Robot Bikes has just announced itself with a splash, launching its new R160 bike frame.
The bike is a collaboration between several bike-riding scientists, the former Tech Ed Ed Haythornthwaite of Dirt Magazine and Dave Weagle too. The bike features carbon fibre tubes and 3D printed titanium lugs. Each frame will set you back a cool £4,400, but Ed from Robot Bike Co reckons that’s good value as it must be the most expensive bike in the world to make.
Robot Bike Co is using partner companies Renishaws, HiAETA and Altair (who all have bases in Bristol or its environs) to optimise and refine the 3D printing and design processes.
This slightly unsettling pic is one of titanium lugs, fresh from the – er – additive manufacturing (apparently that’s what they’re called) machine. We’ll stick to 3D printers instead, ta.
Robot Bike Co is hoping to offer something unique – a bespoke, carbon and titanium full-suspension bike. Says RBC’s Ed Haythornthwaite, “If you are trying to produce the very best frame it makes no sense to then only offer it in a small number of sizes when the people you are selling it to come in all shapes and sizes. Think of Robot Bike Co. as the Savile Row of the bike world.”
So there you have it. It might be a tad pricey, but a fully bespoke Savile Row suit is never cheap. You can get more details here.
Ok I’m impressed
A lugged frame – what will they think of next.
That is impressive. Will Islabike be doing then for 8 year olds?
I’ll take a lugged frame any day.
Hope they’re using waterproof glue to bond the tubes to the lugs
^^^^^course they bloomin’ are!
Yes please, this appeals on my many levels [and is exactly where I was thinking we’d be with additive at this stage].
Takes me back to this… 🙂
[img]http://www.quadroplay.co.uk/assets/img/pages/about2.png[/img]
Guess you can’t post pictures on this bit!
Harry the Spider – far too cheap for Islabikes!
I like that a lot!
Obviously a lot of work and design expertise has gone into the frame… Perhaps they should have hired someone with design expertise in logo design.
It seems that “best” doesn’t include any mechanical engineering in this case……..
You can get a fully bespoke frame from Nicolai for half that
Say carbon fibre and titanium, justify silly price tag.
Seems to be more a case of “because we can” with the 3D printing and materials than any other reason.
+1 to what Duir said, and add Ventana to that too.
Doesn’t tick any boxes for me…whopping price too!
“that’s good value as it must be the most expensive bike in the world to make.”
Wha….?
Reminds me my old titanium Dyna Tech frame…. 🙂
maxtorque said on May 30, 2016
It seems that “best” doesn’t include any mechanical engineering in this case……..
Not sure what you mean by this, Max.