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4/2/2019 8:42am
saw this in the old promotions inbox from trek. vague, but some kind of woven something-or-other, it's green in color and "matters." are they hinting at some kind of plant-based fiber construction? i have no idea at all, just figure that's what they're getting at. 17 days and counting i guess.
if you want to know first, you have to give up your email address and answer a question - https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/everything-else-is-history/
porsche has been messing w/ it a bit in non-performance parts https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a25776025/porsche-natural-fibe…
if you want to know first, you have to give up your email address and answer a question - https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/everything-else-is-history/
porsche has been messing w/ it a bit in non-performance parts https://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a25776025/porsche-natural-fibe…
And it costs more than CF.
Ouch. like we need to pay more for bicycles as it is.
One can observe that the tensile strength of the flax yarns (72±7 MPa) is significantly higher than the one of the hemp yarns (45±5 MPa) and this for equivalent yarn fineness and torque values. A ratio of 1.6 is observed. This is due to the fact that more ligneous residues are part of the yarn structure.
Will be interesting to see how it turns out with Treks resources.
https://hempindustrydaily.com/federal-appeals-court-review-idaho-hemp-s…
Does the release date ring a bell to anyone? My assumption was that this would be debuted on a road bike, but the only road race on March 19 is the last day of Tirreno-Adriatico, and the next big race would be Milan-San Remo, which would be a big deal for a factory team co-sponsored by an Italian coffee produced. The only other race soon after that is EWS #1, but I doubt they would debut a new tech on an enduro bike.
the "this one matters more" claim in their tease is what really made me think it had some sort of environmental advantage. some of the wiki stuff i sort of barely understood seemed to imply there were ways to make it more eco-friendly (that Tang-Lau method?). i'm way out of my league w/ any of this stuff though.
to claim kevlar is "cycling's biggest change..." seems like a stretch since it's been used in various sports equipment for so long, doesn't it?
i'd agree w/ your hunch about this being launched in the road world too. only 16 days left now haha
kevlar is not enviro-friendly. I think that's last year's tech.
And of course I could be completley wrong and this could be some type of flynit material for new lightweight shoes or some shit....
and @stoic_machine, LOL/bummer if it's just materials for shoes.
Graphene made huge impact in science some 15 years ago when it was first discovered as it was first pure 2D material, before that 2D materials were assumed to only exist on substrates. Guys who discovered graphene were also awarded fastest Nobel prize ever, only 5 or 6 years after the discovery when everyone was saying this material will change the world without any proofs, 10 years after that price there is still no proof about changing the world
About the strength of graphene, if you would somehow be able to make each part of the bike from layers of graphene - think how carbon frames are made from layers that are basically held together by epoxy - but then each layer would be actually one complete molecule, I believe such frame would last forever... I also think we are decades if not centuries from having such technology, last time I checked they were able to make graphene flakes the size of milimeters...
From what I gather, it's more of an additive to existing carbon fibre that increases strength-to-weight ratios. To me, this would be an easy transition for manufacturers because you get to keep your tooling/knowledge/modelling, but you are using a stronger and lighter material.
I learned that carbon fiber products are actually made up mostly of resins (or at most around a 1:1), not the actual fibers. Additionally, if you are discussing the environmental implications of CF products as a whole, it is the resin that is more caustic to make, requires more natural resources, more caustic to use (from a human health standpoint), and is generally what makes CF products difficult to recycle. The fiber strands can *in theory* be recycled, but how do you unbind them from the resin at reasonable cost? a question that has been around for a long time.
Quick summary of what I discovered:
Due to the fact it is organic it would be very difficult to guarantee its properties to the levels required in the composite industry; varying diameter throughout its length as an example.
Secondly because of its hydroscopic properties it requires extensive conditioning to achieve the mechanical properties stated above; around 8 hours at 60 degrees. Further this issue and relating back to point one as soon as it leaves the oven it will instantly begin absorbing moisture, not impossible to work with but again making the manufacturing process more complex.
So not impossible but it would need a fine tuned manufacturing process and strict QC. If it was to be used I would expect it to be used instead of the final bixial plies for its impact resistance properties.
What if they are changing helmet technology by adding a third/fourth layer to the helmet structure? One could have a hard shell, then perhaps a thinner, multi impact foam layer, that could anchor a MIPS layer, that would act against a final, replaceable inner layer that could be made of a woven or molded natural fiber. Replace it weekly if you toss your helmet into the car a lot. Replace after every minor crash. But the expensive and stylish structure of the helmet could last for years.
here's the full press release
Trek and Bontrager's new helmet technology disrupts safety standards
[Waterloo, WI] — Trek and Bontrager have unveiled a groundbreaking helmet technology called WaveCel, which is proven to be up to 48x more effective than standard EPS foam at preventing concussions from common cycling accidents.*
WaveCel is a collapsible cellular material that lines the inside of Bontrager WaveCel helmets. It was developed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steve Madey and biomechanical engineer Dr. Michael Bottlang, who have collaborated for the past 25 years and pioneered advances in fracture care, thoracic and pelvic trauma, and head injury prevention.
The creation of Bontrager WaveCel helmets is the result of a four-year partnership between Drs. Madey and Bottlang and Trek and Bontrager's Research & Design teams.
Unlike a standard foam helmet, which is designed to protect against direct impacts, WaveCel accounts for how most cycling accidents actually happen—ungracefully, with twists, turns, and angled impacts.
WaveCel absorbs energy in multiple ways. On impact, the layers of the WaveCel material move independently and flex until the cell walls crumple and then glide, actively absorbing direct and rotational energy and redirecting it away from your head.
This three-step change in material structure—flex, crumple, glide—is remarkably effective at dispersing the energy from an impact. Nearly 99 times out of 100, WaveCel can help prevent concussions from common cycling accidents.*
"We are cycling enthusiasts on a mission to help more people enjoy the benefits of biking and to do that with the most advanced protection possible,” said Tony White, lead engineer on the project. “WaveCel represents a significant leap forward for all types of riders, and we are proud that this technology is exclusively available in Bontrager helmets.”
Every model in the all-new Bontrager WaveCel helmet lineup received the highest marks in Virginia Tech's five-star ranking.
"For nearly a decade, we have been testing and rating helmets across industries to determine the products that will best reduce head injury risk," said Megan Bland, a doctoral student and graduate research assistant from Virginia Tech. "Helmets that receive higher ratings offer considerably more protection compared to other popular helmets on the market."
WaveCel is a major innovation in a category that has remained largely unchanged in 30 years, one that underscores Trek's commitment to making cycling safer for every rider.
“We're out to change the world by getting more people on bikes, and we're committed to making riding safer and more accessible for everyone,” said Trek President John Burke. “WaveCel is the most advanced helmet technology ever designed, and these helmets are a big step toward making riding a safer, more enjoyable experience for everyone.”
Bontrager WaveCel helmets are initially being offered in four models:
XXX WaveCel Road Helmet ($299.99)
Blaze WaveCel MTB Helmet ($299.99)
Specter WaveCel Road Helmet ($149.99)
Charge WaveCel Commuter Helmet ($149.99)
WaveCel is available exclusively in Bontrager helmets sold online and through authorized Trek and Bontrager retailers. For more information, visit trekbikes.com/wavecel and follow Trek on social media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Read the Full Story of WaveCel
http://trek.scene7.com/is/content/TrekBicycleProducts/WaveCel_Whitepape…
Post a reply to: Is Trek hinting at a natural fiber construction? (EDIT: Nope, it's WaveCel helmet technology)