Eurobike 2022 technology gallery, day two: Magnets, motors and 3D printing galore - CyclingTips

The bicycle industry seems to be obsessed with 3D printing these days. It has long been a product development staple for rapid prototyping, but is quickly becoming the preferred production method for high-end consumer products as well.

Selle Italia and Selle San Marco are jumping into the saddle pool with a new model slated for release later this year, Elastic Interface Technology has incorporated 3D printed pads into a new premium chamois concept, and German outdoor brand Jack Wolfskin is even using 3D printing for backpack pads.

What’s next? Only time (and imagination) will tell.

Fidlock — maker of all the fancy magnetic helmet buckles, like on Bell’s new Falcon XR — is also continuing to expand its range of magnet-based closures. There are plenty of accessories that use the same hook concept, but also things like a magnet-based hydration bladder reservoir. Perhaps most interesting, however, is the new magnetic ratcheting shoe closure concept called the Winch which is already used in some limited edition everyday bicycle shoes and bags. Could the company be thinking of going after Boa? Maybe—or maybe not.

Finally, IDmatch (essentially a division of Selle Italia) continues to push for its new bike-fitting system, which uses a high-precision camera network to quickly get body measurements without having to use stick markers. The system uses the same camera to analyze — in real time — your position on the right bike, and then automatically (!) moves the saddle and bars wherever the software says they should.

Selle Italia says the entire process typically takes less than an hour from start to finish, and the company claims the system can compete with traditional premium fit systems like Retul and others. Seems too good to be true, doesn’t it? Maybe, but even if the system gets riders close enough, if the time and cost of making the match more accessible to more people, that’s not a bad thing.

More coming soon from the Eurobike 2022 show. Stay tuned! Oh, and if you haven’t checked out our gallery from day one, you can find it at the link.

Selle Italia, Selle San Marco and IDmatch

Selle Italia enters the 3D printing game with the new SLR Boost 3D.

The Selle Italia SLR Boost 3D appears to be fairly light (the company doesn’t provide official figures), and the padding is as strong as you’d expect for a racing-oriented saddle. It will be out sometime in September, with retail prices ranging from €360-450, depending on train choice.

Selle Italia has several new colors for its off-road saddle model.

Selle San Marco – now owned by Selle Italia – released its own 3D printed saddle, using a different cell shape and a generally softer overall feel. The price is also a bit more reasonable, at €350-399.

Selle San Marco hopes that more than a few people will love this wildly colorful saddle color.

Looking for some more earthy colors on your gravel bike? Selle San Marco has got you covered.

The IDmatch fit system uses nothing but a high-resolution camera to collect initial body measurements. The system then analyzes (in real time) the video of the rider on the fit bike. The most impressive part, however, is that the bike fit is fully automated, using software and camera data to move the saddle and bar positions where the system thinks they need to get the movement parameters correct. IDmatch charges the system just as well as the traditional premium method (though it should take less than an hour from start to finish), which seems unlikely. However, if the system’s greater accessibility (in terms of client costs) means it is used by more riders, even a fairly close match is expected to be much more helpful than nothing.

Camera-based systems typically collect these measurements with markers placed by cyclists at specific locations on the rider. But the IDmatch camera does it automatically, somehow.

Fitted bicycle crankarm length can be adjusted from 160 to 180 mm. The stock pedals feature Look Keo compatibility on one hand, and Shimano SPD on the other. If neither of those work, it’s easy to swap pedals for another.

The seat post is attached using a special quick release base.

IDmatch – which is basically a division of Selle Italia – includes a wide range of Selle Italia and Selle San Marco saddles with each bike fitting.

New from IDmatch are various soles with three different levels of arch support.

IDmatch sets the sole to provide support, not correction. In other words, if you have flat feet, the system will suggest a flat insole instead of one with more arches to help correct overpronation.

IDmatch uses this special jig to determine the exact size of the insole. This is not so much for the total length as for the proper placement of the arch support.

The IDmatch ridge placement jig is easy to use and seems pretty precise. Shoe fittings place the shoe using the inside of the heel cup, which should theoretically result in a consistent location regardless of shoe make or model.

Elastic Interface Technology

Elastic Interface Technology continues to push the envelope with chamois designs, and the N3T (“next”) features the latest and greatest innovation: 3D printing.

Elastic Interface Technology uses a 3D printed cushion just below the seatbone. The company says the cushioning is more comfortable than conventional foam, but also much more durable so the comfort is more likely to last.

The open structure should also be good for air circulation. And in wet conditions, it also won’t hold water like conventional open cell foam.

The pad itself has only a few seams around the pad, while the rest is welded.

Different bearing densities can be used depending on the desired bearing grade.

Elastic Interface Technology also showcases a new line of bearings made with cuts from other models that would otherwise have been discarded.

Elastic Interface Technology has followed up on the half finger printed glove design with a wide range of full finger options.

secret key

Fidlock is famous in the cycling world for its magnetic helmet buckles, but the company actually has a very diverse range of outdoor products, all using a similar magnetic latches.

Fidlock enters the shoe-closing game with a new ratchet concept called the Winch.

Each winch can be tightened like most Boa ratcheting dials, and can also be loosened easily. To remove, simply pull the magnetic knob from the base, and off you go. I’m not sure how well this will fit into a cycling shoe, but we’ll see.

Fidlock also plays with quick release attachments for conventional ropes.

Coming from Fidlock is this new Hermetic hydration bladder, which features a magnetic waterproof folding lid on the top, plus a magnetic lock on the bottom for added security. They’re all wide open for easy cleaning (and drying!), too.

bell

Bell’s new Falcon XR helmet builds on the recent success of the XR Spherical, offering similar styling and ventilation performance, but with conventional MIPS liners instead of the XR’s more complex dual layer architecture.

The style of the Bell Falcon XR is very clean, and there’s a bit more coverage than usual on the back as well.

The magnetic Fidlock buckle is a nice feature to look at on a helmet priced at just US$120.

The sweat tab is another great feature to find at this price point. It’s a small thing, but it will go a long way in keeping sweat from running into your eyes and sunglasses.

The Falcon XRs are offered with or without a visor, but all feature grippy rubber appliques to help keep the sunglasses securely in the vents.

Jack Wolfskin

German outdoor company Jack Wolfskin showcased a collection of bikepacking bags, all of which use the new Winch magnetic ratchet system from Fidlock.

The bags actually look pretty good, and the company generally has a reputation for things that last.

Think 3D printing is just for fancy hard stuff? Jack Wolfskin uses it for backpack padding.

Follow the link for our continued coverage of Eurobike 2022, the world’s largest cycling trade show.

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