High Performance Road Bikes: BMW Group DesignworksUSA partners with NeilPryde

Press Release:

Singapore, 11 August 2010. NeilPryde, the world’s leading brand of Windsurfing Sails and Rig Supplies, announces the launch of its two high performance road bikes. Developed in collaboration with DesignworksUSA, a global design consultancy and subsidiary of the BMW Group, Alize and Diablo marks an extension of the NeilPryde brand into the bike industry. The bikes will debut at one of Europe´s biggest cycling races, the Vattenfall Cyclassics 2010, Hamburg, Germany from 13 to 15 August.

DesignworksUSA brings its knowledge in creating premium designs for mobility related products from the automotive industry to aircrafts and yachts leveraging its global leadership in translating distinct brand values into compelling design solutions. “NeilPryde Bikes is a bold step forward, both in terms of the products’ design and the evolution of the NeilPryde brand, and we’re sure it will be a resounding success from both perspectives,” said Laurenz Schaffer, President, DesignworksUSA.

The Alize focuses on aerodynamic performance through optimized tube profiling and an extended Kamm tail. The changing aerofoil profile along the length of the tubes manages the airflow specific to the aerodynamic characteristics of each element – frame, forks, wheels and components. The Alize incorporates a progressive Kamm tail profile in the lower 1/3 of the down tube, with the extended trailing edge morphing into a squared-off surface, enabling a more efficient transition from the down tube to the seat tube. “Using a Computational Fluid Dynamic modeling system, we were able to create a design that tricks the airflow to remain laminar around the downtube, seattube and rear wheel,” said Magnus Aspegren, Director of DesignworksUSA’s Singapore Studio.

Together with its client, DesignworksUSA developed an exoskeleton design of continuous carbon fibres fully integrated into the monocoque front triangle for the Diablo. Stiffness ribs were also incorporated into strategic locations on the fork blades, chain and seat stays. The design created allows carbon fibres to run continuously through tube-joint-tube transitions, resulting in a frameset that has been optimised for its unique material characteristics. “We are extremely proud of the two bikes that reflect our brand essence and attitude,” said Michael Pryde, Group Sales and Distribution Manager at NeilPryde. “Our heritage in elegantly engineering winning products in the water sports arena is now expanded beautifully to the cycling world,” Pryde added.

*To see Diablo and Alize Specifications, please visit our discussion thread here.