Alex Colnago: “I was also looking for a partnership; one that upheld the values of my family business."

Acol by Alex Colnago: New premium bike brand with WiaWis technology

Alessandro (Alex) Colnago, nephew of Ernesto Colnago, known for starting the famous Italian race bike company in the 1950s, has recently partnered with WiaWis to launch Acol, a premium bicycle brand. Acol specializes in lightweight frames, aerodynamic bicycles and other components including gravel and track frames. The company targets cyclists seeking high-performance gear, utilizing the same advanced materials and engineering principles that WiaWis applies to its renowned archery products.

Metal 3D printing is known for offering significant advantages in manufacturing high-difficulty complex structural parts for bicycles. – Photos BLT

3D printed titanium alloy components launched by BLT and Titan Super...

XI'AN, China - In close collaboration with metal additive manufacturing solution provider Bright Laser Technologies (BLT), frame and bicycle manufacturer Titan Super Bond has successfully printed a titanium alloy fork. The project opens up new possibilities for Chinese OEMs, expects Titan Super Bond.

Frame flex research: the importance of propulsion efficiency in bicycle frame design

Frame flex research: the importance of propulsion efficiency in...

Leading folding bike manufacturer Dahon chairman Dr. David Hon has announced he has uncovered design flaws in various types of bicycles, including mountain bikes, road bikes, and some e-bikes. By examining frame flex and its impact on performance, Dr. Hon has developed theoretical and experimental methods for practical frame flex measurement.

Photos of carbon frames on a landfill site. - Photo Bike Europe

Sydney University claims solution for looming carbon frames waste...

SYDNEY, Australia - The photos of landfills with carbon bicycle frames which did not pass the production tests or were at the end of their life cycle went viral some years ago. The contradiction between the environmentally friendly image of the bicycle and the single-use carbon frame is striking. Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed new methods to solve this major source of waste.

One of the first customers for VDL Bike Frame Technologies is QWIC. - Photos VDL Groep

VDL Groep opens bicycle frame production in the Netherlands

EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands - The word has been spread around in the industry for some time that a new aluminium bicycle frame factory would open soon in Europe. Now, the family-owned industry company VDL Groep has officially announced the start of its fully automated production line in the Netherlands.

V Frames is currently producing injection-molded carbon composite frames, forks, cockpits and other components for several OEMs. – Photo Bike Europe

V Frames and Lehvoss to raise performance of injection-molded bicycle...

SAALFELD, Germany - After V Frames successfully began mass production of injection-molded carbon composite frames, the major focus is now increasing the performance of the raw materials, including stiffness. A recent development agreement with chemical specialist Lehvoss Group should take the products to the next level.

It has been confirmed that Kellys and Koenigsegg's supplier are cooperating on the development and production of ‘the lightest ‘full powered’ e-bike on the market’. – Photo Kellys

Kellys and Koenigsegg's carbon supplier partner to develop 'lightest...

ZEIST, the Netherlands - The cooperation between Kellys and Koenigsegg's automotive composite body part manufacturer has been much speculated since Eurobike. Known for their multimillion Koenigsegg Jesko, the Swedish super-car manufacturer's partner for composite aerodynamics bodyparts and Kellys have partnered in the development of the super lightweight Theos F series e-bike.

The industrialisation of an e-bike frame; 11 necessary steps

The industrialisation of an e-bike frame; 11 necessary steps

The metal processing industry in Europe has a positive outlook for the next 10 years. This is due to the high demand for e-bike frames in the European Union.

Van Raam currently owns one advanced HP 3D printer, but they are considering buying a second one. - Photos Hans Prinsen

Van Raam pushing boundaries of 3D printing in bicycle production

VARSSEVELD, the Netherlands - Van Raam, a manufacturer of special needs bicycles, is a pioneer in the field of 3D printing in the two-wheeler industry. In the past year, the company printed no fewer than 40,000 parts. With 3D printing, they produce parts on demand, keep stock in the form of digital files and produce tools that make their production process more efficient.

“Our projects focus on both high performance downhill bikes and typical Dutch commuter bikes, so a very wide range."

Faction Bike Studio makes the difference with prototype services

Faction Bike Studio, offering industrial design and engineering services to the bike industry, is growing rapidly. An important contribution to this growth is a unique prototype service. This service enables Faction Bike Studio to create a prototype for every step of the development process.

A first hardtail full carbon frame from Carbon Team manufacturing - proudly presented by General Manager Emre Ozgunes (left) with Ciclo Fapril General Manager and Carbon Team shareholder Vital Almeida. - Photo Jo Beckendorrff

Carbon Team starts large-scale carbon frame production in Portugal

CAMPIA, Portugal - Set up as a joint-venture by three Portuguese bicycle component producers and some partners, Carbon Team's new carbon frame factory in Portugal has started large-scale production. Bike Europe visited this new European carbon serial production facility,

The current annual capacity of Triangle’s Cycling Equipments S.A is 200,000 aluminium frames. – Photo Jo Beckendorff

Triangle's frame production now includes full suspension models

BORRALHA, Portugal - The next report in our series on Portugal's industry is frame manufacturer Triangle's Cycling Equipments S.A. Founded by three Portuguese component makers, Ciclo Fapril, Miranda Bike Parts and Rodi Rims & Wheels, the company developed quickly while relying on innovative high-tech welding robots.

“We are making plans to increase our bicycle production capacity by 25% in the next fiscal year,” says Neeraj Dhanda, Managing Director, Sadem Industries. - Photo Satnam Singh

India turns to localisation of parts as supply problems persist

LUDHIANA, India - The Indian bicycle industry is seeing a heavy shift to local sourcing of parts and components as a result of the pandemic-induced supply chain problems. Investment in alloy frame production is also top of Sadem Industries' agenda as it plans to boost its production capacity to meet the surging demand

Helix recently opened its first production line for robotically TIG weld frames. – Photo Helix

Canadian Helix starts robotized frame production

TORONTO, Canada - After a Kickstarter campaign in 2015, Peter Boutakis founded folding bike company Helix. The company expanded quickly and has recently opened its first production line for robotically TIG welded frames.

Test model with frame of 100% Limburg Bikes are now on the road. – Photo 100% Limburg Bikes

UCI World Championships displays test models of 100% Limburg Bikes

LEUVEN, Belgium - The Brightlands Chemelot Campus will display the first test models of the 100% Limburg Bikes this weekend in the Innovation Hub as part of the 2021 UCI Road World Championships in Leuven, Belgium.

Waiting for further processing: Arevo carbon fibre composite bicycle frames out of the 3D printer. - Photo Arevo

Arevo expands its 3D printing facilities as frame shipments begin

MILPITA, USA - Technology company, Arevo Inc has announced not only "the completion of the world's largest 3D printing facility for carbon fiber composite additive manufacturing", but also the first shipment of bicycles and e-bikes with frames out of the 3D printer. Further investment in the technology is also pushing developments forward.

It takes one to two months before everything is running at full capacity again,” says Astro Tech Co, Ltd. MD, Samuel Hu. Photo: Jo Beckendorff

Astro Tech MD, Samuel Hu: "Lockdown in Vietnam takes supply chain...

TAICHUNG, Taiwan - Many bicycle retailers have already experienced suppliers reporting yet another regrettable delay in the delivery of goods, referring specifically to supply chain interruptions and the Covid-19 pandemic. These supplies were meant to fill empty warehouses and storefronts.

“We have not only invested in new frame production techniques but have also established relationships with suppliers outside the regular supply channels,” says Dingyu Manufacturing CEO, Steve Zhu. Photo: Dinyu

Dingyu Manufacturing limits frame production time by 50%

NANTONG, China - Dingyu Manufacturing has developed a new concept for the manufacturing of custom-made frames whereby customers can choose from various dropouts, head tubes, motor brackets for Shimano, Bosch and Bafang systems. All components and tubes are designed to limit the number of welds to five.

Carbon Team CEO, Vital Almeida (right), showing the first frames made by Carbon Team to Minister of State, Pedro Siza Vieira (left), and mayor, Rui Miguel Pereira (middle). Photo Carbon Team

Carbon Team frame factory celebrates official inauguration

VOUZELA, Portugal - The high-tech carbon frame production facility of Carbon Team has been inaugurated by Portugal's Minister of State for Business and Digital Transition, Pedro Siza Vieira. The first frames made by Carbon Team have already been certified after passing rigorous lab tests in Germany.

“It’s hard and challenging to hand over 100 years of legacy,” said Antonio Colombo on the takeover of Gruppo Srl. - Photo: Gruppo

Cinelli and Columbus owner, Gruppo Srl, sold to Asobi Ventures Inc.

MILAN, Italy - Victor Luis investment fund, Asobi Ventures Inc., acquired a majority share in Gruppo Srl, the parent company of the prestigious Italian bicycle manufacturer, Cinelli, and historic tube manufacturer, Columbus. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Ciclo Fapril gained a lot of experience in fully robotized production. – Photo Ciclo Fapril

Portugal starts cargo bike frame and component production

AGUEDA, Portugal - To increase Portugal's autonomy, Ciclo Fapril developed a new project to start cargo bike frame and component production. As partner in the Triangles project, Ciclo Fapril played an important role in the start of bicycle frame production in Portugal a few years ago.

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