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Lance Armstrong's competition bicycle designed
with COSMOSDesignSTAR
Company
Trek Bicycles |
Industry
Consumer |
Location
U.S.A. |
Product Used
COSMOSDesignSTAR™,
COSMOSWorks™ |
Type of Analysis
Linear Static
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More Details
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The new frame's geometry was fixed
by Armstrong's exact requirements - suited to fit
his measurements
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The Challenge
For the 2000 cycling season, including the punishing Tour de France,
engineers and designers at Trek approached the design of the new bike
as a fresh project. Armstrong's 1999 season had been completed on a
titanium bike but as Trek is the industry leader in carbon fibre production,
the decision was taken to produce a carbon fibre frame and fork set
for the bike Armstrong would use for the Tour's time-trial stages.
The Solution
The design team turned to testing engineer Chris Jones for FEA on the
frame using COSMOSDesignSTAR for the testing. As a result of the analysis,
the team carried out a minor modification to strengthen the drive side
rear dropout after a slight structural weakness was spotted. The creation
of a limited edition frame and fork set for sale to the public was a
necessity so that the race bike would be eligible for road racing.
Trek Bike had the United States Postal
Service time trial bicycle ready for Armstrong in just seven months.
This is the first time the company was able to complete this type of
project in so little time.
Summary and Metrics:
- Reduced turnaround time from 12-14 months to 7 months.
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