![]() The lack of a mold opens up all sorts of customization options when it comes to frame sizing and geometry. The filament is fed through a six-axis robotic arm, where it's heated up by a laser, and then compacted by a roller while it's laid down in the pre-programmed pattern. What sets Arevo's methods apart is the fact that they're 3D printing the frames, building them one layer at a time, rather than using a mold. It's worth mentioning the use of thermoplastic isn't a new concept in the mountain bike world – GT was using the stuff in the mid- to late '90s, and more recently Guerrilla Gravity started using it for their frames, while several companies including Revel, Chris King, and Evil, have worked with CSS Composites to created thermoplastic rims. Creating a carbon fiber frame is traditionally a very labor intensive process, and an expensive mold must first be created for each frame size.īring in some thermoplastic, lasers, and robots and the amount of hand labor required during manufacturing dramatically decreases. Putting aside Arevo's odd history and and ongoing hurdles, the potential for a 3D printed thermoplastic bike is very intriguing. F1's Fernando Alonso even makes an appearance in this story – his Kimoa brand released an e-bike manufactured by Arevo at the Miami Grand Prix last year.Īs a final twist to the tale of Arevo, the CIA, or rather In-Q-Tel, the CIA's venture capital firm, is one of the investors in the company. ![]() That was followed up by the Mishima lounge chair, which does seem like it's available, assuming you don't mind waiting 14 weeks and paying over $5,000 for one. ![]() The multiple long shipping delays that were exacerbated by Covid didn't help things either.Īrevo also launched the Scotsman All-Carbon Fiber Scooter on Indiegogo, although once again comments for that campaign are filled with angry backers frustrated at the ongoing delays and lack of updates. If the name sounds familiar, Arevo is the company behind the Superstrata, the crowd-funded road bike that was billed as the “world's first 3D-printed custom unibody carbon fiber composite bike.” The campaign was wildly successful, raising over $7 million USD, although the reception to the bikes once backers finally received them was decidedly lukewarm – the weight and overall finish of the Superstrata didn't live up to the lofty claims. Adam Miller, Revel's CEO, has an appetite for new manufacturing techniques, and in this case it was Arevo, a Silicon Valley-based company that's focused on implementing futuristic ways of making composites that grabbed his attention. With the basics of the DH bike in place, the next step was deciding how to manufacture it. It's more of a proof of concept than anything else, and if the bike went into production as it's shown now the price would be so high that only the Musks and Zuckerbergs of the world would be able to afford it. ![]() Keen to see his CBF suspension design applied to a composite bike, Canfield came up with the geometry figures and kinematics for the Rodeo.īefore going further, it needs to be mentioned that the Revel Rodeo is still in the very early stages of development. The idea for the bike first arose during Revel's early days, when Chris Canfield was working on the suspension layout for the trail bikes. The fact that Revel didn't dive headfirst into the extra-long and slack pool isn't a bad thing – the bikes have received plenty of praise for their quick handling and excellent pedaling manners – it just makes Revel's announcement that they've been working on a 3D printed downhill bike a little more surprising. Revel Bikes made their debut back in 2019, and in the years since the brand has rolled out several new models, all situated on the slightly more conservative side of the geometry spectrum.
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