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20 May 2008
BICYCLE BAR END
ABOUT THE DESIGN
"The bar end is an example of a fairly mundane object which I provided with an extraordinary and exciting form, and to my knowledge this form does not yet exist. Most racing cycles have these vertical extensions at the end of the handlebar, but they often have a very basic design. I think mine is more beautiful and comfortable to use. I wanted it to be lightweight, inexpensive, ergonomic and easy to produce.
"Computer drawings are an essential part of my work, so I always use CAD software to visualize my ideas. Properties such as stability are controlled by finite element analysis. The moulds used in producing the bar end were made with the help of Varinex Informatics Inc., applying a 3D print procedure. The tools are made of silicon, which reduces production costs and most of the supplementary work needed to finish the product. The pieces that have already been made are subject to continuous testing."
Speaking about Bicycle Bar End, jury member József Zalavári said:
"What pleases me is that the designer gave an everyday bicycle part such an extraordinary form. It has an appealing organic look to it, and its ergonomic shape can be gripped according to the rider’s own preference. By using carbon, even enthusiast amateur riders can enjoy the benefits of a light yet rigid handle bar end at reasonable cost."
Dimensions: length 116 mm, height 47 mm, width 42 mm
Weight: 70 g
Materials: epoxy resin (L160/HA 260s hardener) with carbon, fibre reinforcement
Techniques: 3D printing, silicone tooling, hand lay-up
Prize
One of twenty selected entries for the International Composites Design Competition, the travelling exhibition
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Gábor Nádasi (born 1981)
"Cycling has always been one of my favourite pastimes. When racing, however, I was frequently confronted with deficiencies in the component parts of bicycles. My experience thus led me to design and produce these parts myself. It soon became obvious that I had to use composite materials, because they are so easy to work with and because they have these extraordinary constructional possibilities.
"I wanted my products to be as original and reliable as possible, exploiting to the utmost the potential inherent in fibre-reinforced materials. Influenced by my study of the fine arts, I also tried to create beautiful objects, without compromising on their functionality.
"I started working with composites about 4 years ago. Since then I have completed numerous projects, most of them related to cycling in some way. I have mainly developed bicycle frames and a number of prototypes have already been successfully tested by different racers. But I also design simpler accessories, such as the bar end I submitted for this competition."
Dozsa György ut 66
1076 Budapest
Hungary
t: +36 1 413 04 13
f: +36 1 341 25 17
e: nadasi.gabor@gmail.com
ABOUT THE AWARD
The International Composites Design Competition salutes designs in which composite materials have been used to the best effect and in an intelligent and innovative manner. The competition was open to professional designers from all over the world: individual designers, design agencies and corporate designers. The entries were divided into two categories. The first category comprises products that were brought to market between 1 January 2003 and 1 September 2006. The second category comprises experimental yet production-feasible prototypes. The winner of each category will receive EUR 7,500.
Composite materials are no longer exclusively used for high-tech applications in aviation and space travel; they are also eminently suitable for everyday objects. Thanks to their unique properties (lightness, strength and rigidity), they are much favoured among designers. In addition, they make great savings in costs and energy, both in their manufacture and in their use. Depending on the types of composites used, they offer a high degree of freedom of form and texture, aspects which are appreciated above all by designers.
"The bar end is an example of a fairly mundane object which I provided with an extraordinary and exciting form, and to my knowledge this form does not yet exist. Most racing cycles have these vertical extensions at the end of the handlebar, but they often have a very basic design. I think mine is more beautiful and comfortable to use. I wanted it to be lightweight, inexpensive, ergonomic and easy to produce.
"Computer drawings are an essential part of my work, so I always use CAD software to visualize my ideas. Properties such as stability are controlled by finite element analysis. The moulds used in producing the bar end were made with the help of Varinex Informatics Inc., applying a 3D print procedure. The tools are made of silicon, which reduces production costs and most of the supplementary work needed to finish the product. The pieces that have already been made are subject to continuous testing."
Speaking about Bicycle Bar End, jury member József Zalavári said:
"What pleases me is that the designer gave an everyday bicycle part such an extraordinary form. It has an appealing organic look to it, and its ergonomic shape can be gripped according to the rider’s own preference. By using carbon, even enthusiast amateur riders can enjoy the benefits of a light yet rigid handle bar end at reasonable cost."
Dimensions: length 116 mm, height 47 mm, width 42 mm
Weight: 70 g
Materials: epoxy resin (L160/HA 260s hardener) with carbon, fibre reinforcement
Techniques: 3D printing, silicone tooling, hand lay-up
Prize
One of twenty selected entries for the International Composites Design Competition, the travelling exhibition
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Gábor Nádasi (born 1981)
"Cycling has always been one of my favourite pastimes. When racing, however, I was frequently confronted with deficiencies in the component parts of bicycles. My experience thus led me to design and produce these parts myself. It soon became obvious that I had to use composite materials, because they are so easy to work with and because they have these extraordinary constructional possibilities.
"I wanted my products to be as original and reliable as possible, exploiting to the utmost the potential inherent in fibre-reinforced materials. Influenced by my study of the fine arts, I also tried to create beautiful objects, without compromising on their functionality.
"I started working with composites about 4 years ago. Since then I have completed numerous projects, most of them related to cycling in some way. I have mainly developed bicycle frames and a number of prototypes have already been successfully tested by different racers. But I also design simpler accessories, such as the bar end I submitted for this competition."
Dozsa György ut 66
1076 Budapest
Hungary
t: +36 1 413 04 13
f: +36 1 341 25 17
e: nadasi.gabor@gmail.com
ABOUT THE AWARD
The International Composites Design Competition salutes designs in which composite materials have been used to the best effect and in an intelligent and innovative manner. The competition was open to professional designers from all over the world: individual designers, design agencies and corporate designers. The entries were divided into two categories. The first category comprises products that were brought to market between 1 January 2003 and 1 September 2006. The second category comprises experimental yet production-feasible prototypes. The winner of each category will receive EUR 7,500.
Composite materials are no longer exclusively used for high-tech applications in aviation and space travel; they are also eminently suitable for everyday objects. Thanks to their unique properties (lightness, strength and rigidity), they are much favoured among designers. In addition, they make great savings in costs and energy, both in their manufacture and in their use. Depending on the types of composites used, they offer a high degree of freedom of form and texture, aspects which are appreciated above all by designers.
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