Reynolds, one of the oldest companies in the bike business (established in 1898!) currently works in partnership with Taiwan’s Founder Land Co. to offer hydroformed tubes. Such tubes offer superior stiffness and strength whilst reducing fabrication costs.
At Taipei Cycle 2010 Reynolds and Founder Land showed the aluminium alloys suitable for hydroforming or custom extrusions. They are 6061 Al-Si-Mg, X-100 Aluminium-Lithium, and 7005 Al-Zn-Mg and come in butted varieties.
Reynolds latest foray into steel is the 953 – Mar-Aging Stainless Steel series.
The frame tube specialist claims that the strength-to-weight ratio of the 953 series is unprecedented, while offering very thin walls and ultra low weight. As well as, according to Reynolds, “The legendary ride of steel.”
by
Bike Europe
27 May 2010