Felt IA FRD reinforced by TeXtreme® contributes to Kona Ironman triumphs
Boras, Sweden, October 13th, 2016
Defending champion Daniela Ryf won the women’s Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA and set a new course record with a 8:46:46 finish. For the second year in a row, Ryf was riding a custom made IA FRD reinforced by TeXtreme® from Felt Bicycles. Ryf and her Felt IA FRD laid the ground for the victory through an extremely strong bike ride.
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.
Bikes with composite parts reinforced by TeXtreme® carbon fiber 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 No.1 collaboration partner for achieving ultra light products. This past weekend’s win at Kona further strengthens this position”, says Andreas Martsman, VP – Marketing & Sales of Oxeon AB.
TeXtreme® represents the next generation in state-of-the-art carbon fiber material and 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. Companies utilizing TeXtreme® Technology achieve significant results in reducing weight while increasing stiffness and strength, in comparison to other carbon fiber materials.
Jeff Soucek, Director of R&D of Felt Bicycles, on their 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 was 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 fiber fabrics have 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, 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 advanced aerospace applications.
About TeXtreme®
TeXtreme® Spread Tow reinforcements is 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 confirms that 20-30% lighter composite parts 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 quickly established itself as the market leader in Spread Tow reinforcements with its products marketed under the brand name TeXtreme®. For more information please visit www.textreme.com.
For press statements, please contact:
Andreas Martsman
VP – Marketing & Sales
Oxeon AB
Tel: +46 33 340 18 01
E-Mail: andreas.martsman@textreme.com
For other press inquiries, please contact:
Veronica Axelsson
Communications Manager
Oxeon AB
Tel: +46 33 340 18 09
E-Mail: veronica.axelsson@textreme.com
