JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #118 - January/February 2018 - 5

racing for innovation OPlNlON
into physical values (degrees of stiffness,
weights, geometries, aerodynamic profile), and then into building the product.

The Blade technology uses a blade instead of a conventional spring and offers key benefits as leightweight, aerodynamism and a safe cleat entry/release for optimum
perfromances

also drawing on outside skills from major
specialists, for example F1 consultants,
for certain sets of problems.
The pace of our innovation is spurred by
heavy competition, and the goal at Look
is to associate innovation and sports performance.
What kind of synergies emerged after
Look Cycle acquired a majority stake in
Corima in 2016?

You have to compromise: the speeds,
state of the roads, cyclist weight, and
type of use are all variable. The frame is
an inert entity. At least, that is the current requirement of the Union Cycliste
Internationale (UCI). We add additional style constraints, because the frame
should be attractive (lines and paint), as
well as immediately identifiable on a podium. The one-piece carbon shell has enabled a lot more flexibility in this approach
than welded or formed metal frames.

V. H.: It is more of an additive than a
structural element in itself. Graphene improves the composite, its weight and its
appearance even more. We are currently
testing specimens to get an idea about
this advanced technology, which is very
costly in terms of materials. The range
of very high-modulus carbons is still our
main line of research.

Do you take inspiration from other application sectors?

In your opinion, what characteristics will
the Bicycle of the Year have in 2025?

V. H.: Look engineers have a lot of technical curiosity. Some of the innovations
originate in sectors that might surprise
you. Also, since I come from the automotive sector where the environment is
highly structured and competitive, I plan
to bring in tools and an outlook to accelerate the time to market for our products
at the best level of quality.

V. H.: In 2025, a "perfect" series bicycle will no longer be the goal. Composite
processes, design methods and available
data for each cyclist will make it possible
to create a bicycle for each customer and
use.
Imagine a perfect symbiosis of your
muscles, bones, handlebars and bottom-bracket axle, frame, wheel, and the
road surface and gradient... we are working hard to find that optimum. There is
no doubt that each ride on such a bicycle will bring a smile to the rider's face.
So in 2025, you'll have to think "Bicycle
Brand" of the Year, and Look Cycles with
Corima wheels will have its place. ¨

Can composite materials still help push
the envelope of sports performance in the
cycling world?

V. H.: Besides the cross-operational

complementarities already in place (of
the sales, financial and HR type), our
first project was industrial. Thanks to this
synergy, Corima is able to produce twice
as many wheels as before with the same
high level of quality.

F1 racing have made no mistake. We are
testing additive manufacturing technologies with great interest, because they will
certainly be a complement to current
carbon/polymerized fabric technologies.

V. H.: The anisotropic properties of car-

bon structures still have a bright future.
They provide the ideal performance exactly where it is needed, and nothing else.
Other high-tech sectors like aerospace or

What role can graphene play in cycling?

More information:
www.lookcycle.com

From the product viewpoint, we now are
working together on the IP documents
and on the finishing touches to the track
racing bicycles that we are developing for the French Cycling Federation.
Combining our expertise on composite
products for frames and wheels - two
major components - will open up a lot
of opportunities. A bicycle "system" approach will satisfy the dedicated competition and consumers even more.
What are the specifications for the design
of a bicycle that incorporates composite
materials?

V. H.: A frame is above all a mechanical
structural part. We convert the chosen
experience-based data for the bicycle

Since LooK's
beginning in the
bicycle world, the
choice of fabrication material has
been emphasized
on carbon.

N°118 January - February 2018 /

jec composites magazine

http://www.lookcycle.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #118 - January/February 2018