Spain-based bicycle manufacturer Berria Bike reports that it has introduced new bicycles onto the market, including the top models, Bravo Team 29 MTB and Team Belador Road frames, which use Sweden-based search firm Oxeon’s carbon fibre material, TeXtreme.

TeXtreme involves the use of spread tows, instead of yarns, to achieve ultralightweight and high-performance products. Companies using the TeXtreme technology achieve better properties on weight, stiff- ness and strength of the bicycle’s frame, compared with those using other carbon fibre materials.

TeXtreme is also used in Formula One vehicles, America’s Cup yachts, as well as employed in golf shafts, surf boards, aircraft interiors, rowing boats, skis, snowboards, ice hockey sticks, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing vehicles and various industrial and advanced aerospace applications.

Berria Bike research and development manager David Vitoria says: “The company is pleased to have TeXtreme carbon fibre fabrics in its top range of frames. “TeXtreme has enabled us to build lightweight bike frames that have high stiffness values. This has improved the reactivity and the feature set of our bicycles.”

Berria Bike sales manager José Vitoria says: “In a short period, the road range reinforced by TeXtreme has created much curiosity and satisfaction in the bike community.

“Owing to the well-recognised benefits associated with TeXtreme in the world of sports, especially in Formula One racing, where it is used to reduce the weight of carbon composite parts, it contributed to a high market acceptance early on.”

In other news, South African composites materials distributor Advanced Materials Technology, trading as AMT Composites, has signed an agreement that gives it the right to distribute TeXtreme in the region.

Oxeon marketing and sales VP Andreas Martsman says: “We are pleased to have AMT Composites committed to distributing our materials, as we believe this brings benefits in the form of customers being able to select TeXtreme in the mix of composite reinforcements available.”

AMT Composites was founded in 1989 and now has three branches and employs 38 people throughout South Africa. “We are thrilled to add TeXtreme to our product range for those customers looking for weight savings and better mechanical properties,” says AMT Composites GM Nigel Fotheringham.