Road race cycling frame of the future

Master thesis (2019)

Authors

B.M. Adriaansens Industrial Design Engineering

Contributors

D.I. Brand Form and Experience (coach)
S.G. van de Geer Form and Experience (mentor)
Faculty
Industrial Design Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering
Copyright: © 2019 Bobby Adriaansens
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Published Date

12-07-2019

Language

English

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Faculty

Industrial Design Engineering

Abstract

In the competitive road race-cycling sport, having a frame that is lighter and aerodynamic, grants a competitive advantage. If we look at the market, the lighter and expensive bicycles are made from carbon where the cheaper models are made out of metal-alloys. This makes the consumer biased towards metal-alloy frames, mostly about the weight. To make a optical and physical change in weight, the connection points (lugs) in between tubes are chosen. Using a topology optimised lug in frames improves production speed whilst maintaining conventional production methods and technologies. This lug has the opportunity to make the frame lighter and stiffer compared to a frame without lugs. The final product is a result of a marriage between craftsmanship and cutting edge technology. This product incorporates the characteristics and core strengths of the Braun-cycling company and the developments of CAD modelling software and additive manufacturing into a unique and high-quality product. It shows that metal-alloy bicycles are in no way outdated, but are futureproof.