The "buzz" around the media room during Interbike week was Delta 7's Arantix mountain bike. The hoopla stemmed not so much from the components it was spec'd out with or the amount of travel it possessed, but rather from what it is, or isn't, as the case may be.If you're thinking that the idea of an iso-truss frame may sound familiar, you would be correct. In fact, it isn't the first time its been seen, or not seen, at Interbike. Cyclingnews got the behind the scene story and photos back at Interbike 2004 when the Arantix was merely a prototype. Three years later, its now been made available to us through Delta 7 Sports.
From SOAR Communications Press Release:
PAYSON, Utah - November 14, 2007 - Delta 7 Sports, LLC today unveiled its Arantix™ Mountain Bike, the first bicycle to feature the patented IsoTruss® carbon fiber and Kevlar spider web-like open lattice tube design.
Advanced Composite Solutions, LLC (parent company of Delta 7 Sports), has been granted an exclusive, worldwide license by Brigham Young University to develop, produce and market products utilizing the IsoTruss technology and design. The Arantix is the first ACS product to utilize IsoTruss technology.
"It was imperative that we prove we could design and produce a reasonably priced marketable product using the IsoTruss technology and design, and that's what we've done with the Arantix Mountain Bike," said Jon Adams, president and CEO of Advanced Composite Solutions. "Not only is it one of the coolest and most unique looking bikes you'll ever see, but the IsoTruss structure of the tubing gives the Arantix frame an unparalleled strength to weight ratio. For that cycling enthusiast or weekend rider who wants the most unique, coolest-looking mountain bike on the planet - whether that's a complete bike or a frame that they can build out themselves - this is the right bike."
Arantix Information and Specifications
Each Arantix Mountain Bike frame takes approximately 300 hours to build, as Delta 7 Sports workers weave single carbon fiber strands in a precise manner and order to create the open lattice IsoTruss structure of each frame tube. Each bundle of carbon fiber strands is then constrained within a helical wrapping of Kevlar string designed to tightly bind the carbon fibers together before the tubes are baked at 255 degrees Fahrenheit for four hours. The ends of the baked tubes are then machined to specific measurements and diameters before being joined with molded carbon fiber lugs into a completed frame."In total, each completed Arantix frame is built with 1,672 linear feet of carbon fiber," said Tyler Evans, program manager of Delta 7 Sports. "That's longer than five and a half football fields, or by comparison, a single strand that long would reach to the top of the tallest building in the world, the Taipei 101 in Taiwan."
Delta 7 Sports is now taking orders for its custom, hand-built Arantix Mountain Bike, at prices starting at $11,995 (USD) in small, medium and large sizes. The company only plans to build/deliver 200 bikes in 2008.
Each complete Arantix Mountain Bike includes:
· An Arantix IsoTruss carbon composite frame,
· Fox F100 RLC front suspension,
· Complete Shimano XTR drivetrain ( i.e. shifters, brakes, crankset, cassette, chain, etc.),
· Shimano XTR wheels with Kenda Karma DTC tires,
· Crank Brothers Four Ti Egg Beaters pedals,
· RaceFace Next SL carbon fiber handlebar with two LizardSkins Lock-On grips,
· L.H. Thomson Masterpiece handlebar stem and seatpost,
· Chris King NoThreadSet headset,
· Selle Italiá Kit Carbonio saddle, and
· Complete LizardSkins Arantix frame skinset.
Individuals interested in custom-building their own mountain bike, can also order an Arantix Mountain Bike frame by itself from Delta 7 Sports for $6,995 (USD).
IsoTruss Technology and Design Overview
IsoTruss was developed at BYU under the direction of Civil Engineering Professor David W. Jensen (Director of the Center for Advanced Structural Composites).
IsoTruss open lattice structures are made up of three-dimensional (3-D) pyramid-shaped trusses formed by combining two-dimensional (2-D) trusses, such as the kind commonly used in architectural design. The pyramid-like structure of an IsoTruss lattice utilizes the well-known geometry of a triangle with two equal sides (an Isosceles Triangle) to create a form with a superior weight-to-strength ratio. Hence, the name IsoTruss comes from the "iso" in isosceles, while "truss" comes from the architectural design known as trusses.
The fusion of 2-D trusses into the 3-D pyramid-shaped forms found within an IsoTruss structure enables Delta 7 Sports to build bicycle frames that bend less, twist less (torsion) and flex less (axial stiffness) than metal bike frames of comparable weight. For additional information about IsoTruss, please visit http://www.isotruss.org/.
About Delta 7 Sports
Delta 7 Sports creates cutting-edge sports and athletics products by utilizing IsoTruss technology and designs. A division of Advanced Composite Solutions, Delta 7 Sports was formed in 2007. For more information, visit http://www.delta7sports.com/.
Arantix and Delta 7 Sports are trademarks of Delta 7 Sports, LLC. IsoTruss is a registered trademark of Brigham Young University. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Believe It or Not
When the folks at SOAR Communications first showed me the media kit for the Arantix [thanks Poppa P], and even after I had the opportunity to speak with Delta 7 Sports' Marketing Director, Lester Muranaka, I knew I was going to need to see and feel it for myself.
Delta 7's booth was located at the far reaches of the exposition floor. Those that stopped by were treated to not only a fully outfitted bike, but also to extra tubing and a spare frame. Although it looked as fragile as a sugary spun confectionery, the tubing easily held up to an individual's body weight [how many manufacturers would feel secure enough to let you step and stand on their tubing?]. The spare frame was also so ridiculously light that I was able to manage taking pictures of it even with a bum wing.
Like anything new and unconventional looking, the iso-truss design will take some getting used to, but its application to the world of cycling seems like a perfect fit. The strength and durability of the iso-truss makes it stronger and more durable than any continuous carbon tubing out there. In a bad mishap where a small crack could potentially propagate through continuous tubing, essentially weakening it, the iso-truss is able to withstand such defects because of its architecture [a crack or break in one triangular section of the truss does not necessarily affect the integrity of the adjoining sections].
The price point effectively takes out most of us, but if you could have a super light, extremely durable, and nearly indestructible frame, how much would you be willing to pay?
Photos: Leonard Basobas
3 comments:
Wow Len, thank you so much for this!
That is truly a work of art. Not just an artsy bike or a pretty bike or a concept bike. It is nothing short of a kinetic sculptural statement in metal. If I was riding that bike I would feel that I was riding art - not just an artistic paint job, etc.
When I first saw it I got that feeling I get when I'm inspired by another artist's work - all tingly like someone opened the trapdoor in my skull and blew cool fresh air on my brain. Great kinetic sculpture makes you think about form, motion, space and the medium (in this case metal) in a new way. Great art makes your brain grow.
Forgive me, my bike lovin' brothas and sistas, for the following statement but... this creation goes way beyond that which we call "bicycle"...
AND I WANT ONE!!!
The fact that it moves adds to its grace and beauty. The fact that you can actually ride it makes it divine. Thanks for the new gray matter Len.
"Dear Santa,...?"
Xx
Thanks K, and for everyone who stops by...please click to enlarge each photo to see the detail.
http://cozybeehive.blogspot.com/2008/01/isotruss-open-lattice-structure-for.html
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