Post by Mgoose on Aug 16, 2013 22:43:07 GMT -5
New bike development is a multi-stage process and some stages are more fun than others. As you may have seen in the media over the past few days, Niner is hard at work, putting the finishing touches on the next generation of WFO 9 frames, which will be released in final form at Interbike and Eurobike. (yes, we will have the new WFO 9 at Interbike's OutDoor Demo to test ride!)
Not many people know this, but Niner has one of the most robust testing programs in the industry. We take a three pronged approach:
1. Finite Element Analysis: we use highly specialized software to stress our frame designs before we move to a physical model. This allows us to try every variation we can think of without the extremely time consuming process of developing a physical model.
2. Mechanical Testing: both in-house and independent testing programs exist for every new Niner, with our standard being to exceed CEN standards by a wide margin on all products. Not only do we comply with international standards, we design and implement our own tests specific to 29ers and bigger wheels - these tests are proprietary to Niner.
3. Real-world ride testing: we've talked in the past about the first two steps, but haven't shared much detail on this part of the process, until now...
Goals of a ride testing program:
1. Verification of geometry and frame detail choices:
When we design a new Niner, we build several versions of the frame - this enables us to evaluate choices like chain stay length, head angle and bottom bracket height in real world conditions. As an example, there has been a strong push for shorter and shorter chain stays across the industry - this does create a more playful platform, but it also changes the high speed stability of the bike. Our ride testing helps us to find the best chain stay length in the range of possibilities that fits within our award winning Niner geometry standards.
2. Verification of component choices / compatibility
One of the most challenging parts of frame design is optimizing it for component compatibility. A great example today is the advent of 1x drivetrains. These amazing drivetrains enable us to drop front derailleur mounts entirely, but many of our customers prefer to run a double or a single chainring. We finalize choices about compatibility vs. long term component availability in this phase of testing.
3. Long term durability testing
Finally, we look at long term durability. Our test frames see huge miles over many months before release to our dealers. We check tube strength, watch for unusual fatigue, bearing wear and tear, cable rub and of course, frame integrity, hardware durability.
Who are our test riders?
Does the frame work with most intended component choices? Does it have proper tire clearance? Is the shock tune dialed? These can't really be answered by a machine - the best feedback comes from a crew of great testers - all of whom fill out detailed reports after every ride. We ask them questions about trail conditions, terrain, set up (shock pressures, tire pressures) throughout the process. This is the hard part of being a ride tester - you have homework after every single ride.
We use both elite riders and average-Joe riders in our program - elite riders have personal mechanics and resources that are not available to most of us - we think it is important that our bikes work for both rider types. We have riders who weigh 350lbs and riders who are pro racers who weigh under 135 lbs. We also have test riders from within our partner companies - the makers of our suspension, tires and more - they help us to get our bikes dialed for upcoming components. All together, this crew spans a wide range of abilities and physical characteristics, making sure Niner bikes benefit from feedback at every level.
Most recently, we've been testing the new WFO 9. Due to be released in the autumn, this bike is the next Niner to receive an airforming upgrade. While we aren't releasing details yet, the bike will be lower, slacker and have shorter stays than the previous version all choices we have finalized in the ride testing process. We cant wait for you to try the most gravity-specific bike in the Niner stable yet.
Check out the Niner Facebook page for full galleries of action at the Winter Park Enduro World Series event - two of our test riders took part in this on the prototypes as a part of the testing program. Also check out the coverage and interviews on PinkBike and VitalMTB for more details.
Not many people know this, but Niner has one of the most robust testing programs in the industry. We take a three pronged approach:
1. Finite Element Analysis: we use highly specialized software to stress our frame designs before we move to a physical model. This allows us to try every variation we can think of without the extremely time consuming process of developing a physical model.
2. Mechanical Testing: both in-house and independent testing programs exist for every new Niner, with our standard being to exceed CEN standards by a wide margin on all products. Not only do we comply with international standards, we design and implement our own tests specific to 29ers and bigger wheels - these tests are proprietary to Niner.
3. Real-world ride testing: we've talked in the past about the first two steps, but haven't shared much detail on this part of the process, until now...
Goals of a ride testing program:
1. Verification of geometry and frame detail choices:
When we design a new Niner, we build several versions of the frame - this enables us to evaluate choices like chain stay length, head angle and bottom bracket height in real world conditions. As an example, there has been a strong push for shorter and shorter chain stays across the industry - this does create a more playful platform, but it also changes the high speed stability of the bike. Our ride testing helps us to find the best chain stay length in the range of possibilities that fits within our award winning Niner geometry standards.
2. Verification of component choices / compatibility
One of the most challenging parts of frame design is optimizing it for component compatibility. A great example today is the advent of 1x drivetrains. These amazing drivetrains enable us to drop front derailleur mounts entirely, but many of our customers prefer to run a double or a single chainring. We finalize choices about compatibility vs. long term component availability in this phase of testing.
3. Long term durability testing
Finally, we look at long term durability. Our test frames see huge miles over many months before release to our dealers. We check tube strength, watch for unusual fatigue, bearing wear and tear, cable rub and of course, frame integrity, hardware durability.
Who are our test riders?
Does the frame work with most intended component choices? Does it have proper tire clearance? Is the shock tune dialed? These can't really be answered by a machine - the best feedback comes from a crew of great testers - all of whom fill out detailed reports after every ride. We ask them questions about trail conditions, terrain, set up (shock pressures, tire pressures) throughout the process. This is the hard part of being a ride tester - you have homework after every single ride.
We use both elite riders and average-Joe riders in our program - elite riders have personal mechanics and resources that are not available to most of us - we think it is important that our bikes work for both rider types. We have riders who weigh 350lbs and riders who are pro racers who weigh under 135 lbs. We also have test riders from within our partner companies - the makers of our suspension, tires and more - they help us to get our bikes dialed for upcoming components. All together, this crew spans a wide range of abilities and physical characteristics, making sure Niner bikes benefit from feedback at every level.
Most recently, we've been testing the new WFO 9. Due to be released in the autumn, this bike is the next Niner to receive an airforming upgrade. While we aren't releasing details yet, the bike will be lower, slacker and have shorter stays than the previous version all choices we have finalized in the ride testing process. We cant wait for you to try the most gravity-specific bike in the Niner stable yet.
Check out the Niner Facebook page for full galleries of action at the Winter Park Enduro World Series event - two of our test riders took part in this on the prototypes as a part of the testing program. Also check out the coverage and interviews on PinkBike and VitalMTB for more details.