Bicycles
Bicycle manufacturers select carbon fibre solutions for the clear performance benefits. Compared to traditional aluminium structures, sporting goods produced with composites offer extremely lightweight and supremely stiff and strong characteristics.
Automated filament laying and true zero degrees axial fibre
For tubular frames, CompoTech’s automated filament laying and true zero degrees axial fibre placement gives both repeatable quality, whilst allowing tailored laminate design and composite tube properties to suit each customer. Through further process development the advanced winding technology can offer Intergrated Loop Technology (ILT) frame connections consisting of a continuous fibre wound joint.
Find out MoreCDuro
The CDuro bike frame triangle features CompoTech’s Integrated Loop Technology (ILT). ILT is a process that combines the structural composite element, such as a tube, with a joining component or loop. It is used to connect two composite parts or integrate a bushing in a hinging system. The result is a joint integral to the structure from a continuous fibre automated placement process.
Key benefits:
- Efficient material use – eliminates reinforced patches or over-laminated joints
- Reduced machining – joint or hole designed into the ILT filament placement process
- Increases the automation of the part – reduced quality issues and overall production and labour time
- Stronger joints – especially relevant to parts with tension or bending stresses
The CDuro bike frame was a JEC World Innovation Award 2023 finalist.
Festka
CompoTech has worked closely with Feska, Czech bicycle manufacturer, in the development of performance driven, composite frame structures. In collaboration with the Prague Technical University, a study was conducted to test and produce a range of composite tubes used in the bicycle frame. Each tube has a tailored axial and torsional stiffness to achieve maximum performance for the rider.
For the main structure, the straight tube frame components have been produced. A prototype for the chain and seat stay winding is underway. R&D work has also been undertaken for the manufacture of wheels using filament winding and pressing techniques. This will enable an automated process for composite wheel production.
