This bike looks crazy! Weighing in at a mere 2.7 lbs for the frame using IsoTruss tubes. This is pretty darn cool technology, but isn’t coming cheap. The frameset (only 200 will be produced in 2008) will cost $6995. If you’ve got the coin, check this bike out! Simply amazing!
Here’s the word from Delta 7 Sports:
PAYSON, Utah – November 14, 2007 – Delta 7 Sports, LLC today unveiled its Arantix™ Mountain Bike, the first bicycle to feature the patented IsoTruss® carbon fiber and Kevlar spider web-like open lattice tube design.
With the IsoTruss technology and design, Delta 7 Sports has created one of the strongest and lightest mountain bikes in the world, with a “hard-tail” (no shock absorbers) frame that weighs approximately 2.7 pounds and sports the unique and extremely strong see-through IsoTruss design.
Advanced Composite Solutions, LLC (parent company of Delta 7 Sports), has been granted an exclusive, worldwide license by Brigham Young University to develop, produce and market products utilizing the IsoTruss technology and design. The Arantix is the first ACS product to utilize IsoTruss technology.
“It was imperative that we prove we could design and produce a reasonably priced marketable product using the IsoTruss technology and design, and that’s what we’ve done with the Arantix Mountain Bike,” said Jon Adams, president and CEO of Advanced Composite Solutions. “Not only is it one of the coolest and most unique looking bikes you’ll ever see, but the IsoTruss structure of the tubing gives the Arantix frame an unparalleled strength to weight ratio. For that cycling enthusiast or weekend rider who wants the most unique, coolest-looking mountain bike on the planet – whether that’s a complete bike or a frame that they can build out themselves – this is the right bike.”
Arantix Mountain Bike Information and Specifications
Each Arantix Mountain Bike frame takes approximately 300 hours to build, as Delta 7 Sports workers weave single carbon fiber strands in a precise manner and order to create the open lattice IsoTruss structure of each frame tube. Each bundle of carbon fiber strands is then constrained within a helical wrapping of Kevlar string designed to tightly bind the carbon fibers together before the tubes are baked at 255 degrees Fahrenheit for four hours. The ends of the baked tubes are then machined to specific measurements and diameters before being joined with molded carbon fiber lugs into a completed frame.
“In total, each completed Arantix frame is built with 1,672 linear feet of carbon fiber,” said Tyler Evans, program manager of Delta 7 Sports. “That’s longer than five and a half football fields, or by comparison, a single strand that long would reach to the top of the tallest building in the world, the Taipei 101 in Taiwan.”
Delta 7 Sports is now taking orders for its custom, hand-built Arantix Mountain Bike, at prices starting at $11,995 (USD) in small, medium and large sizes. The company only plans to build/deliver 200 bikes in 2008.
Each complete Arantix Mountain Bike includes:
- An Arantix IsoTruss carbon composite frame
- Fox F100 RLC front suspension
- Complete Shimano XTR drivetrain ( i.e. shifters, brakes, crankset, cassette, chain, etc.)
- Shimano XTR wheels with Kenda Karma DTC tires
- Crank Brothers Four Ti Egg Beaters pedals
- RaceFace Next SL carbon fiber handlebar with two LizardSkins Lock-On grips
- L.H. Thomson Masterpiece handlebar stem and seatpost
- Chris King NoThreadSet headset
- Selle Italiá Kit Carbonio saddle
- Complete LizardSkins Arantix frame skinset.
Individuals interested in custom-building their own mountain bike, can also order an Arantix Mountain Bike frame by itself from Delta 7 Sports for $6,995 (USD).
IsoTruss Technology and Design Overview
IsoTruss was developed at BYU under the direction of Civil Engineering Professor David W. Jensen (Director of the Center for Advanced Structural Composites).
IsoTruss open lattice structures are made up of three-dimensional (3-D) pyramid-shaped trusses formed by combining two-dimensional (2-D) trusses, such as the kind commonly used in architectural design. The pyramid-like structure of an IsoTruss lattice utilizes the well-known geometry of a triangle with two equal sides (an Isosceles Triangle) to create a form with a superior weight-to-strength ratio. Hence, the name IsoTruss comes from the “iso” in isosceles, while “truss” comes from the architectural design known as trusses.
The fusion of 2-D trusses into the 3-D pyramid-shaped forms found within an IsoTruss structure enables Delta 7 Sports to build bicycle frames that bend less, twist less (torsion) and flex less (axial stiffness) than metal bike frames of comparable weight. For additional information about IsoTruss, please visit www.isotruss.org.
About Delta 7 Sports
Delta 7 Sports creates cutting-edge sports and athletics products by utilizing IsoTruss technology and designs. A division of Advanced Composite Solutions, Delta 7 Sports was formed in 2007. For more information, visit www.delta7sports.com.
Arantix and Delta 7 Sports are trademarks of Delta 7 Sports, LLC. IsoTruss is a registered trademark of Brigham Young University. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Delta 7 Sports and Arantix Mountain Bike FAQ
(November 2007)
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Q: What is the Arantix Mountain Bike, and what makes it so unique?
A: The new Arantix Mountain Bike from Delta 7 Sports features a patented IsoTruss® carbon fiber and Kevlar spider web-like open lattice tube design to create a unique frame and a bike that is lighter and stronger than almost any other.
Q: What is IsoTruss?
A: IsoTruss open lattice structures are made up of three-dimensional (3-D) pyramid-shaped trusses formed by combining two-dimensional (2-D) trusses, such as the kind commonly used in architectural design. The pyramid-like structure of an IsoTruss lattice utilizes the well-known geometry of a triangle with two equal sides (an Isosceles Triangle) to create a form with a superior weight-to-strength ratio. Hence, the name IsoTruss comes from the “iso” in isosceles, while “truss” comes from the architectural design known as trusses.
Q: Where did the IsoTruss concept originate?
A: IsoTruss was developed at Brigham Young University under the direction of Civil Engineering Professor David W. Jensen (Director of the Center for Advanced Structural Composites). Advanced Composite Solutions, LLC (parent company of Delta 7 Sports), has been granted an exclusive, worldwide license by BYU to develop, produce and market products utilizing the IsoTruss technology and design.
Q: Are there any other commercial products that utilize IsoTruss technology?
A: No. The Arantix Mountain Bike is the first commercial product to utilize IsoTruss technology.
Q: Please describe the Arantix Mountain Bike.
A: The Arantix Mountain Bike is one of the strongest and lightest mountain bikes in the world, with a “hard-tail” (no shock absorbers) frame that weighs approximately 2.7 pounds and sports the unique and extremely strong see-through IsoTruss design.
Q: Is the IsoTruss frame fragile?
A: No. The open lattice construction of the IsoTruss members actually provides superior resilience and damage tolerance characteristics for the Arantix Mountain Bike.In fact, the Arantix Mountain Bike bends less, twists less (torsion) and flexes less (axial stiffness) than metal bike frames of comparable weight.
Q: How is the Arantix Mountain Bike made?
A: Each Arantix Mountain Bike is made by hand. Workers weave single carbon fiber strands in a precise manner and order to create the open lattice IsoTruss structure of each frame tube. Each bundle of carbon fiber strands is then constrained within a helical wrapping of Kevlar string designed to tightly bind the carbon fibers together before the tubes are baked at 255 degrees Fahrenheit for four hours. The ends of the baked tubes are then machined to specific measurements and diameters before being joined with molded carbon fiber lugs into a completed frame.
Q: How long does it take to make each Arantix Mountain Bike?
A: Approximately 300 hours.
Q: How many bikes will be produced?
A: Delta 7 Sports will Production will produce 200 Arantix Mountain Bikes in 2008, with production expected to grow to 1,000 frames produced per year by 2010.
Q: When will the bike be available?
A: The company expects to begin initial deliveries in the first quarter of 2008.
Q: When will orders be taken?
A: Immediately. Bikes (or frames) can be reserved with a $1,000 deposit.
Q: What is the price of the Arantix Mountain Bike?
A: Pricing for the complete bike starts at $11,995.00 (USD).
Q: What is the price of the Arantix Frame only?
A: Pricing for the frame only starts at $6,995 (USD).
Q: Will Delta 7 Sports have a “road bike?”
A: The company expects to launch a road bike in 2008.
Q: What size is the Arantix Mountain Bike?
A: The Arantix Mountain Bike is available in small, medium or large.
Q: Where is Delta 7 Sports located?
A: Delta 7 Sports is located in Payson, Utah, approximately 75 miles south of Salt Lake City.
Q: How can I learn more about Delta 7 Sports?
A: Please visit www.delta7sports.com. For more information about IsoTruss, please visit www.isotruss.org.
4 Comments
So… do they have a partnerhip with LendingTree.com? 🙂
Seriously though, looks like a sweet concept. Can’t wait to see the road bike.
I was unable to ride this bike at the Interbike Outdoor Demo, but I saw something that was a little concerning with this bike. I watched a rather dirty but otherwise OK rider walking his Arantix down the trail with a broken head tube. He had the bike over his shoulder and the fork and attached head tube was completely dangling.
I’m by no means saying this bike is going to fail, but it is new technology and it may take a little longer to dial everything in.
ALSO… I don’t know what this guy was doing on the bike, but he was in full spandex, so I’m guessing he wasn’t dropping it off the roof of the bathroom.
Evidence of the breakage… yeowch!
http://generation-outdoors.com/gobeta807/node/476
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