Atomik/BERD Wheels: Long Term Review

NOTE: Back in 2020 I received a set of Atomik/BERD wheels for test and review while I was writing for Riding Gravel. I did not pay for these wheels and was allowed to keep them after the review period. Since then I have seen a little interest in the wheels due to my mention of them during my recent WTB tire reviews. I thought it would be good to give everyone a long-term review of the wheels and talk a little more about the technical aspects behind the BERD spokes, which you might not be familiar with.  

Atomik and BERD have no idea I am writing this, they have no influence on what I am saying in this article, and all opinions are mine. I will be quoting liberally from my previous writings on these wheels. Some of the material will be new views since 2020. Let's dig in.....

Obviously the 'star' of this show is the BERD spoke. BERD spokes are not made from metal. In fact, if I were to show one not under tension it might look to you like a rope or braided thread. (See image below)  It would be limp and pliable. Not what you might think of for a good spoke! Here's what BERD has to say from their site:

"Berd spokes are made with Dyneema® (also known as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene). Dyneema® has 15 times the strength-to-weight ratio of steel and floats on water. Berd spokes have an improved fatigue life over steel and are impervious to the elements. This is what makes Berd spokes the lightest, strongest, and most durable spokes ever invented."

Well, now what do you think? Pretty impressive! But how do you make this stuff into a spoke and then lace it into a wheel? That's a special skill set. BERD trains wheel builders to use their spokes and how to tension a wheel set using them to provide long-term results. So, not just anyone can do this, but more wheel builders are getting certified as BERD wheel builders all the time, so these are not rare anymore. For any technical questions on BERD spokes, click that link above and read all their data and FAQ. I'll just say here that the claims and tech data is VERY impressive and I have no qualms whatsoever about riding these wheels. 

One of those claims is that BERD spokes can reduce vibrations to the rider by up to 200%. Whoa! That sounds too good to be true, and I was super suspicious of that upon first reading the claim. Here is what I wrote in November of 2020 about my feelings on this after riding the wheels for several months:

" The Atomik/Berd Ultimate wheels do damp vibrations. Is it 200% better? That’s the big question. I have to say that over a standard type of through axle wheel, such as the all aluminum construction with steel spoked Shimano GRX wheels, yes- The Atomik/Berd Ultimate wheels are definitely approaching a massive amount of wheel vibration reduction here. Compared to a stiff carbon wheel though, the sensation of vibration reduction, while still there, is not as great. "

Image courtesy of BERD.

 So, "it depends", is the actual answer. The point is, however, that the BERD spokes will definitely be noticeably nicer riding wheels, and will always be better in that regard compared with anything else. One unique quality in the Atomik/BERD wheels I noted, and one BERD doesn't even mention, is how the wheels feel "softer" over certain ruts and depressions in the roadway. Here again is what I wrote back in 2020 concerning this:

" I also noted how this wheel set was capable of smoothing out dips and depressions, transitions from pavement to gravel, or lumpy chip sealed roads. There is a vertical compliance component to these wheels which is remarkable. But that isn’t to say that the Atomik/Berd Ultimate wheels have anything approaching a bump damping/absorbing characteristic because anything sharper edged, like a rail road crossing, or a pot hole, is still going to zing you a bit. Quick, sharp hits are still going to be an issue. "

So when I was first riding the Vulpine S tires I was feeling this "smoothing effect" and forgetting that it was the BERD spokes and it was not the tires. Coupled with the notable vibration reductions and you can see how maybe a wheel set like this is not a good platform for tire reviews! My bad!

Over The Long Haul:

Now four years down the line I can say that the Atomik/BERD wheel set has been no problem at all and if it weren't for how light they are (1400 grams for the pair with 28 spokes each) and how nicely they ride, I wouldn't have anything to report. I did 'de-sticker' them, as I did not care for the "billboard" decals, but otherwise they are unmodified and I have not lifted a finger to maintain these other than cleaning and using new rim tape now and again. So, they are pretty reliable spokes and the Industry 9 hubs have been perfect so far. 

Are they worth the money? Well, BERD spokes are not cheap. At eight bucks a shot times 56 holes to fill that's $448.00 just in spokes alone! Add in carbon rims, a set of Industry 9 hubs, and labor, and you can see how the price for these wheels adds up in a hurry. 

The Noble GX5 bike with the Atomik/BERD wheels

 But here's where I would point to my Noble GX5 and tell you it is one of the only bikes I own without a Redshift ShockStop stem on it and that my hands are relatively okay with that. As I get on in age my hands have become even more sensitive to vibrations and I would not ride a bike long without something to damp down the gravel vibrations. The BERD spokes help me do that as well as the Whisky carbon handle bar, the carbon seat post, and that excellent Ergon bar tape and saddle. 

If I were racing longer distance gravel events or if I craved a smoother ride without adding a suspension fork or stem, these wheels would be well worth the extra cash. They are durable and well made. The spokes may seem weird, but they have been around a while and they look like they will be around for a while longer, judging by the buzz these BERD spokes are getting lately. So, it depends upon what you value in wheels, but I will only say that they work and ride like nothing else I've ever tried. 

I don't plan on taking them off my bike anytime soon either!