Defending champion Daniela Ryf won the women’s IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and set a new course record with an 8:46:46 finish. For the second year in a row, Ryf was riding a custom made Felt IA FRD reinforced by TeXtreme. Next to Ryf on the podium stood three-time Kona champion Mirinda Carfae, who also rode a Felt IA FRD. Carfrae won the 2013 and 2014 IRONMAN World Championship aboard the Felt IA FRD and this year’s win by Ryf, has given the Felt IA FRD four consecutive women’s IRONMAN World Championships.
TeXtreme technology is based on spreading tows (yarns) into very thin tapes, which enables reinforcements in [a bike frame’s] woven structure. TeXtreme’s developer, Oxeon, from Sweden adds that unidirectional tapes also offer the possibility for ‘weight savings that are unique compared to conventional reinforcements.’
Bikes with composite parts reinforced by TeXtreme carbon materials have over the recent years been successfully used to win stages and races in competitions such as the Tour de France, IRONMAN World Championships, Giro d’Italia, La Vuelta a España and several world championships.
“The unique material characteristics together with our knowledge in FEA analysis, lay-up optimization as well as the manufacturing and marketing support, position TeXtreme as the number one collaboration partner for achieving ultra-light products,” sad Andreas Martsman, VP – Marketing & Sales at Oxeon. “This past weekend’s win at Kona further strengthens this position.”
Oxeon argues that TeXtreme represents the next generation in state-of-the-art carbon fibre material, which has been broadly adopted by the bicycle industry. By weaving ultra-thin, flat spread tows instead of round yarns, TeXtreme is being used to create ‘ultra-lightweight, high-performance products’.
Oxeon adds that companies utilizing TeXtreme Technology achieve significant results in reducing weight while increasing stiffness and strength, in comparison to other carbon fibre materials.
Jeff Soucek, Director of R&D at Felt Bicycles commented on the company’s usage of TeXtreme. “We were looking for reduced weight on our frames, but still needed the same high properties of stiffness and strength. By using TeXtreme we succeeded in making frames that were lighter, as stiff, while actually increasing the impact durability.
“Because TeXtreme is so thin we could work with several plies to get the same thickness or less, resulting in significant improvements and a better riding experience.”
TeXtreme carbon fibre has been used throughout the bicycle market in frames, wheels, saddles, helmets and shoes for road cycling, mountain biking, time trial/triathlon, cyclocross and track racing. Alongside the use of TeXtreme in bicycles, other users can be found in Formula 1, the America’s Cup, NASCAR, Le Mans, Indy Car, ice hockey, golf, tennis, surf boards, table tennis, rowing shells, canoes, skis, snowboards, and various industrial and aerospace applications.
TeXtreme Spread Tow reinforcements are billed as the ultimate choice for making ultra-light composites. TeXtreme Technology is flexible and tow-size independent, which ‘enables development of optimized reinforcement solutions tailor-made for specific application needs’. Utilization of TeXtreme Spread Tow carbon fabrics and carbon UD tapes by manufacturers of advanced aerospace, industrial and sports products can result in 20-30% lighter composite parts. These can be produced with ‘improved mechanical properties and superior surface smoothness’.
TeXtreme is a registered trademark owned by Oxeon AB. Founded in 2003, Oxeon has established itself as a market leader in spread tow reinforcements with its products marketed under the TeXtreme brand name.
