hubs, certainly not based on minimalism, but on efficiency and reliability.
The flanges of the Artech hubs have been specifically designed to house the special Straight-Pull spokes heads which are much more efficient and high-performance than the bent-head of j-bend spokes, the disc brake rotor attachment is of the Center Lock type. After being 3D printed, the hub shells are finished by applying a black PVD coating with white pad-printed graphics, then the bearing housing seat is obtained through precise CNC milling.
The axles are of the oversize type with a diameter of 17 mm on which refined SKF sealed bearings rotate (2x 61803 at the front and 3x 61803 + 1x 61903 at the rear), as an option (with a surcharge) you can have ceramic bearings from CeramicSpeed. The bearings are pre-adjusted during assembly and do not require any adjustment system. Instead, there is a system that protects the bearings from damage caused by any excessive tightening of the through axles. Compatibility is exclusively with frames and forks equipped with 12 mm QR12 thru axles with 100 mm front and 142 mm rear spacing.
The freewheel system is of the Ratchet type with direct engagement composed of a double titanium ring nuts with 36 engagements for an action that is always ready and fluid. These rings undergo a special diamond-like surface hardening treatment which significantly increases their life and reduces friction. The rest of the freewheel body is made of 7075T6 aluminum via CNC milling and hard anodized to military specification to increase surface hardness resulting in greater resistance and durability. The whole is a very light, super resistant, reliable and long-lasting engagement system that guarantees prompt engagement and a characteristic sound.Â
Scope Artech wheel hubs are available with freehub bodies of the most popular standards (Shimano, Sram and Campagnolo) from 9 to 13 speeds! It is a modular system where the bodies are easily interchangeable so that the wheels can be easily adapted to a possible new transmission system.
To complete the wheelset, there are the special Carbonlite Aerospokes, made of carbon fiber with an aero profile for superior aerodynamic efficiency combined with high lateral stiffness, all with an ultralight weight and high resistance as can only be achieved with composite materials. These are Straight-Pull spokes present in number 18 on the front wheel and 24 on the rear wheel. In fact, the number of spokes also affects aerodynamics and in particular it is the front wheel that has the greatest benefit in reducing the number of spokes.
The final result in terms of weight is only 1244 grams (including supplied tubeless tape and valves, tolerance +/- 2%), a truly superlative result for high profile wheels designed without compromising on reducing weight at the expense of performance and reliability.
After all, Scope is a serious, super organized and structured company that designs and develops its products internally and has been marketing them for over 10 years in over 25 countries around the world. All products are tested following not only the regulations but also the most severe resistance, performance and durability tests.
The results of the tests you see below (carried out not only by the company but also by third parties such as accredited entities or specialized magazines), also comparative, define the Scope Artech wheels as the best performing on the market.
The Scope Artech 6 wheels represent absolute excellence, a Premium product from all points of view, with attention to every detail, delivered with an absolutely valuable package full of accessories. They are wheels that have no maximum weight limit for the rider, lifetime guaranteed and covered by a lifetime crash replacement policy and with a fast and efficient assistance service. All this reflects the company's philosophy according to which the quality of the product and assistance must be at the highest levels.
As regards assistance, it must be said that normal maintenance and operations such as spoke replacement, tensioning and wheel truing can also be carried out by normal mechanics, without the need to send the wheels to the official assistance centre, which will intervene only in extraordinary cases.
Given the particularity and exclusivity of the product, the various options available and the great demand in proportion to the limited production capacity, we always recommend contacting us before placing the order to check availability and delivery times.
