Composite bicycle rim

A rim formed of a cured composite material, the rim comprising:

• a radially inner portion disposed along an inner circumference of the rim;
• a first sidewall;
• a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are formed of a fiber reinforced plastic composite material throughout their entirety, and extend radially outward from the radially inner portion;
• and
• a radially outer tire engaging portion disposed along an outer circumference of the rim, the radially outer tire engaging portion extending from the first sidewall and the second sidewall, respectively,
• wherein the first sidewall includes a plurality of first strips of the composite material, the composite material including a matrix of a polymer-based material and fibers of a reinforcing material, the fibers of each first strip of the plurality of first strips extending in a primary strength direction of the respective first strip, and
• wherein the second sidewall includes a plurality of second strips of the composite material, the fibers of each second strip of the plurality of second strips extending in a primary strength direction of the respective second strip,
• wherein at least one of the first strip and the second strip have a finite length, the finite length being the length of the first sidewall plus an overhanging portion.

A wheel for a bicycle, the wheel comprising:

• a central hub configured for rotational attachment to the bicycle;
• a plurality of spokes attached to the central hub and extending radially outward from the hub, the plurality of spokes consisting of a number of spokes;
• and
• a rim comprising:
• a radially inner portion disposed along an inner circumference of the rim, the plurality of spokes being attached to the radially inner portion of the rim,
• a first sidewall;
• a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are formed of a fiber reinforced plastic material widths throughout their entirety, and extend radially outward from the radially inner portion;
• and
• a radially outer tire engaging portion disposed along an outer circumference of the rim, the radially outer tire engaging portion extending from the first sidewall and the second sidewall, respectively,
• wherein the first sidewall includes a layer of a composite material, the layer of the composite material including fabric plies of the composite material that are shaped as strips, the composite material including a matrix of a polymer-based material and fibers of a reinforcing material, and
• wherein the strips include a first strip and a second strip, the second strip being adjacent to the first strip within the layer of the composite material, the second strip being nonparallel to the first strip,
• wherein at least one of the first strip and the second strip have a finite length, the finite length being the length of the first sidewall plus an overhanging portion.