SwiftCarbon unveils lightweight frame

SwiftCarbon, a South African bicycle manufacturer, presented a sneak preview its 2017 product range which includes the  top-end Ultravox SSL frame design, reinforced by TeXtreme® carbon fiber fabrics. Using TeXtreme resulted in a 24% improvement in strength-to-weight ratio.

TeXtreme is the next-generation state-of-the-art carbon fiber material now being used in the bicycle industry; it is based on using Spread Tows instead of yarns to create ultra-light weight, high-performance products. Companies utilizing the TeXtreme Technology achieve significant results in minimizing weight while increasing rigidity, strength, etc., in comparison to other carbon fiber materials.

The unique TeXtreme Technology and its Spread Tow carbon fiber materials reduce the amount of material needed while still delivering the same strength. This increases the strength-to-weight ratio for the new Ultravox SSL by 24% and also allows SwiftCarbon to adapt the technology to full-carbon accessories like the headset and seat clamp, according to Mark Blewett, founder of SwiftCarbon.

In addition to the bicycle industry, current use of TeXtreme is prevalent in Formula 1, America’s Cup, NASCAR and Le Mans racing; in the manufacture of golf clubs, surfboards, tennis racquets, table tennis blades, rowing shells, skis, snowboards and ice hockey sticks; and in various industrial and advanced aerospace applications.

The Ultravox SSL will be available for the coming 2017 season.