Hookless rims are a controversial topic. These bicycle rims forgo the traditional bead hook that helps hold a clincher tyre on a rim under pressure. Since they first appeared in the late 2010s, many brands have adopted the technology, but others have stuck to hooked rims due to safety and tyre-compatibility concerns.
Last month, one influential figure in cycling tech waded into the debate. Josh Poertner, the CEO of Silca, issued a strong rebuttal of hookless rims for road bike wheels.
When answering a question from a listener on the Marginal Gains Cycling Podcast, Poertner said “hookless rims are a scam”. He claimed they have “zero performance advantages” and that they present “a safety risk”.
While he acknowledged that certain wheel manufacturers would disagree, Poertner said the only purpose of the technology is “to drive down manufacturing cost”.
In our new video, Simon von Bromley digs into Poertner’s claims and discusses what the cycling industry has to say about the tech.
