Carbon fiber has been a staple within the biking trade for over a decade now. As soon as reserved for the highest racers, carbon fiber is just about ubiquitous in relation to all issues on two wheels. From e-scooters to folding bicycles, there are a number of choices in the marketplace which can be made out of this light-weight but sturdy materials.
With all of the constructive attributes of carbon fiber, there are additionally a number of drawbacks, particularly in relation to sustainability. CF manufacturing is vitality intensive, and it’s tough to recycle carbon fiber scraps. However, an organization known as Velos Developments from New Zealand desires to make a distinction. Its latest innovation, dubbed the Holocene Superbike, is made out of recycled carbon fiber. Simply because the bike is manufactured from carbon scraps doesn’t imply it is low-cost. In actual fact, it’s costlier than quite a lot of different contemporary carbon e-bikes, tipping the scales at a hefty $14,800.
Velos Developments will get its recycled carbon fiber from sources equivalent to SailGP Applied sciences, an organization recognized for its work within the area of composites. As for the Holocene Superbike, solely 100 items of this unique bike are anticipated to be produced. On prime of all that, every of those bikes can be produced in line with the specs of the client, providing a near-endless array of customization choices. In fact, Velos Developments can be working with solely essentially the most famend names within the biking trade equivalent to Shimano, Campagnolo, FSA, and Sram.
As for the inside workings of the bike, the body is made out of recycled aerospace-grade resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheeting from SailGP Applied sciences and different aerospace companions. These scraps of carbon are too small for giant industrial purposes, however appropriate to be used in developing bike frames. Velos Developments then shops these carbon sheets in a freezer to protect their integrity till body manufacturing, as uncured impregnated carbon fiber sheeting can degrade when uncovered to the weather.
Velos Development’s new Holocene Superbike is obtainable in six totally different sizes to cater to riders of various heights. The completed body is anticipated to weigh in at about 900 to 950 grams. In fact, pricing will fluctuate relying in your chosen elements, however as talked about earlier, the entry-level construct bundle that makes use of Shimano Dura-Ace components will set you again about $14,800.