develop a new bicycle
You would like to develop a new bicycle. We are the experts when it comes to the design and development of bicycles and e-bikes. From concept to production.
bike lovers
We are a bit crazy about bikes. Bikes are positive and fun. In our team we ride bikes every day to work and we love riding our mountain bikes, road bikes or gravel bikes.
It does not matter, eMTB’s, cargo bikes, e-bikes, city bikes or any other bike: we are excited a lot about bicycle design and are happy to help you forward with your idea to develop a new bicycle.
bike industry
We do not stop with concept design. Our team is highly experienced in the full process of bicycle design, from geometry and kinematic simulations, till integration and design of links, rockers, drop-outs and more.
We have contacts with all large component suppliers like SRAM, Shimano, Magura, Bosch, Yamaha, Fox and many others and have direct access to their technical CAD information.
Apart from that we have brought many bikes to production and have good contacts with frame builders both in Asia as well as in Europe, both in aluminum, steel as well as in carbon.
kick-off
It starts with a conversation, either online or at our studio. We want to get a clear picture of your plans so that we can provide you with the best advice and assistance. Not only about the bicycle of e-bike itself, but also about your plans for production, logistics and marketing. Once we have that, we can provide you with a quote.
Once the quote has been signed, we will start the project with a kick-off meeting and begin the process.
strategy
We start with a concise design strategy process in which we use tools from the worlds of psychology and design to quickly find direction in terms of technical solutions, market positioning, look & feel, ergonomics and product specifications.
This results in a 60-80 page document, with lots of visuals, background information, direction and tools. The conclusions of the design strategy provide answers to what the product will look like in terms of shapes, materials and colours, without a single sketch having been made. It also provides answers to how the bicycle or e-bike will function, with attention to ergonomics, weight, packaging, costs, technical solutions, limitations, production volume, market position, etc.
kinematics and geometry
During the design and development of bicycles we use simulation software to develop solutions for bike suspension, kinematics and geometry.
We do not only simulate, but also ride bikes, test with mules and make small iterations which help us design a geometry and kinematics that fits the bike we are developing.
concepts
Product innovation involves exploring, creating rapid prototypes, testing and improving, and doing things that no one has done before.
That is why, at the start of the project, we experiment with new solutions and mock-ups to quickly test ideas.
This often starts with quick sketches, developing ideas in rough CAD files, combining parts from existing products, and making 3D prints.
But we also make sketches that focus on finding the right design language and build mock-ups to test ergonomic principles.
development
The next big milestone is building a P1 prototype of the bicycle or e-bike. In order to get there, we need to go through an engineering process to translate the sketches into realistic 3D CAD models.
Manufacturing firms are unable to make parts based on sketches. Their machines need sophisticated 3D CAD models to manufacture prototyping parts.
Although the sketches of the concept have already a certain level of details, many technical solutions still need to be found, build and verified. A 3D model is the perfect tool to build, improve and test the product virtually.
prototypes
While creating the 3D CAD models, we constantly try to find solutions and test them. We can do many things in the virtual CAD model, such as checking for interference, moving parts towards each other and rotating them to check the kinematics.
Nevertheless, it is beneficial to be able to hold parts in your hand. That is why we make many interim 3D prints of the parts we design, to check them, view them in real life and gain inspiration for even better solutions that are simpler, stronger or cheaper later in the production process.
The prototype is used to carry out tests, implement improvements and gradually prepare the new bicycle or e-bike for production.
hire a specialist
Some design studio’s are specialized in IoT products. Or in public space products. We are not. So you better do not work with us if your project is in these fields.
Would you like to develop a new bicycle? Then we are the right partner for you.
location
Location doesn’t matter so much. We work with clients all over the work. With email, online meetings and phone we keep in touch from anywhere. During the project it is great to have a few face-to-face meetings, but we are close to the airport.
Most important is that you are convinced we are the specialist you are looking for.
price
Price matters. And you will most likely find that the offers you receive from your selected design agencies are very different in contents and budget. This could be because of a different scope that is offered, different size of design firm, lack of specialization and different quality level.
Trying to negotiate the price unreasonably might be counterproductive. It could result in downgrading the quality and dilute the service.
You are hiring a design firm for the quality of its output, so avoid letting cost be leading.
expectations
Agree on your needs and expectations before you start. Make sure that your objectives are strategic and fit your culture. Decide on how you would like to work together with the product design studio, and the level of risk you are ready to take.
Decide who is going to make decisions during the design process. Taking part in a design process is exciting and fun, however, fewer people make for a better decision making.