Lighter mountain bikes

2001/04/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Patenteak/Asmakizunak

The mountain bike frames used in the competitions are usually made of carbon fiber and aluminum, which until now were the most suitable materials for this.

However, at the Terrassa School of Industrial Engineering (ETSEIT), according to the results of the project carried out by the student Carles Alvarez, the very high molecular weight polyethylene fiber is lighter (lighter than water) and stiffer than these two materials. Polyethylene fiber was marketed five years ago, although to date it has been mainly used for the manufacture of sports products (helmets, windsurfing boards, etc. ). ) has been the first time bike frames have been used.