Revel Bikes is showing off the Rodeo, which is says it the world’s first fully 3D-printed carbon fiber downhill mountain bike. Why? Because they can. And to highlight the possibilities of Revel’s FusionFiber material. While the Rodeo is not currently for sale, it is a very real bike.
The Fine Print: Revel Rodeo
While the Rodeo is a functional bike, Revel will not be offering it for sale any time soon. Instead, the multi-year project is intended to prove what is possible with the rapidly-developing world of 3D printing. For Revel, the Rodeo is a chance to show the potential of its FusionFiber material. FusionFiber is a recyclable and environmentally responsible form of carbon fibre developed by CSS Composites and adapted to use in mountain bike wheels by Revel. It first found use in Revel’s RW30 composite wheels. Now Revel’s looking to see what’s possible.
Enter the printers. Revel worked with Arevo Inc., a brand already working in the additive manufacturing of bicycles, to see what is possible using FusionFiber for a full-suspension mountain bike.
From this…
To a frame
Interior details on the Rodeo
And finally, a real bike frame
Another World-first
The project is the work of Adam Miller (Revel Bikes), Chris Canfield 9CBF suspension inventor) and Jordan Haffener (Revel Bikes Senior Engineer). The trio spent years working with Arevo to design the Rodeo as well as the process of printing the bike. While there are 3D-printed parts and bikes out in the world already, the Rodeo is the first to apply the process to a full-suspension carbon fibre mountain bike.
There are a few reasons why Revel wanted to start with a downhill bike. Downhill is, generally, the most demanding bike to create from both design and usage perspectives. They are complex bikes to engineer. Out in the world, they’re ridden at the limits of what’s possible on two wheels. So if Revel could successfully work out the 3D printing process for a bike like the Rodeo, the trio figures, they would be on solid ground if they decided to use the process for future production bikes with simpler designs and demands.
What does Revel say about its 3D-printed mountain bike?
The Rodeo is just a concept for now. Still, it serves as an example of conviction, innovation, and what is possible with current technology and what could be a reality in the future. It’s hard not to get excited about the prospect of a 3D-printed carbon bike made…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…