150,000 wheels and counting – Berd rolls out latest release of TRUDI, the revolutionary wheel truing machine

March 25, 2026

New wheel sizes, smarter software and a game-changing external driver - here's what's new in the latest TRUDI release

(25 March) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Berd, the cycling technology company redefining the bicycle spoke, today unveils the latest TRUDI wheel truing machine. Since its debut one year ago, TRUDI has helped wheel builders produce more than 150,000 wheels worldwide. This newest release introduces expanded capabilities, including support for wheel sizes from 20-inch to 32-inch, improved functionality for factory environments, compatibility with e-bike wheels, and broader support for a wide range of rim and nipple types, with access from both the internal and external sides of the rim.

TRUDI is a tabletop bicycle wheel truing machine designed to bring speed, precision and repeatability to the wheelbuilding process. By coupling automated measurement with intelligent software and guided adjustments, it removes the guesswork and variability of traditional hand-building – offering consistent, high-quality results in a fraction of the time.

At the heart of TRUDI is a simple but powerful process. The wheel is placed into the machine, where it spins to capture a complete dataset – measuring radial and lateral runout, as well as centering. Spoke tension is then recorded before TRUDI calculates the exact adjustments required and feeds them directly to the driver, enabling accurate truing in a single pass. For wheelbuilders still relying on manual processes, TRUDI represents a step-change in both speed and precision – dramatically increasing throughput while maintaining consistent, high-quality results. What traditionally takes multiple iterations can now be completed in as little as 5–10 minutes, without the complexity of larger systems.

The latest TRUDI introduces a series of significant hardware and software upgrades:

Expanded Compatibility Across All Wheel Types

TRUDI is now equipped to handle virtually any wheel a builder may encounter. The introduction of Berd’s new Universal Hub Mounting System expands compatibility to cover wheel sizes from 20” to 32” within a single machine, while supporting a wide range of hub standards including thru-axle, quick release and bolt-on. This update also improves compatibility with modern wheel formats, including e-bike applications.

Tight Build Precision with New Mini Tensiometer

A newly introduced Mini Tensiometer enables accurate tension measurement in tight spoke patterns – such as smaller wheels or e-bike hubs – where traditional tools can struggle. Builders can easily switch between tensiometers depending on the application, maintaining both accessibility and precision across a wider range of builds.

Faster Workflows with External Driver & Quick-Change Tooling

Workflow efficiency has been significantly improved through a series of new upgrades. A new quick-change bit system expands compatibility across multiple nipple types and configurations, including square, hex and proprietary formats. Most notably, Berd’s new external driver enables adjustments to be made on the exposed portion of standard nipples, identical to the way a traditional spoke key operates. This allows wheels to be trued without removing the tire or rim tape – delivering a major time-saving advantage, particularly in service and high-volume environments.

Advanced Software Enhancements for Production Environments

Supporting these hardware upgrades is a streamlined suite of software enhancements built for professional and high-volume users. TRUDI now supports custom spoke profiles and allows manufacturers to create tailored build recipes for specific products and workflows. Improved in-process guidance enhances consistency and ease of use, while expanded compatibility supports a wider range of spoke materials and patterns – including 2:1 lacing.

Built for Global & High-Volume Operations

Additional upgrades, including adjustable driver speeds and Chinese language support, further extend TRUDI’s capabilities for global and high-volume manufacturing environments – positioning the system as a scalable solution for some of the world’s most advanced wheelbuilders.

Charlie Spanjers, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder of Berd, says: “Wheelbuilding is a complex, highly skilled process – every adjustment affects lateral, radial, centering and tension at the same time. Getting that to behave in a way that’s predictable, repeatable, and fast has always been a challenge, and can take many years to fully master. What TRUDI does is fundamentally change that. It replaces an iterative, experience-driven process with a controlled, data-driven one – reducing build time, improving precision, and lowering overall build costs. For builders, it’s a total gamechanger, and opens the door to a lot of new possibilities – not just in how wheels are built today, but how they could be built in the future. We’re only at the beginning of what is possible here!”

For more information, visit berdtechnology.com

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Images: HERE

PR Contact:
Kate Allan
Compete PR
kate@competepr.com
+44 7754 072648

Berd Spokes Contact

Charlie Spanjers

Berd Spokes – CEO & Cofounder

charlie.spanjers@berdspokes.com

612-308-8740720

Editor’s Notes

About Berd

Berd is all about being a bike nerd. Berd = BE A BIKE NERD.

Berd is a US-based cycling technology company founded by a small team of engineers with a shared obsession for improving how bikes are built and perform. The company first made its name by rethinking the traditional steel spoke, developing a lightweight alternative designed to deliver both strength and ride quality.

That same mindset—questioning established processes and finding better ways to do things—has since expanded into wheelbuilding, with a focus on bringing more consistency, accuracy and efficiency to what has traditionally been a highly manual craft.

Find out more: www.berdspokes.com

About TRUDI

TRUDI is Berd’s tabletop bicycle wheel truing machine, designed to simplify and speed up the wheelbuilding process. It combines automated measurement with guided adjustments, helping builders achieve accurate results without the usual trial-and-error.

Since launching in 2025, TRUDI has been used to build more than 150,000 wheels worldwide, across both independent workshops and larger production environments.

In practical terms, TRUDI is designed to:

• Reduce truing time to as little as 5–10 minutes
• Deliver more consistent results, regardless of experience level
• Help workshops increase throughput without compromising quality

The latest update builds on this with broader compatibility (20”–32” wheels, including e-bikes), new hardware such as an external driver and mini tensiometer, and improved software aimed at higher-volume use.

Find out more: www.berdtechnology.com