New York State primarily based 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 present race bike the Reactor with the brand new Aero model present process computational fluid dynamic (CFD) evaluation through the design course of. At the date of the bike’s announcement, it’s but to be certified in a wind tunnel, nevertheless No.22 has confirmed that this might be going down forward of the bike’s industrial launch in 2025.
Based on the outcomes of the finalised frameset’s CFD simulations, the model says the Reactor Aero affords round a 30-40% aerodynamic drag discount over the model’s versatile all-road bike the Aurora.
The Reactor Aero, though clear in its intentions as an all-out velocity machine, has saved up with present street bike developments with room for as much as 34mm tyres to be fitted. This goals to present riders the choice to suit some extra forgiving or extra adventurous tyres.
But it was not simply aerodynamics that No.22 appeared 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 possible make the Reactor Aero frameset essentially the most environment friendly by way of energy switch of any fabricated from 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 have been additionally constructed from the bottom as much as assist mood drivetrain stiffness with the legendary journey high quality titanium is understood for.”
The prototype occurring show on the MADE bike present from 23-25 August is a totally 3D printed body, manufactured from Grade 5 titanium powder. The solely exception to this throughout the entire frameset is the seat put up. This deviates away from titanium and favours carbon fibre very like the usual Reactor. The seat tube is an built-in seat put up (ISP) that options an aerodynamic profile in line with the remainder of the frameset and has been co-developed and produced by July Bicycles.
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The closing model of the Reactor Aero that might be out there 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 manner the manufacturers is ready to “utilise their many years of experience leading to tighter controls over high quality, tolerances, and finishes.”
In a press launch forward of the bike’s launch, Bryce Gracey, a Co-Founder of No.22 mentioned, “3D printed titanium has phenomenal structural properties. The skill to print inner assist constructions wherever within the body offers us a stage of management over the journey high quality that has not been doable earlier than.
“We are 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 taking part in with construction in fantastic element all through the body to make sure it delivers the journey high quality we want.”
Pricing and availability
There is at present no pricing out there for the Reactor Aero nevertheless with the usual Reactor frameset retailing for $6,499 and full builds ranging from $12,015, it would actually be within the dream bike class for many. For these seeking 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.