CDuro and Their Epona Hint at Future Where Carbon Fiber Bikes Are Built by Machines

Ladies and gents and lovers of anything with two wheels, before us, is the one and only Epona, a carbon fiber Enduro MTB built with a marriage between human and machine to craft an optimized, light, and magnificently capable MTB, even going as far as hinting at new manufacturing processes for carbon fiber trinkets.

Now, the crew behind the magic we see here is none other than CDuro Bikes, an off-shoot brand of Compo Tech, a European team that's been meddling with composite materials since 1995, responsible for supplying numerous industries in Europe and even the world with top-shelf carbon fiber and composite parts. From naval to aerospace and even mining, they handle it all.

But, the real takeaway is one of the manufacturing processes they developed in-house. It's called Integrated Loop Technology or ILT, and with it, strands of carbon fiber are continually and precisely fed onto an existing backbone. As a result, each component built with this process eliminates human error and raises the level of precision to beyond god-like proportions.

First and foremost, before you continue reading this article, I urge you to take a look at the short video clip below. In it, we can see the underlying process that gives rise to the Epona and how Compo Tech's ILT process works and unfolds in real-time. As we can see, it's a rather complicated system with component after component working its mechanized part: a base rotates frame tubes on a sort of lathe action and suspended above it all, a robot arm moves and places threads of carbon fiber when and where it's needed. That arm then feeds carbon threads from spools through a nozzle similar to that found on 3D printers. Better yet, we can compare it to a spider spinning the most amazing thread.

The benefits of all this are numerous, but some of them include a more efficient use of material, reduced machining because of the precision with which a robot can work, and ultimately results in a bike with stronger joints. Then there are the workforce impacts of an automated production line, but that's a story for another time; the Epona is only partially produced by automated processes.

All that brings us to the Epona, the ravishing creature before us today. But before we dive into the thick of things, allow me to point out that CDuro's design revolves around a single pivot rear suspension frame style, and while what we see is a complete machine, CDuro only sells frames. It's with this component that you're able to build your dream bicycle, and if I may, you should be choosing the best gear on the market because the Epona only deserves the best, not to mention that a frame will run you a solid €3,860 ($4,200 at current exchange rates). Oh, and if you do happen to want one, you'll have to get in line as these babies are only available in limited numbers and crafted for each individual rider's body measurements, the way a bicycle frame of this price and nature should be crafted.

What you're paying for is a carbon fiber frame with a high-modulus structure and weighting just 2.2 kg (4.85 lbs), but the real attractive feature will remain the way the Epona comes out at the end of the production line, with visible weaves of carbon fiber spotted at the head tube and seat tube too, along with the wrapped reinforcements; it looks wicked, to say the least, and if I saw anyone rocking this baby on trails in my town, I'd laugh at first and then be amazed at its story.

While it may be extremely difficult to understand how this baby feels, I can throw a few geometry numbers at you in the hopes of getting a feel for this baby. First and foremost, we're looking at a 64-degree head tube angle, so clearly slack enough to dominate the trails. The seat tube sits at a solid 78 degrees or 79 degrees for the size S frame, and a chainstay length of 450 mm ensures a solid base with the rear wheel center far away from the BB and places the rider in the center of the bike.

Then there's the matter of rear suspension, which highly depends on the wheel size you choose to run on your Epona. If you're rocking 29-inch wheels, the Epona's rear grants 150 mm of travel, but under a mullet configuration - a smaller wheel at the rear - 160 mm is possible with a 27.5-inch wheel. All that does change a bit if you're looking to rock a size S frame, so weigh your options. At the front, however, the design calls for forks with 160 mm or 170 mm of travel; enjoy the ride.

The downside here is that CDuro is a Czech company, and if you want an Epona, you'll need to pay shipping fees or possibly travel overseas. Still, the tradeoff would be a carbon fiber machine that would grab the attention of the whole town, not just your riding buddies.