{"id":51884,"date":"2023-07-28T07:00:13","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T05:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=740696"},"modified":"2023-07-28T08:38:09","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T06:38:09","slug":"team-gb-to-debut-3d-printed-split-seatpost-and-updated-track-bike-at-2023-world-championships","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/team-gb-to-debut-3d-printed-split-seatpost-and-updated-track-bike-at-2023-world-championships\/","title":{"rendered":"Team GB to debut 3D-printed split seatpost and updated track bike at 2023 World Championships"},"content":{"rendered":"

British Cycling squad trialling new kit ahead of Paris 2024 Olympics <\/p>

By Simon von Bromley\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 28 July 2023 at 05:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

British Cycling has unveiled the Hope HB.T Paris, an updated version of its iconic track bike, the Hope HB.T.<\/p>\n

As well as updates to the frame and handlebars, the HB.T Paris features a striking, 3D-printed split seatpost made by Renishaw, a UK-based company that specialises in additive manufacturing (or 3D-printing<\/a>, as it\u2019s more commonly known).<\/p>\n

The updated track bike has been announced ahead of the upcoming 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships<\/a>, which are taking place in Glasgow next week.<\/p>\n

Per UCI rules, nations must register equipment and clothing with the UCI ahead of each Olympic Games.<\/p>\n

The UCI also requires nations to present this equipment for inspection at one of four events leading up to the Games.<\/p>\n

With the 2024 Paris Olympics<\/a> now less than a year away, the Glasgow World Championships is the last possible event to present equipment of inspection (according to the UCI\u2019s own Equipment Registration Procedure document<\/a>).<\/p>\n

As such, British Cycling says it is bringing a total of\u00a0 \u201c64 pieces of kit and equipment\u201d to Glasgow, which could see \u201cpotential use at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games\u201d.<\/p>\n

Renishaw 3D-printed split seatpost<\/h2>\n
\"Hope<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The updated Hope track bike will debut at the 2023 World Championships.<\/span><\/figcaption> SWPix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n
\n

The most eye-catching part of the updated bike is undoubtedly the split seatpost.<\/p>\n

While it appears to insert into the seat tube of the Hope carbon frame in a single aerofoil shape, it splits almost immediately above the seat clamp into two slim aerofoil shapes, leaving a gaping hole in the middle.<\/p>\n

These then extend diagonally backwards before abruptly kinking forwards again towards the saddle clamp, where the two aerofoils rejoin each other.<\/p>\n

\"Hope<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
As well as having a split design, each half angles backwards before kinking forwards sharply to rejoin at the saddle clamp.<\/span><\/figcaption> SWPix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Considering this is a bike designed for track racing, this design is almost certainly intended to reduce aerodynamic drag, rather than to improve compliance, for example.<\/p>\n

At a glance, it appears to be an extension of the bike\u2019s overall aerodynamic philosophy which considers the bike and rider as a system (rather than as separate component parts).<\/p>\n

The fork legs and seatstays, for example, are placed in line with the riders legs, and it appears this seatpost design may be trying to achieve the same thing.<\/p>\n

\"Hope<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The unusual seatpost design certainly chimes with the rest of the bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> SWPix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The design is somewhat reminiscent of the \u2018IsoFlow\u2019 seat tube hole on the latest Trek Madone SLR<\/a>, too.<\/p>\n

When that bike launched Trek claimed the hole helped accelerate airflow through it, reducing the bike\u2019s trailing low-pressure wake (and, in turn, reducing its drag). Could British Cycling be attempting something similar there, too?<\/p>\n

The cycling world has been treated to a number of unusual 3D-printed designs in recent years, from the original Hope HB.T<\/a> and its wide stance seat stays and dual crown fork, to Filippo Ganna\u2019s humpback whale-inspired Hour Record bike<\/a> and the Mythos Elix 3D-printed stem<\/a>. Wild new designs such as this suggest we\u2019ve only scratched the surface at what\u2019s possible with this (relatively) new manufacturing technology.<\/p>\n

A Hope HB.T in Paris<\/h2>\n
\"Hope<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Hope HB.T frameset has also been revised and updated to make it even faster than before.<\/span><\/figcaption> SWPix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Beyond the seatpost, the Hope frameset has also undergone a few notable revisions.<\/p>\n

As already noted, the Hope HB.T Paris retains the holistic aerodynamic philosophy of its predecessor, aiming to account for the presence of the rider on board it.<\/p>\n

The radically wide stance fork and seat stays remain, although it appears the 3D-printed parts at the tops of each have been updated to make them slimmer and more aerodynamic.<\/p>\n

\"Hope<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The new straight head tube appears very slim, and loses the hourglass shaping of the previous version.<\/span><\/figcaption> SWPix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The head tube has also been updated, with the Paris bike losing the hourglass shape of the original bike, in favour of an incredibly slim, straight design.<\/p>\n

Given the previous shape accommodated the frame\u2019s headset<\/a> bearings, it appears as the Hope HB.T is using a very small steerer tube and headset arrangement.<\/p>\n

The Hope HB.T Paris is pictured with Hope\u2019s own front and rear tubular track disc wheels, as well as a carbon fibre aero crankset and chainring combination.<\/p>\n

British Cycling has shown two versions \u2013 one with time trial-style aero extensions for pursuit events and one with a drop handlebar for sprint and bunch races.<\/p>\n

\"Hope<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The time trial extensions on the pursuit version of the bike have also seen an update.<\/span><\/figcaption> SWPix<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

As before, the aero extensions also appear to be 3D-printed, though they are of a wider and deeper (and, therefore, presumably also more aerodynamic) shape than before.<\/p>\n

The drop handlebars may also be 3D-printed, although as they\u2019re painted it\u2019s hard to be certain. Either way, these also use a fairly radical shape, with each arm of the bar rising outwards from the headtube to the drops.<\/p>\n

The front-on picture of the new drop handlebars also shows the Hope frame equipped with a more standard, one-piece seatpost.<\/p>\n

This could indicate the split-design post is only optimal for certain events, or for certain riders, and will have both types ready as available options.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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