d&i Awards Show Outstanding Design Power Text & Photos: Editorial Dept. eventy-four products have been selected for the Sinaugural Taipei Cycle d&i Awards, organized by TAITRA (Taiwan External Trade Development Council) and TBEA (Taiwan Bicycle Exporters’ Association) to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Taipei Cycle Show. Conceived and realized by iF International Forum Design Gmbh – iF Branch Office Taiwan, d&i provides a new platform for Taiwan’s bicycle industry to demonstrate its enor- mous innovation and outstanding design power to a broader audience. 207 entries in the four categories of bicycles, The judging panel from left: CHC GM Francois Liang, Johann Geiger, Martin Kessler, Hiroaki Tanaka, and Arder Chen. components accessories, clothing and equipment for cyclists were submitted to d&i 2012, from which In addition, five outstanding products will a panel of design and industry experts selected the be selected from the top 74 to be recognized with winning 74 based on the following criteria: level of Gold Awards at the official Awards Ceremony dur- innovation, design quality, choice of materials, envi- ing the Taipei Cycle Show on March 7th. All award- ronmental impact, range of function, load capacity, winning products will also be on display during the safety, universal design, and branding. show (March 7-10). OBO ARX Giant Manufacturing Co., Ltd. OBO ARX boasts a simple appearance, with hidden cables and an elegant streamlined frame shape. The integrated handlebar meets the demands of ergonomic comfort, and the hidden lock point maintains the simple and el- egant style and light weight. Additionally, the use of aluminum alloy ductility causes a slight distortion of the back triangle to achieve a damping effect to buffer shocks. Carbonheart Unitrade Cycle Inc. Carbonheart with titanium is designed to efficiently upgrade the anti-power loss system for X-country. There is no power loss during pedaling, and the handling is vastly improved as the rear wheel is kept firmly on the ground under all conditions to provide maximum braking, acceleration and corner- ing. With fewer rotating shafts, it will absorb high impacts, such as jumps, high speed and hill descent in rough terrains. 38 BMU 2012 Spring www.biketaiwan.com Special Reports MSC Blast MSC Bikes, S. L. This state of the art mountain bike with a 120mm jump stroke stands out in the crowd. The integrated front derailleur S3 in the same principal pivot has an axle of O17mm which provides impressive stability while pedaling. The continuous “carboflex” system maintains a more reactive suspen- sion without depriving the main pivot. All integrated pivots in the frame are embedded in a press fit bearing shell to enhance hardness and for better alignment. Additionally, postmount attachment of the brakes between chain and seat-stay directs brake force toward the much stronger chain-stay. Merida Big Nine Merida Industry Co., Ltd. The XC and marathon 29er Carbon MTB hardtail-frame has a “Flex-Stay” rear-frame and uses additional vibration absorbing “Flax” bio-fibers in the carbon composite material. The engineering target was to achieve the best compromise between contrary characteristics of extremely low frame weight with high torsional and lateral stiffness for direct power-transfer in combination with great riding comfort. Slightly curved main-tubes and seat- stays visualize muscular tension, and shifting cables are properly integrat- ed into the frame. Road Bike Hsu Sheng Bicycle Industrial Co., Ltd. This road bike features a tapered head tube design for better steering control, and PF30BB to make pedaling more efficient. The expanded seat tube increases BB stiffness and the flat seat absorbs vibrations. An asym- metrical chain design has also been applied to increase the chain stiffness of the drive side. D117075 material is used for the rear derailleur hanger to fortify gearshift stability. Ghost HTX 29 Lector Accell Asia Taiwan The goal in the development process of the HTX 29” Lector was to design the fastest mountain bike in the world. Varying fiber orientations on differ- ent frame positions allow designated stiffness values in specific areas. The result is a rear triangle which is absolutely flexible in the vertical direction, giving the rider a comfortable and energy saving ride, constantly maintain- ing the strength needed for the final spurt. The frame shape conveys the bike’s fast and lightweight character. Sharp edges accentuate the high- tech methods used in creating this bike. Velocite Helios Aero Velocite Tech Co., Ltd. The Velocite Helios Aero bike is built using true aerodynamic profiles, and leads in torsional stiffness (150 N/mm at the bottom bracket, EFBe method analog). Other qualities include an unpainted UD carbon finish, internal ca- ble routing, and full carbon construction including dropouts, bottom bracket shell, and head tube races. Race ready, the Helios Aero weighs from 6.3kg. www.biketaiwan.com 2012 Spring BMU 39 Special Reports Climax Tern Verge X10 Qing Yuan Feng Yi Composite Corp. Mobility Holdings, Limited The Climax road frame is inspired by the Super- The Verge X10 is the bike for city riders bike style. The bike body modeling is empha- looking for something really light and sized in the bike head and down tube, and the portable, featuring top quality compo- head resembles a motorcycle cowling, matching nents. By pairing a single front chain- the inverted triangle of the down tube to give rid- ring with an 11-36T cassette, the Verge ers the best wind resistance. X10 has a better chain line, faster shifts, lower weight, and eliminates overlap- ping gears. The Verge X10 folds in 10 seconds, and weighs only 9.7kg. Metro Dahon North America, Inc Concealed folding hinges within the Hydro formed frame streamline the Metro’s structural design, while the new Jiffold technology simpli- fies and quickens the folding process. With the aid of twin pull rod systems on the seat post, the seat height extends and contracts automati- cally, eliminating the time needed for indi- vidual adjustment. Weighing only 9 kg, the 16” Metro can be pulled from the trunk of a car or an apartment closet and easily assembled into a reliable means of bi- model transportation in only a matter of seconds. Ubike TopGun/Tforce/Ubike The Ubike Speedster Carbon Pro is the only carbon fiber sports-type fold- ing bike worldwide. The Speedster features hand-coated carbon fiber tech- nology, streamlined exterior design, and a light weight of only 7.9 kg. The Ubike also has a multi-national patented pressing linkage folding system. The folding device features a patented press – just lightly press for folding and easy opening. The folding hinge on the frame with the patented rein- forced bulge becomes a double support for greater fram estrength. The folding wheel holder is a patented directional positioning design; it is easy to operate and clean. Xero Carbon X9.9 Formula Engineering Inc. The Xero features a fashionable graphic design of fingerprints on cable rim surface to denote the hand-made wheel set and a two-color anodized hub. The Xero wheel system weighs 540 g, and is 50mm in height. The rim has 2 material features: aluminum brake wall allows faster cooling down effect with high temperature resistance, and carbon fiber composite makes use of aerodynamics while adding minimum weight onto the rim. The straight pull hub allows energy to be transferred directly from the hub to the rim. 40 BMU 2012 Spring www.biketaiwan.com Special Reports Craft XR VXD3 Tubeless Joy Industrial Co., Ltd. Alex Global Technology, Inc. Craft-XR is a high performance VXD3 Tubeless, AClass’ new tubeless pro wheel, wheelset designed for new genera- features patent eyelets, improved rim design, and tion Cross Country racing. The pat- easy assembling with standard components. No ented oval hub design provides low special nipples are required. The wind-resistance and fast drive re- newest MTB wheel, VXD3 action, which gives the rider safety is made of EXA alloy, giv- and maximum comfort. Streamlined ing it extra strength and hubs, new full carbon clincher rims, saving weight. The rim and Sapim CXSprint aero spokes uses welded joints for make up the Craft XR wheelset. better wheel balance. For the hub, 15 mm thru axle or quick-re- lease one can be used. Seamless Fork SCT tire Apro Tech Co., Ltd. Kenda Rubber Ind. Co., Ltd. This seamless fork is innovative, with ad- This sealant compatible tire is a cross vanced techniques used in processing. between tube type and UST type tires. Product safety is enhanced as compo- When used with a liquid sealant, SCT nents are not glued together, but rather tires form an air tight seal, similar to the form a seamless appearance, and prod- UST tire, but can be used on almost uct weight is reduced. The fork is also all bicycle rims. SCT tires have an ad- functional, with no danger of glued parts, ditional layer of material built into the innovative methods of producing molds, casing of the tire that allows it to be improved product quality and streamlined compatible with the various chemicals production involving advanced technol- in liquid sealants. However, this mate- ogy, reduced production costs, and better rial is thinner and lighter than its UST customer satisfaction. Furthermore, this counterpart. The benefits of SCT tires, seamless fork is eco-friendly with a short- when used with sealant, include allow- ened production process that reduces ing the rider to use lower air pressure materials and saves energy, and safe as as well as to take full advantage of the there is no incorrect tire location problem liquid sealant to seal up most punctures and no glue, preventing degumming and or cuts. adverse bonding. JPTR000-005 Bike Protectors Chia Cherne Industry The bike protectors include the chain-stay protector, rotor cover, cas- sette cover and chain-wheel cover, which can be used for road bikes and mountain bikes.