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Revel Bikes introduces the new Rodeo – the world’s first fully 3D Printed Downhill Bike

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Revel Rodeo is the world's first-ever fully 3D printed downhill bike
Revel Rodeo is the world’s first-ever fully 3D printed downhill bike/Source: Revel Bikes

Revel Bikes, a bike company based in the United States, has unveiled what it claims to be the world’s first fully 3D printed downhill bike. It is a full suspension mountain bike that is 3D printed from composite materials and uses the CBF suspension platform.

This is a concept bike that demonstrates what is possible in today’s additive manufacturing and bicycle industries. This bike is not for sale, but Revel wanted to show off what its team has been up to because this stuff is exciting!

Revel Rodeo- The fully 3D Printed downhill bike

Revel Rodeo is a fully 3D printed downhill bike
Revel Rodeo is a fully 3D printed downhill bike/Source: Revel Bikes

Revel is no stranger to experimenting with and pushing the limits of carbon fibre, having used aerospace engineering techniques to develop the world’s first fully recyclable and environmentally responsible method of producing a carbon wheelset using thermoplastics. However, thermoplastics are not new to the bicycle industry, having been used on the GT STS throughout the 1990s.

Revel, on the other hand, has taken the material a step further by collaborating with Arevo Inc, a company that has already brought a functional 3D printed bike to market. Revel, on the other hand, saw this collaboration as an opportunity to push the envelope.

Introducing Revel Rodeo/Source: Revel Bikes

As of now, 3D printing a downhill frame is an ambitious project because these bikes are subjected to the most abuse. Though the reason for the creation of a downhill bike is so that the brand can apply what they’ve learned to enduro and trail bikes, having created something that can withstand the rigours of the harshest riding possible.

While this technology is still in its early stages, it represents a more efficient and cost-effective method of prototyping potential bikes, as well as improving development processes for brands, safer conditions in manufacturing facilities, significant environmental benefits, and greater customisation for customers.

The Future in 3D

Revel Rodeo is a 3D printed carbon mountain bike
Revel Rodeo is a 3D printed carbon mountain bike/Source: Revel Bikes

Revel has been involved in this project for a long time, and it believes that the benefits of using 3D printing could mean significantly improved prototyping and development processes for bike brands, safer conditions in manufacturing facilities, significant environmental benefits, and greater customization for the rider at lower costs.

Revel believes that this method of frame production could be the future of carbon bicycle manufacturing, and the Rodeo is proof that this is a real possibility that, with continued technological advancements, could become more of a reality for practical, low-cost full suspension mountain bikes. A 3D printed carbon mountain bike is feasible, and with further development, this thermoplastic composite material may even be fully recyclable.

This technology is still too new to bring this bike to the masses for the time being. The entire process is extremely time and energy consuming, not to mention prohibitively expensive, and bringing the Rodeo to production at this time is not realistic. However, as advances in additive manufacturing and thermoplastic technology continue, the possibility of mountain bikes like this reaching the market becomes more realistic.


About Manufactur3D Magazine: Manufactur3D is an online magazine on 3D Printing. Visit our Global News page for more updates on Global 3D Printing News. To stay up-to-date about the latest happenings in the 3D printing world, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Manufactur3D is an Indian Online 3D Printing Media Platform that reports on the latest news, insights and analysis from the Indian and the Global 3D Printing Industry.
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