3D printed steel frame (out of Germany)

merckxman · #1 02-13-2020, 11:25 AM

https://www.urwahnbikes.com/bike/steel-frame/

Elefantino · #2 02-13-2020, 11:37 AM

Have to admit that it looks cool...

bicycletricycle · #3 02-13-2020, 11:50 AM

I am pro seat tube, I used to have one of those crazy kestrals with no seat tube, it did look cool.

unterhausen · #4 02-13-2020, 11:53 AM

I like it. That's a lot of work. I started designing a lug, and I didn't really have the patience for it. I might get back to it sometime, I'm working with additive manufacturing now.

blantonator · #5 02-13-2020, 11:58 AM

any actual video of how they are making these.

mulp · #6 02-13-2020, 11:58 AM

Kind of looks like it flies against bike theory by removing the triangle and creating a trapezoid instead

robt57 · #7 02-13-2020, 12:09 PM

I would not be able to resist a test ride if one was in front of me...

unterhausen · #8 02-13-2020, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulp

Kind of looks like it flies against bike theory by removing the triangle and creating a trapezoid instead

double triangle is because of weight savings over a trapezoid. I'm not sure this bike has a problem with being too light. Do they give a weight?

BobO · #9 02-13-2020, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unterhausen

double triangle is because of weight savings over a trapezoid. I'm not sure this bike has a problem with being too light. Do they give a weight?

Wouldn't the joints in a trapezoid have to be rigid (or close to it) moment connections requiring a good deal of additional material?

Davist · #10 02-13-2020, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulp

Kind of looks like it flies against bike theory by removing the triangle and creating a trapezoid instead

In theory maybe it makes it "vertically compliant", though, right? Definitely a looker, I'd try it out..

madsciencenow · #11 02-13-2020, 12:47 PM

Cool from a technological perspective but less interesting for me as a prospective buyer. I also would not be able to resist throwing a leg over if given the opportunity.

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colker · #12 02-13-2020, 12:50 PM

BB looks awfully too tall. Other than that it looks good.

pbarry · #13 02-13-2020, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colker

BB looks awfully too tall. Other than that it looks good.

Right? Looks like 30mm-50mm BB drop. I wish them lottsa luck.

benb · #14 02-13-2020, 02:12 PM

I'd like to see a Y-foil/softride type bike if someone is going to make something crazy.

Is this bike UCI legal? Do you have to have a seat tube?

I'm not sure it's crazy enough if it's not UCI legal.

To a certain extent it's like why even tubes? Maybe just cause they always work out best I guess.. but what if you could use a beam with this technology?

Mark McM · #15 02-13-2020, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benb

Is this bike UCI legal? Do you have to have a seat tube?

I'm not sure it's crazy enough if it's not UCI legal.

Yes, you need a seat tube to be UCI compliant. Also, the tubes (including the seat stays) need to be within certain shape limits, and the seat stays have too big a bend in them for UCI regulations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by benb

To a certain extent it's like why even tubes? Maybe just cause they always work out best I guess.. but what if you could use a beam with this technology?

The reason for tubes is simple: Tubes provide the best stiffness & strength for combinded bending and torsion loads. While an I beam might have a lot of bending stiffness in one direction (vertical), they have poor bending stiffness in the other direction (horizontal), as well as poor torsional stiffness.

As far as 3D printed steel, I wonder if this is the best choice for a frame. Frames typically use work hardened or heat treated steels. I'm not sure that the types of steels suitable for 3D printing can be heat treated in the same was as the types of steels used in frame tubing.