laboratory

Design

Our design focuses upon understanding the dynamics by which the mechanical device is to be used. Is the project aimed at constructing and road-testing a racing bicycle or a regular vehicle specifically meant for the cycle-touring market? The structure, the geometric features, the set-up are different depending on the goal to be reached. That is why our ambition is to produce bicycles able to achieve the goal they are intended for.

Planning parameters

In order to realise a frame our engineering staff refers to the following parameters:

Stability: a racing-bicycle frame must ensure stability on a downhill road as well as when taking up or exiting a sharp bend, without giving in to the resulting sideways thrust.

Rigidity: the rigidity of the frame is important but it is not a parameter of reference. A rigid frame is definitely not comfortable while on the other hand an insufficiently rigid frame gives in to the side thrust more easily. That is why a PERFECT BALANCE between resistant and elastic force must absolutely be achieved during the planning stage.

Sideways thrust: a highly flexible frame does not ensure a top uphill performance. Every centimetre of sideways flexure results in a centimetre of frontal metric development thus causing excessive energy consumption by the athlete.

Comfort: this is an essential parameter for long distance bicycling; the geometrical structures and the type of carbon used for such a vehicle exercise a strong impact on the comfort of a racing bike.

Safety:During the production phases we fully comply with this basic parameter of the UNI 14781 regulation.

Selection of the materials

A high-performance bicycle frame requires high-quality carbon. Toray, a leading company in the production of carbon sheets, is our partner for the realisation of monocoque models. The highly resistant and flexible tubes of custom made models are plated with this material requested by the most important carbon frame producers in the world.

Production methods

The quality of the production system is as important as the quality of the carbon used; we were among the first companies in Europe to exploit the EPS technology, a system that guarantees a resistance and rigidity coefficient as well as absolute cleanliness inside the frame.

Once the frame is completed it is turned over to experienced Italian craftsmen that will skilfully varnish our products with the ambition of turning them into real masterpieces.

Lab tests

The 14781 Standard provides for each frame to pass the traction, resistance and impact tests before put on road.
In addition to the tests required by law we also test the aerodynamics of the frame to understand how it could be possibly improved on contact with air. Such tests are mandatory for precision timing races, where the elimination of as many air friction points as possible is vital.

Road tests

Michele Bartoli is the head of the bicycle road testing process; the “Lyon of the Flanders ” is in fact in charge of evaluating the feedback given by a bicycle ridden under extreme stress conditions. His competence and experience are the elements on which we base the constant efforts we put into improving our products.