Bicycle wheel and rim

An impact resistant spoked wheel comprising a rim adjustably connected with a plurality of spokes each of which is fixedly connected with a hub and with the rim, wherein said rim comprises:

• a left and a right transverse torque converter yoke portion, each of which is integral on one end with a vertical rim side wall portion and on another end with a curved yoke torque connector portion, wherein each of said rim side wall portions is integral with a left or a right tension member portion integral with a respective left side or a right side of a spoke load bearing portion,
• wherein each of said rim side wall portions forms a torque transfer angle of about 20 degrees to about 45 degrees with a horizontal plane passing through an outer surface of said transverse torque converter portion, and wherein said yoke torque connector portion comprises a radius of curvature of about 0.22 inches to about 0.34 inches;
• the rim being formed using a metal matrix composite (MMC) having a matrix selected from among an aluminum alloy, a magnesium alloy, a titanium alloy, a beryllium alloy or mixtures thereof, and having a plurality of particles therein selected from among alumina, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, boron carbide and silicon nitride;
• and
• wherein said spoke load bearing portion is capable of receiving said plurality of spokes, and said vertical rim side wall portions and said transverse torque converter yoke portion comprise a tire cavity capable of reversibly receiving and sealing a pneumatic tire to said impact resistant spoked wheel.