Two new incarnations of the Hour Record-winning Bolide F HR which it hopes will propel the men’s and women’s Italian track cycling teams to victory in the team pursuit at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The men’s endurance squad, who are the reigning Olympic champions, have received 3D-printed scalmalloy versions of this revolutionary track bike – the Bolide F HR 3D - while the women’s endurance athletes will compete on a custom carbon model – the Bolide HR C.
The Bolide F HR 3D was initially developed for Filippo Ganna’s successful Hour Record attempt on Saturday 8th October 2022 where he set a new, still unsurpassed benchmark of 56.792km in Grenchen, Switzerland.
GROUND-BREAKING
The Bolide F HR 3D was the first and fastest high-performance 3D-printed bike ever produced, and these latest incarnations retain its key features, including:
1. AirStream technology
Developed in collaboration with the University of Adelaide and aerodynamics R&D partner NablaFlow, and inspired by the tubercules found on the flippers of humpback whales, a unique pattern of AeroNodes have been integrated onto the seat tube and seat post to reduce the complex vortexes generated by riders’ leg movements in order to improve airflow.
2. AirFoil sections
on the bottom bracket and wheel hubs are longer and slimmer to reduce the frontal area. These innovations take advantage of the UCI’s decision to remove its 3:1 rule and research found aspect ratios of 6:1, and even 8:1, performed significantly better than that original 3:1 benchmark.
3. Narrow forks and seat stays
Recent trends in aero frame design have seen a shift towards wide forks and seat stays to try and reduce the overall drag of bike and rider. Our research in this area, however, was not conclusive. We made the decision therefore, to adopt a more reliable combination of narrow forks and seat stays to minimise the weight of the frame in order to yield faster results.
4. Optimised handlebar geometry
was achieved as a result of multiple rounds of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) testing to minimise the
total drag of rider and bike. Again, we collaborated with NablaFlow to conduct countless simulations using their AeroCloud software - which runs on AWS, the preferred cloud solution of the FIA and many F1 teams – to determine the most efficient design.
CUTTING-EDGE 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY
Pinarello has led the way in 3D bicycle printing technology since 2015 and spent countless hours developing the Bolide F HR 3D’s innovative design. Each frame incorporates just five parts; with the front triangle comprising three pieces in addition to seat and chain stays.
Scalmalloy was selected for the men’s model as its properties allow it to excel under the increased forces and speed the male athletes produce, while the lighter carbon Bolide F HR C model will allow the female athletes to get up to speed in the fastest-possible time.
Both new models share the same geometries and dimensions as the original Bolide F HR 3D and are available in three standard frame sizes. Each one has been checked and approved by the UCI and are available for the general public and other teams to purchase.
The newly developed handlebar and extensions allow for precise positioning and optimal aero advantages.
