The frame of Voiroo Zero bicycle fasten on rivets

This design for bicycle frame, commonly used in the aeronautical field, offers a good weight-to-rigidity ratio. TrixonLab plans to build the Voiroo Zero to order and will offer it as a frame weighs 1.65 kg only, in one of two complete bike assemblies.

Italy’s Albaviation is in the business of manufacturing small aircraft, along with parts for them. What happens when the company’s TrixonLab division decides to build a hard tail mountain bike? With its riveted sheet aluminum construction, the Zero’s frame is pretty reminiscent of a retro airplane. According to its creators, however, there’s more to the design than just unique looks.

Using a CNC system, the main components of the frame are first cut from sheets of 0.6 to 0.8 mm aluminium – some smaller bits are made from thicker sheets. The resulting flat pieces of metal are subsequently folded and join with rivets. Giorgio Mannozzi from TrixonLab told that this design, commonly used in the aeronautical field, offers a good weight-to-rigidity ratio. “The box structure allows us to have a monocoque, a single structure without specific weaknesses” he said. “On an equal weight (tube structure vs. box structure), the box structure allows us to have greater rigidity and especially robustness”. Additionally, there are no welds in the bicycle frame, which are a structurally weak point on traditional tube-based bikes.

The Zero is the first model in TrixonLab’s planned Voiroo bicycle line. Other models in development include road and urban bikes.

Look in detail http://trixonlab.blogspot.com