Of all the different types of bicycles, downhill mountain bikes have to endure the most abuse. That’s why Colorado-based Revel Bikes decided to 3D print from carbon fiber as an acid test of their technology. The result was a one-off rodeo.
Billed as the world’s first 3D printed carbon fiber downhill mountain bike, Rodeo is made through a partnership with Revel Bikes’ Adam Miller and Jordan Haffener, CBF suspension inventor Chris Canfield, and the folks at 3D printing company Arevo, Inc. created. The latter company is a maker of 3D printed Superstrata road bikes.
Utilizing Arevo’s existing facilities, the Rodeo’s frame’s front triangle and rear swingarm were printed out from a thermoplastic carbon fiber composite. All swingarms were printed as one piece. The team reportedly considered dozens of prototype frames over several years before arriving at a frame they were happy with.
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Not all component specs are listed at this time, but Rodeo has Revel Bikes’ RW30 FusionFiber 29″ carbon wheels with Maxxis tires, a RockShox Boxxer fork and a RockShox rear shock (both 200mm travel), and a SRAM X01 DH drivetrain. Frame said he tipped the scales at 10.5 pounds (4.8 kg). teeth It’s just a design exercise at this point.
In fact, Revel says Rodeo’s manufacturing process is “incredibly time- and energy-consuming, not to mention prohibitively expensive,” so it has no plans to bring the bike to market. .
Nonetheless, it is hoped that lessons learned from this project will help make 3D printing of carbon bike frames more commercially viable. Among other things, this technology enables faster and easier creation of prototypes during the design process, safer and greener production equipment, and better customization for buyers at lower costs.
For more information on the project, watch the video below.
Introducing the Revel Rodeo – 3D Printed Downhill Concept Bike Made in the USA
Source: Level Bike
