Danish ceramic bearing and bicycle component manufacturer, CeramicSpeed, has announced the acquisition of Friction Facts, a US-based bicycle component testing laboratory. The testing lab’s contribution to ongoing R&D will support CeramicSpeed’s dedication to ‘delivering the world’s best drivetrain efficiency, in addition to strengthening an innovative approach to product development’.
A release from CeramicSpeed notes that the lab will play an important role in consolidating CeramicSpeed’s DNA as a ‘cutting-edge product innovator, an identity that the Danish manufacturer has proudly shaped since inception’.
Colorado-based bicycle component testing lab Friction Facts, billed as the world’s only drivetrain efficiency laboratory, has pioneered the field of friction testing. The facility has developed unique high-precision testing equipment with the ability to analyze friction in bearings, chains, pulley wheels, and chain lubes to ‘within a hundredth of a watt of accuracy’.
With this acquisition, CeramicSpeed adds that it becomes the only bicycle component manufacturer worldwide with the capability of in-house drivetrain efficiency testing. ‘The merger opens the path to a product development process that embraces advanced thinking derived from the most accurate technology available.’
“By bringing Friction Facts into the team, CeramicSpeed expands its very own in-house development and test lab, which comes as a natural fit with our goals and mission,” said Martin Banke, Managing Director of CeramicSpeed.
“This acquisition not only strengthens our commitment to providing the world’s fastest bearings, chains and drivetrain components but also supports our efforts to continuously refine high-quality products driven by data, innovation and expertise. The lab will dramatically streamline our development cycle by allowing us to test the efficiency of prototypes immediately after they are pulled from the 3D printers.”
Another key element of the merger is the appointment of Jason Smith to the CeramicSpeed team, as the company’s new Chief Technology Officer. As a founder of Friction Facts and one of the world’s leading experts on drivetrain efficiency, Smith said “I am truly excited about the future with CeramicSpeed. I look forward to bringing my knowledge of drivetrain efficiency and design to a very progressive team dedicated to creating the highest-quality and fastest performing products on the market.”
The addition of Jason Smith’s expertise is seen to represent a step towards assembling a comprehensive team of professionals for whom ‘pioneering thought is a prerequisite’. CeramicSpeed notes that with a ‘process democratized by technology, our innovations are achieved through encouraging the highest standards of expertise and professional equipment… With the addition of the Colorado-based Friction Facts test lab, CeramicSpeed bolsters its ability to deliver efficiency, quality and ground-breaking results within the cycling industry.’
CeramicSpeed was established in 2004 and is now one of the world’s leading manufacturers of ceramic bearing products and optimised racing chains for the cycling industry. The company has more than 15 years of experience in the development of its bearings, which ‘show extremely low friction and unmatched longevity’.
CeramicSpeed products are distributed in more than 35 countries, and it is the only bearing manufacturer to sponsor four World Tour Teams: Tinkoff, Astana Pro Team, Etixx – Quick-Step and Dimension Data for Qhubeka. CeramicSpeed is also supplier to some of the world’s most prestigious bicycle manufacturers.
The company also manufactures and sells bearings for industrial applications. All products are handmade in Denmark.
www.ceramicspeed.com
www.friction-facts.com
