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3D Printing: Bike Manufacturers Adopt New Technology

By Dick Weisinger

3D printing is a technology that can create anything by adding layers of material on top of each other. It can make complex shapes that are lighter and stronger than traditional ones. It can also customize things to fit your body and preferences. Some bike makers are using 3D printing to make their bikes even better.

Rob Gow, head of design at Atherton Bikes, a bike manufacturer that is using 3D printing, said that “the beauty of [3D printing] is we can develop the prototypes and refine them to a really high level, and then know that the characteristic is exactly what we’re going to see in the production model.”

One bike maker that has adopted 3D printing techniques is Angel Cycle Works from Spain. They make titanium bikes with 3D-printed lugs. Lugs are the parts that connect the tubes of the frame. They are usually welded or glued, but 3D printing allows them to be more precise and elegant. The lugs also have holes that reduce weight and improve airflow.

Another bike manufacturer using 3D printing is Pinarello from Italy. They make a bike called Bolide F HR 3D that is inspired by the movements of humpback whales. The bike has a special shape that reduces drag and increases speed. It is so fast that it broke the world record for the longest distance cycled in one hour. The bike also has 3D printed parts that optimize the aerodynamics and ergonomics.

3D printing is not only good for making bikes but also for making bike accessories. You can use 3D scanning to measure your head, saddle, or grip, and then print them with 3D printing. This way, you can have a more comfortable and safer ride.

3D printing is changing the way bikes are designed and manufactured. It can help bike makers save time and money while creating better bikes for riders. It can also help riders have more fun and freedom on their bikes. In the future, we might see more 3D-printed bikes on the roads and trails, as well as new innovations and improvements.

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