THE NATIONAL DANISH TRACK TEAM’S BIKE
2016-08-08
The official bike of the Danish Track Cycling Team for the Rio Summer Olympics is the new Electron Pro, a jewel of innovation, know-how and state-of-the-art technology.
The Electron Pro is the perfect blend between aerodynamics and stiffness. It’s the quintessence of track cycling. The objective? Help the riders in their quest for Gold.
FASTER AND STIFFER THAN EVER
Based on an applied methodology and an evolutionary research and development process, the Electron Pro was developed in a collaborative effort between Argon 18’s R&D team and the Danish Cycling Federation. Finite element analysis (FEA) was then used to simulate stiffness, and CFD analysis (Computational Fluid Dynamics) were used to gather complex aerodynamic data from 3D shapes.
In all, a total of 253 geometrical simulations in FEA and CFD were tested, which allowed the testing of shapes and relationships at critical points all over the bike. Looking to maintain the best possible ratio between drag area (CDA) and deflection under load, the prototype quickly evolved.
The result is a fast, stiff and light bike, which design is elegant and aggressive:
- Ultra-stiff head tube, bottom bracket, chain stay and dropouts for superior power transfer and excellent high-speed handling
- One-piece direct-mount handlebar directly attached to the fork for maximum stiffness
- Zero-wake handlebar integrated fully into the top tube to dramatically reduce drag
- Fork specifically shaped and tested to work with the font wheel and optimize aerodynamics
- Streamlined design using material only where it’s needed to perfectly balance stiffness and aerodynamics
“As a rider, being a part of the development of the bike has simply been fantastic. I feel involved and that gives a whole new feeling of commitment. I am confident that we will win medals in Rio.” –Rasmus Quaade, 2-time Danish National Champion, anchorman and most experienced rider
“After only two laps on the test bike, I knew that this was the best track bike I had ever ridden.” –Lasse Norman Hansen, London 2012 Olympic Games Omnium Gold Medalist
The Olympic track events will begin on August 11.
Click below to watch a time-lapse of the Electron Pro's assembly.
ABOUT THE DANISH NATIONAL TRACK CYCLING TEAM
Back in 2008, at the Beijing Summer Games, the national track team won the silver medal of the Men’s team pursuit. Then at the 2012 London Summer Games, Lasse Norman Hansen took the gold of the Men’s omnium with a stellar performance in this gruelling event. He will now have to defend his title in the omnium at the Rio Summer Olympics and prove once again he has the fighting spirit of a Champion.