New York State based mostly titanium specialist model No.22 has unveiled what it’s claiming to be the world’s first 3D-printed titanium aero bike, referred to as the Reactor Aero. The frameset makes use of a mix of 3D printing and in-house fabrication processes to create an aerodynamically optimised profile completely from titanium. This differs from different titanium framesets that both mix titanium lugs with carbon fibre tubing or use straight spherical gauge titanium tubing with out an aero profile.
The Reactor Aero builds on the model’s current race bike the Reactor with the brand new Aero model present process computational fluid dynamic (CFD) evaluation in the course of the design course of. On the date of the bike’s announcement, it’s but to be certified in a wind tunnel, nevertheless No.22 has confirmed that this can be happening forward of the bike’s business launch in 2025.
Primarily based on the outcomes of the finalised frameset’s CFD simulations, the model says the Reactor Aero presents round a 30-40% aerodynamic drag discount over the model’s versatile all-road bike the Aurora.
The Reactor Aero could be very angular in its aesthetic with the frameset capable of accommodate as much as 34mm tyres (Picture credit score: No.22)
The Reactor Aero, though clear in its intentions as an all-out velocity machine, has saved up with present street bike tendencies with room for as much as 34mm tyres to be fitted. This goals to provide riders the choice to suit some extra forgiving or extra adventurous tyres.
But it surely was not simply aerodynamics that No.22 regarded to enhance with the brand new Reactor Aero, one other space that has seen enchancment is the drivetrain stiffness of the body with the model making the daring declare that these enhancements seemingly make the Reactor Aero frameset essentially the most environment friendly by way of energy switch of any product of titanium.
This has been achieved by redesigning the down tube, backside bracket intersection, and chain stays optimising them extra successfully by utilising the freedoms provided by 3D printing. The model additionally says “All different tubing profiles and intersections had been additionally constructed from the bottom as much as assist mood drivetrain stiffness with the legendary trip high quality titanium is thought for.”
The Reactor Aero has improved energy switch stiffness by redesigning key areas of the frames tube profiles. (Picture credit score: No.22)
The prototype occurring show on the MADE bike present from 23-25 August is a completely 3D printed body, manufactured from Grade 5 titanium powder. The one exception to this throughout the entire frameset is the seat put up. This deviates away from titanium and favours carbon fibre very similar to the usual Reactor. The seat tube is an built-in seat put up (ISP) that options an aerodynamic profile consistent with the remainder of the frameset and has been co-developed and produced by July Bicycles.
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The ultimate model of the Reactor Aero that can be accessible for buy will see the bike printed in a number of sections that may then be machined and welded collectively in-house. By manufacturing the frames on this method the manufacturers is ready to “utilise their a long time of experience leading to tighter controls over high quality, tolerances, and finishes.”
The one a part of the Reactor Aero that isn’t product of titanium is the carbon fibre built-in seat put up that’s made in collaboration with July Bicycles. (Picture credit score: No.22)
In a press launch forward of the bike’s launch, Bryce Gracey, a Co-Founding father of No.22 mentioned, “3D printed titanium has phenomenal structural properties. The flexibility to print inner assist constructions anyplace within the body offers us a stage of management over the trip high quality that has not been attainable earlier than.
“We’re in a position so as to add stiffness in excessive load areas like the underside bracket, dropouts, and head tube for little or no weight whereas enjoying with construction in tremendous element all through the body to make sure it delivers the trip high quality we’d like.”
Pricing and availability
There may be presently no pricing accessible for the Reactor Aero nevertheless with the usual Reactor frameset retailing for $6,499 and full builds ranging from $12,015, it can definitely be within the dream bike class for many. For these trying to get their palms on one, No.22 is anticipating to launch the Reactor Aero in 2025 with extra specifics to be introduced sooner or later.
