The bicycle industry is booming at the moment. Driven globally by fitness-conscious consumers and commuters looking for ways to beat growing traffic congestion, its value is anticipated to exceed $64 million by 2018. At the same time, issues such as the rising cost of materials and the need to optimize bicycle performance and offer attractive features to end users are challenging that future. At the Interbike 2013 trade show in Las Vegas, approximately 25,000 attendees and industry specialists will gather to address these and other challenges facing the global market.
Saint-Gobain, manufacturer of the popular line of NORGLIDE composite bearings, has announced strategic initiatives for the market. The company's experts believe that, through cooperation up and down the supply chain, bicycle manufacturers will be positioned to develop the next generation of cutting-edge solutions. Committed to partnering both with bicycle OEMs and component manufacturers to deliver high-performance solutions, Saint-Gobain is supporting the industry today while also supporting future growth.
"Soaring manufacturing costs, combined with increased competition worldwide, is driving down profit margins, potentially hampering industry success in the long term," said Janaki Weiden, global marketing director for NORGLIDE Bearings. "It is important, then, that manufacturers carefully consider all the material and component options available to them to ensure they choose solutions that streamline their production processes and boost the cycling experience for consumers."
Technologies to Optimize Performance
Working closely with key partners in the industry, Saint-Gobain is developing technologies to optimize the performance of shock absorbers, headsets, and other bicycle mechanisms. The company's line of NORGLIDE composite bearings is specifically designed to provide a smoother riding experience, including:
Controlled friction for smooth movement, eliminating undesirable stick-slip through a thick, self-lubricating polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) liner; A guaranteed perfect fit for high component performance over the bicycle's complete lifetime through NORGLIDE composite bearings' unique ability to compensate for misalignments between mating components such as those in derailleurs and dropper seat-posts; Extended component life thanks to the inert properties of NORGLIDE composite bearings' laminated metal backing, designed to minimie any corrosion.
The composite bearings' split-ring, thin walled structure, tailored shape and geometries offer the advantage of smart design for manufacturers by allowing space and weight savings for bicycle components. In view of increasing consumer demand for lightweight equipment, composite bearings also prove critical as they replace heavier counterparts, such as rolling element bearings, to reduce overall weight of the bicycle.
"There is no 'one-size-fits-all' way to address the issues that will affect the industry over the next few years," added Paul Humphreys, global market manager, bicycles for NORGLIDE Bearings. "The entire supply chain should work together to find customized material and component solutions that meet the specific requirements of their technology and production processes while ensuring a better ride for end users. At Saint-Gobain we believe that small parts can make a big difference to the future of cycling."
