UBC GmbH, based in Murr, Germany, recently launched their new urban bike, the coren, which has a frame made exclusively from Umeco’s MTM 49 -3 epoxy resin systems reinforced with high tensile strength woven carbon fabrics and unidirectional carbon fibres, and compatible adhesive film.  Supplied in three models, as the coren Singlespeed, Pedelec or Fixed Gear, it was the Singlespeed model that recently won the ISPO Brand New Award 2012.*

According to UMECO its MTM49-3 series prepregs are 80 to 160°C (176 to 320°F) curing, toughened epoxy resin system was chosen because it has been developed specifically for the manufacture of components requiring excellent ambient mechanical performance combined with good impact resistance after only moderate cure cycles.

With a history steeped in designing and manufacturing structural components for Formula One teams and major automotive and motor sport companies, UBC has applied its composites and Umeco’s prepregs into every aspect of the coren’s frame, electing to autoclave cure Umeco’s MTM49-3 prepregs to achieve the required performance characteristics.

Visually, UMECO says, the bike looks extremely light and this is simply due to the innovative, modern shape of the frame drafted by UBC designer Christian Zanzotti. Umeco adds that its prepregs have been expertly applied to deliver a bike that weighs a meagre 7700grams.

Sebastian Wegerle, UBC’s Product and Marketing Manager, said: “We selected Umeco’s prepregs because they are reliable, have a good reputation in the motorsport and aviation sectors, and we were able to choose from a wide range of fibres and resin systems to provide the best material properties.”

From tailoring the carbon fibre layers through the manufacture of aluminium forms and bonding the carbon parts to connecting the three sections of the frame, the entire manufacturing process is carried out on UBC premises.

Marco Noack, engineer at UBC, said: "The frame, like all UBC components, is manufactured in a clean room, in accordance with motor sport and premium vehicle construction standards. We document everything, including details concerning the source, type of material, quality and employees."

It takes 40 hours to laminate a coren by hand and almost everything that applies to traditional bicycle production is ignored. The design and the size of the frame are based on a new approach, with UBC fitting the down tube, the top tube and the seat tube together on an adjustable frame gauge.

The bike is  said to owe its unique appearance particularly to the connection of the top tube and the seat tube, to the delicate cross-section and the faultless quality of the materials and workmanship.

To guarantee this, UBC engineers monitor the materials and the workmanship on their own premises – in tolerance limits equivalent to the most stringent demands required by their Formula One, DTM, racing and high performance sports car customers.

UBC has made a name for itself throughout the world with the engineering and manufacture of high-quality carbon fibre components for customers such as Porsche, Bugatti and Audi.

As an international provider of advanced composite and process materials, UMECO works primarily with organisations and individuals across aerospace, defence, wind energy, recreation, automotive and marine. In July 2012, Umeco was acquired by Cytec.

*Every year, ISPO MUNICH honours the most exceptional sporting goods products with the ISPO AWARD. A jury consisting of independent sports business professionals evaluates several hundred entries, also from non-exhibitors, according to clearly defined criteria. This high-calibre selection presents a welcome orientation aid for sports business professionals and provides retailers with a welcome tool for their future product selections.

 www.ubc-gmbh.com