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The SOLID 3D Printed Bike
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3D Printed Handlebars
With integrated electronic shifters and haptic feedback
If there is one mode of transport that one associates with Portland it is the push bicycle, the 29th most populous city in the US has the highest percentage of bike commuters in the country. To put into perspective of how that 6.1% using 319 miles of dedicated bike paths compares to the rest of the States; the percentage is almost double that of the next in line, neighbouring Seattle.
The importance of the bicycle in Portland and the wider state of Oregon is evident in the enthusiasm that goes into the Oregon Manifest Project – a platform that brings together design firms and bicycle manufacturers to develop the ultimate urban bike and increase that percentage even further.
This year’s Portland entry to this year’s bike design entry comes with a 3D printed twist. The bike, called SOLID, was designed by Ti Cycles’ Dave Levy and as well as some custom-made components, contains some titanium 3D printed parts produced by Oregon-based bureau i3DMFG.
Ti Cycles and i3DMFG are producing the bike and award-winning design consultancy INDUSTRY are making the bike smart, complete with Bluetooth and a city app in order to make the bike a true 21st century urban tool.
The smart technology, which includes haptic feedback handlebars that buzz when you are approaching a turn so you can keep your eyes on the road rather than keep glancing at your smartphone gps system, is all housed along with all wires, shifters and brake cables in the DMLS frame.
The 3D Printed titanium parts of SOLID's bike are similar to that of the parts built by Renishaw for Chris Williams' Empire Cycles, which, to fit into the build area, was split into several parts before being welded together. Due to the build area of i3DMFG's EOS DMLS machines it is likely that the SOLID bike went through a similar process.
The concept was a passion project for all parties, many of INDUSTRY’s staff bike to their Portland studio and took on the project at weekends and after billable projects were completed.
Should SOLID win the competition, you can vote here, renowned bicycle brand Fuji Bikes will take the bike into production.
