A vehicle wheel, including an outer rim, a central hub with a central axle and an outer flange, a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub, a bracing element connected to one of the spokes, and a clamping element connected to the bracing element. The spokes have a span portion between the rim and hub. The spoke has a tensile axis of applied tensile load along the span portion, a sidewall surface, and a longitudinal axis along its length. The bracing element includes a portion of one of the rim and hub. The spoke is anchored to the clamping element in a clamped connection where the clamping element is clamped to one of the spokes by a clamping force. At least one of a first portion and a second portion of one of the spokes is joined to the clamping element by a deformed engagement.