Flanders’
Bike Valley
MAGAZINE
Where Classics meet Innovations
Four-stage Tour winner:
André “Gorilla” Greipel Bike Valley – Birth of an open innovation Valley Preview of the
BikeVille Incubator 9 Innovations @Eurobike2015
Windtunnel test Results
Eurobike 2015
Flanders’ Bike Valley Booth
Participants
pages in the magazine D-Fix .............................................. - 4 Contactperson: Jan Deckx +32 (0) 471 36 79 48 www.sixty-too.be ambideckxter@hotmail.com
The Opportunity Factory ......... - 20 Contactperson: Dirk Verhaeghe +32 (0) 495 58 23 09 www.theopportunityfactory.org
BikeLabs ........................................ - 6 Contactperson: Joachim Vanwalleghem +32 (0) 9 331 04 35 www.bikelabsinternational.com joachim.vanwalleghem@ugent.be
Kipando ....................................... - 22 Contactperson: Frederik Middernacht +32 (0) 11 87 08 15 www.kipando.com frederik.middernacht@kipando.com
Velocite ......................................... - 8 Contactperson: Jessica Major +886 988 37 06 78 www.velocite-bikes.com jessica.major@velocite-bikes.com
Achilles Design .......................... - 24 Contactperson: Joost Thurman +32 (0) 15 41 02 72 www.achilles.be j.thurman@achilles.be
RS Print .................................... - 12 -
Smart Mobility Solutions ......... - 26 Contactperson: Tycho Verbelen +32 (0) 496 23 16 71 www.smartmobilitysolutions.be tverbelen@smartmobilitysolutions.be
Gridbox BVBA ............................ - 14 Contactperson: Piet Dijkmans +32 (0) 487 38 94 73 www.gridbox.be
Flanders’ Bike Valley ................ - 30 Contactperson: Bert Celis +32 (0) 497 57 59 59 www.flandersbikevalley.be bert.celis@flandersbikevalley.be
Contactperson: Tom Peeters +32 (0) 487 54 54 04 www.rsprint.be tom.peeters@rsprint.be
info@gridbox.be
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dirk.verhaeghe@theopportunityfactory.org
Colophon Flanders’ Bike Valley magazine is a production of Flanders’ Bike Valley Editor: Flanders’ Bike Valley vzw Beverlosesteenweg 85 3583 PAAL Belgium
This is the core of our business
www.flandersbikevalley.be
Featuring as a demonstrable presence at Eurobike 2015, helping to present 9 innovations to the world, creating and distributing a Flanders’ Bike Valley Magazine, seeking out the international press, and spreading our story, that is the core of our business.
Follow us on
Project management and lay-out: MTSS Powered by:
Flanders is the heart of the ‘classics’ in the road bicycle racing world and that is great. But, in the 21st century, we would be crazy not to try and take that wealth of knowledge on bicycles, clothing, food, technology, marketing, etc. … and convert it to a modern business case that reaches far beyond our borders. Our government is dedicating great efforts to innovation and our entrepreneurs are open for the new culture of clustering, which means that Flanders’ Bike Valley has every chance of succeeding.
Flanders Investment & Trade Koning Albert-II laan 37 1030 Brussel T: +32 2 504 87 11 info@fitagency.be
All rights reserved.
In this maiden edition of our magazine, you will be introduced to our club with our incubator, our wind tunnel, our members and the participants in our booth at Eurobike 2015. You can become a member of ours, a neighbour in the incubator, or a customer of the wind tunnel. In the future, this magazine will also offer a channel to the open innovation cluster in Flanders. We already have this passion for bicycles for generations, now, we have definitively added the ambition to become top-of-mind concerning innovations and (bicycle) mobility. Marc Hufkens, co-founder and chairman, Bert Celis, co-founder and CEO, and Guy De Bruyne, scientific director of Flanders’ Bike Valley.
9 Innovations @Eurobike2015 Flanders is manifestly present at one of the top events for the international cycling business. In addition to a number of large corporations and members of the Flanders’ Bike Valley who have already established themselves in the sector, we use our FBV booth to present 9 entrepreneurs, service providers, inventors, … of new products, services and apps. You can find an overview on the left page next to this one. Our booth clearly demonstrates the diversity of all that grows in our valley. From universities and manufacturers to out-of-the-box designers, we have them all. Let’s take a look!
Velocite is an example of a manufacturer established in Taiwan (yes!) and will mainly bring its newest developments in bicycles and cycling. BikeLabs, on the other hand, is connected to Ghent University and offers tests to bicycle manufacturers worldwide. Jan Deckx has reinvented the (rear) wheel (D-fix) and RS Print finds the best solution for each of you … to improve your every move.
Gridbox and The Opportunity Factory demonstrate that innovation can also take place ‘around’ your bicycle, such as the storage and functionality of your bike. Of course, we also see new business models emerge regarding bicycles and mobility through the introduction of apps and design. Kipando and Achilles Design on the one hand, and Smart Mobility Solutions on the other, show their know-how to investors and service operators.
Read and meet with the Flanders’ Bike Valley Booth @Eurobike 2015 Flanders’ Bike Valley - magazine
3
The wheel
D-Fix D-Fix bike hub keeps gears on and hands clean Taking off a rear bike tire can be a
For recreational cyclists and commuters,
pain. It’s a multistep process, and you
catching a rear tire flat on the way is a
have to be careful if you want to keep
nightmare that ends with black fingertips
your fingers clean of grease.
and indelible grease gear imprints on your clothes — unfortunately, there are no team cars trailing you on the bike path run. The D-Fix bike hub makes changing a rear tire on your multigear bike smooth and clean.
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Flanders’ Bike Valley - magazine
reinvented The D-Fix I is a rear hub that separates the
getting a wheel with the wrong gearing from
cog from the wheel, making it possible to
neutral service before descents or climbs.
leave the gears on the bike when you remove
The D-fix hub will have to be approved
the rear tire. No need to shift to your lowest
though
gear or touch the derailleur to get the wheel
Internationale) professional cycling’s world
out cleanly, no chain-dangle leading to a
regulatory group before the pros can use it
greasy frame, and no dirty hands. Made of
in races.
by
the
UCI
(Union
Cycliste
7075 aluminum and titanium, the lock is secured by a three-turn screw.
For average riders who ride their miles without a service car, the D-Fix hub erases
Jan has tested the hub extensively himself
all the greasy woes of the roadside tube
over a variety of terrain.
swap.
The D-Fix could also be a huge help to pro
Jan would like to see the hub marketed to
riders by significantly cutting down the time
triathlon and mountain bike users first.
it takes to swap a wheel. Additionally, since
Jan Deckx, the inventor of D-Fix and founder of the company Sixty-Too
riders keep their cassettes, they needn’t fear
More information and contact:
ambideckxter@hotmail.com - + 32 (0) 471 36 79 48 www.sixty-too.be
Your partner in bicycle testing BikeLabs International is an independent test and knowledge centre for bicycle testing. The company offers test facilities according to ISO test procedures and develops customized test equipment. BikeLabs International has expertise in four domains: mechanical testing, vibration testing, quality control and electric bicycle testing. This supports bicycle manufacturers in their design and product development.
MECHANICAL TESTING Stiffness
g
Effect of fibre orientation, fibre type and geometrical design
Acceleration and force
g
Fatigue
g
Influence of minor/local material imperfections on long term repetitive loading
Accurate dynamic measurements on frame, front fork, rider
Damping
g
Reduce road excitation by material and design modifications
Impact
g
Assess energy absorption and damage by impact testing of components
Body vibration
g
Assess human perception of vibrations by whole-body vibration measurements
Hot-spot detection
g
Detect critical areas in bicycle components and improve design
Field and laboratory testing
g
Transfer lab results to bike behaviour in the field
QUALITY CONTROL
6
VIBRATION TESTING
Prototype
g
Meet design requirements
Pilot run
g
Verify performance criteria to start series production
Periodic
g
Production with minimal quality variation
Flanders’ Bike Valley - magazine
ELECTRIC BICYCLE TESTING Power management
g
Drive cycle analysis
ENI5194:2014
g
Electric and mechanical aspects
BikeLabs International offers opportunities for R&D professionals in bike industry worldwide Whether you want to test your bicycle according to EN and ISO procedures or you plan specific (nonstandardized) tests, BikeLabs International can support you in fulfilling this. We have experience with bicycle sensor instrumentation and data logging for assessing maximum loads, strains, vibrations, etc. in field or laboratory environment. An adequate sensor selection and data analysis supports the R&D department in evaluating the performance of their prototype bicycles related to mechanical and vibration aspects. BikeLabs International can rely on more than 20 years of experience with testing composite materials and structures at the composite research group of Ghent University. High measuring and data analysis standards are common practice, resulting in accurate and reliable conclusions about your product.
Š Ruth Wytinck
Contact details: dr. Joachim Vanwalleghem Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 903 9052 Zwijnaarde Belgium
Tel: +32-(0)9-331.04.35 Fax: +32-(0)9-264.58.33 www.bikelabsinternational.com
Engineered to perform Velocite was started in 2008 for one reason only. To be the best. We test, we research, then we do it again. We verify everything until we know it’s fast, light, strong and best in class. We do not make anything without doing this. We will not tell you fanciful stories just to sell you something. There are plenty of alternatives in the market who do that already.
Our product design philosophy reflects this goal so we do not employ any industrial designers, nor do we ever consult with external industrial or product design specialists. Our product philosophy is that of functional design - or better known as “form follows function”. You will therefore also not find many fanciful design features on our products - for example box sections, extreme edges, or other design devices whose function is to grab attention, not perform a function. What you will get is the best possible bicycle products for the intended purpose.
Each of our products is a result of careful consideration and at times exhaustive research and development (R&D) efforts. Our R&D capabilities extend to our own CFD (computational fluid dynamics) and FEA structural analysis equipment, to outside providers through whom we have access to a wind tunnel and any number of material and structural testing machines. This means that our product design choices are backed up by and based on scientific research.
For more information, Please contact Jessica Major No. 808 Minzu 1st Rd Sanmin District 807 Kaohsiung City, Taiwan Tel: +886 9 88370678 jessica.major@velocite-bikes.com www.velocite-bikes.com
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Latest Products: The revolutionary machine filament wound composite rims
High performance geometry, low weight and high power
Velocite Syn aero road bike
Venn Rev carbon filament wound rims
Velocite Ent full suspension eBike
Velocite Syn is a result of a functional design philosophy where the product’s ability to deliver the intended performance is the key design consideration. The performance targets were: class leading aerodynamics, high torsional stiffness, and good rider comfort. To achieve this we conducted primary and secondary research, and collaborated with knowledge centers around the world. We also collaborated directly with Mitsubishi Rayon and are the first bike company in the world to apply their new Pyrofil MR70 fiber. The end result is the first road bike with fully resolved aerodynamics even with water bottles installed, very high torsional stiffness (HT: 131 N/mm, BB: 187 N/mm) and excellent perceived rider comfort.
Venn Rev range of rims are manufactured using a novel filament winding process adapted for composite bicycle rim manufacture. This process achieves the following objectives: 1) lower manufacturing cost due to elimination of manual layup step, 2) lower material cost and greater material availability due to utilization of carbon fiber tow and liquid resin, 3) lower material waste as we do not cut round shapes out of square fabric, 4) higher manufacturing process stability delivering higher batch uniformity, 5) potential for much higher performance than that achievable through manual layup methods as fibers are laid down under tension and are thus geometrically stable.
The Velocite Ent is an high performance full suspension enduro e-bike. Special care was taken to design a frame that maintains the geometry of a nonassisted enduro bike, while adding 350W 48V of GreenTrans center motor power. The compact frame delivers both the shortest wheelbase and the highest stiffness compared to any enduro e-bike in the market. The weight is also kept to below 20kg by utilizing high end 7005 and 6066 alloys, lightweight components and novel Venn Enduro carbon wheels. The GreenTrans power assist system utilizes multiple sensors to deliver progressive assistance.
Designed by Science
Birth
of an open
innovation Valley Over the last two years a new Valley has been emerging from the cobblestones of Flanders, and in a short time more than 50 cycling-related companies have joined forces to boost cycling innovation.
T
raditionally Flanders is well known for its beer, chocolate and “French” fries. True cycling lovers will also know Flanders as a region for cycle races and cobblestones. But did you know that new ideas are arising from these cobblestones and new innovations are taking place...? In late 2013, three cycling companies - Ridley Race Productions, BioRacer and Lazer Sport - agreed to create Bike Valley, together with Voxdale (a design and engineering company already active in sports and aerodynamics, e.g. Indycar racing) and Flanders’ Drive, an automotive cluster. The first goal was to collaborate in wind tunnel aerodynamics testing and to construct a joint wind tunnel facility. However, it soon became clear that the collaboration opportunities were not limited to aerodynamics. After discussions with other cycling-related companies, it became clear that there are even greater innovation opportunities in the fields of tourism and recreation, mobility, safety and healthcare, science and technology and sports (not just cycling).
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It is definitely not the aim of the founders to collaborate with just any cycling company in the region (mainly Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany), but with companies that are open to innovation and collaboration. Some companies still imagine that they can handle any challenge and ride any wave in cycling industry all by themselves, relying on their own resources. However, cycling will be facing some major challenges, such as the introduction of more and more electronics (at the high end initially) and the Internet of Things, plus smart services, new materials, coatings, new production processes and so on.
Recent studies by the Vlerick Management school (by Prof. Marion De Bruyne) showed that, in the sports industry, around 40-50% of innovations originate from USERS! Mastering usercentered and user innovation (generated by entrepreneurs) will be key to riding the waves in the cycling world. Big enterprises are currently lacking the structures for this rather intangible new type of innovation. From the point of view of Bike Valley as an ecosystem, the fact that it is unrestricted is of course a strength of the open innovation system itself. By combining user innovation with a region with a very high concentration of early adopters, you get a powerful cocktail for innovation. A non-profit cluster organization, Bike Valley grew very quickly during 2014 to more than 50 members in 2015. Several new projects were started at the beginning of 2015: Bike Valley is currently collaborating with an electronics cluster called DSP Valley (based in Belgium and the Netherlands). Together we started a project called “Smart Bike” where more than 20 companies and several universities have joined forces to introduce new electronics (such as sensors, smart locks, smart storage etc.) into the world of cycling. Interested companies can still join Bike Valley and the Smart Bike User Group to share results and thoughts.
Bike Valley
as the Silicon Valley for Cycling Bike Valley is also currently spreading its wings on the European scale with initiatives together with ECF (European Cyclist Federation) and EPSI (European Platform for Sports Innovations). Also projects were launched in tandem with other regions like Catalunya (Spain), Rhone-Alpes (France) and the Netherlands. Also we are working together with local and regional governments for new cycling infrastructure, new cycling highways V2.0 (modular and uninterrupted cycling roads) were launched together with several Belgian, Dutch, German and UK regions in order to improve bike mobility in specific European Smart Mobility Cities; we will discuss these innovative highways in one of the next issues of this magazine. Industrial companies with new bike infrastructure solutions or goals are warmly welcomed to join our ecosystem. Last but not least, we want to show the world that the OPEN character of our Valley is not a hollow word, rather, we will offer any visitor and cycling lover a new Bike Valley Experience, starting in 2016. Together with regional cycling companies, we will be launching the possibility of visiting every industrial company on guided (bike) tours.
www.flandersbikevalley.be
Are a
HQ
pa s
ing y c yc l
Flanders’ Bike Valley vzw Beverlosesteenweg 85 3583 PAAL Belgium
People often ask were the borders of the Valley are, as if the Valley is geographically limited by a strict border or some country borders. Our Valley within Europe is more limited by the willingness to collaborate than it is by country borders. Besides the high level of early adoption in the region, we also notice a high openness and willingness to collaborate, and share knowledge and innovations. For Bike Valley this is one of the basics in collaboration; this definitely doesn’t mean you should be willing to share your whole roadmap but a least a part of it, so joint projects with mutual interests can be defined.
b ed
early adopters for cycling
In Flanders it is impossible to go out on a Sunday morning without meeting race bike fanatics, and in Holland investments in cycling infrastructure and urban mobility are really ahead of the times. The passion for cycling is in our genes.
on si
Europe’s region with the most
Silicon Valley can definitely claim to have the most early adopters for ICT products and services but, as regards cycling, Bike Valley (within Flanders and Holland) outperforms any region as early adopters.
To improve your every move, put your base at its best.
Why our 3D printed insoles? We’re the first and only insole manufacturer that translates your running gait analysis into truly customized cycling insoles. The footscan® pressure plate combined with the footscan® software enables bike fitters to design a very durable and personal insole which helps you to achieve your cycling goals. With the unique 3D printing production process makes it possible to create extremely light yet outstandingly strong insoles. Injury prevention Did you ever suffer from knee pain, lower back pains, an aching pelvis, sore feet or numb toes during your bicycle ride? There is a big chance you have… But did you ever thought that the position of your feet are the root cause of these problems? There is a big chance you haven’t… It’s easy though, getting your feet right on your bicycle is extremely important, a small correction under your feet can cause major improvements on the lateral movement of your knees, correct the position of your pelvis, distributing the pressure better on your pedals. Having custom made insoles might just be the perfect cure for your musclo skeletal cycling injuries or to prevent you from it.
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Flanders’ Bike Valley - magazine
Improve your every move, it’s about marginal gains Perhaps you’re already a well trained cyclist and you’re not suffering any injuries, but you’re wondering how to fit perfectly on your bike. Then again, start from the base. Aligning your feet and thus the rest of your body is far more important than you could ever imagine. The perfect custom insole might just be the solution for you to completely unlock your potential and win that little extra percent. About RS Print is the joint venture between two of Belgium’s finest technology companies, RS Scan and Materialise. Our first focus was on running insoles, but our passion for cycling and the lack of truly customized high tech insoles for cyclists urged us to develop state of the art cycling insoles.
RS PRINT™ 3D Printed custom dynamic cycling insoles
Are you professionally involved in cycling? Contact us now for a free demo! Are you interested in discovering the possibilities and advantages of footscan® and RS Print™ insoles for your shop or your business? Tom Peeters tom.peeters@rsprint.be +32 (0) 487 54 54 04
More info: www.rsprint.be @rsprint_3D
www.facebook.com/RSPrint3D www.rsscan.com
“The safest 24/7 bike storage!�
The use of electric bicycles is on the rise around Europe. One of the main challenges for every e-bike cyclist is bike storage. The lack of decent e-bike storage in cities is one of the main obstacles for cyclists. Not knowing where to store their bike in a secure way hampers the use of the e-bike.
Gridbox stimulates green mobility by providing secure 24/7 flexible bike storage systems. Gridbox is a highly secured metal framed box system combined with a metal rolling shutter system and some genius electronics. Flexibility, portability and ease of use were the primary goals when developing this bike storage solution. The main targeted audience are users riding with electric bikes to the cities. The Gridbox should therefore be placed on strategic tourist hotspots.
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Due to the security and anonymity of the boxes in conjunction with the low entry prices, the end user will feel safer and more confident leaving their bike with accessories behind while shopping or continuing their journey with for example the train. A Gridbox is also equipped with multiple charging points where batteries, cell phones, etc can be charged while being left behind.
The Gridbox can be operated by the end user via SMS messages or a smartphone app, available for iOS and Android. Through this way the end user can check the availability of Gridboxes in their vicinity, easily book a Gridbox and control it. For extra security as well as to give the user more peace of mind there are movement alert notifications in case of movement while the box is closed and the end user also has the possibility to retrieve camera images from inside their Gridbox right from their smartphone. Gridbox is a great solution for attracting biking tourists and shoppers back to village and city centres while they were not comfortable doing that before due to security risks and practical issues. Studies prove that those very same shoppers are now leaving their expensive bikes at home, while going to shopping malls on the edge of the city with their cars.
Furthermore and for the very same reasons Gridbox can, because of it’s transportability, also be used for events, such as sports events. Apart from targeting electric bicycle owners, we have also incorporated a system which may be useful for small and medium businesses to attract and provide services to more customers outside their area. As an extra feature and under a separate contract, a service provider ( for example a bike shop ) can use a Gridbox as a service point. For example during night time, the service provider can deliver purchased or repaired goods in a Gridbox and allow their customer one time access to that same Gridbox to retrieve the goods.
Peace of mind, connectivity, flexibility and a correct price are our main selling points! Contact: Gridbox BVBA Gemeenteheide 19 2440 Geel info@gridbox.be Piet Dijkmans - +32 (0) 487/389.473 Kai De Sutter - +32 (0) 485/966.335 Gridbox; The safest 24/7 bike storage!
Photonics
helps cyclist win
four Tour de France stages Optical analysis streamlines André Greipel’s bike and kit. German rider supported by German technology.
W
hile much of this year’s Tour de France attention was focused on British overall winner Chris Froome, yesterday’s finalstage victor, German André “Gorilla” Greipel – who had also won three earlier stages, has photonics technology to thank at least in part for his significant successes.
Both his bike and clothing had been engineered by means of German-developed photonics technology called Particle Image Velocimetry, which is also used in Formula 1 motor racing. During wind tunnel measurements at the Technical University in Dresden,
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PIV was used to analyze the aerodynamic performance of Greipel’s bike and helmet. PIV has been developed by Intelligent Laser Applications (ILA GmbH), which not only allows visualization of the airflow around bike and rider, but also accurately measures the flow in detail. Development engineers use these results to optimize the performance of bike and clothing.
PIV is an optical measurement technique in which small particles are illuminated by means of a green laser. The movement of these particles is recorded by a sensitive camera, a special version of PCO’s Edge 5.5 model. A dedicated software package accurately calculates the direction and speed of the flow over the cyclist.
Collaboration At the start of 2015, PIV was also used in a joint project set-up by Flanders´ Bike Valley in Belgium. The project brought together manufacturers of bikes and clothing in order to optimize their product ranges. In this case, parts of André Greipel’s bike (made by Ridley Bikes) and helmet (Lazer Sport) were measured and analyzed by the ILA PIV system to further improve their performance. Bert Celis, project coordinator at Flanders’ Bike Valley, commented, “The know-how of Flemish Companies regarding aerodynamics and cycling technology is worldwide leading edge, but was until now rather divided. Each company had their own knowledge about their own product range.”
PIV has also been used successfully for several years by leading Formula 1 teams to optimize the performance of their racing cars. The developer states that the technique has become “a standard part of the wind tunnel; In Formula 1, every hundredth of a second can decide on the pole position. In cycling, improvements in efficiency of bike and helmet can give a rider the extra energy reserves he needs to win the stage.”
He added, “For the first time in history this know how was grouped during one week for joint tests. Together with the expertise of partners like ILA this resulted in the ideal cocktail for innovation.” Toon Wils, an engineer at Ridley Bikes, added, “It is very interesting to participate in the various tests of other cycling products and for us to learn from each other. Most of all, the cyclist benefits from a total approach where every detail is fine-tuned and fitted within a total mind-blowing concept.”
Four-stage Tour winner: André “Gorilla” Greipel Thanks to Ridley and Lazer helmets for André’s picture
Windtunnel test Results
After André Greipel’s 4 Tour stage victories, we received many questions from all over the world on how and what we have been testing exactly in Bike Valley in terms of aerodynamics.
B
efore going into detail on the test results, we would like to stress that all results are made possible by a group effort involving different aero engineers from different companies. It was – at least for us, but probably also for the rest of the world - the first time that joint tests were carried out with 5 different companies all together in a wind tunnel facility. For testing, there were engineers from BioRacer, Ridley, Lazer Sport, Voxdale, ILA Gmbh and Flanders’ Bike Valley. Simply bringing together different profiles generated a host of new insights and discussions, which enabled us to make breakthroughs that we didn’t even expect at the start. So much for the official part (thanks everyone); let’s take a look at what we did exactly.
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At the end of 2013 we were contacted by ILA (Intelligent Laser Applications) from Aachen in Germany, who noticed that we were building a wind tunnel facility and explained to us that they had a very powerful measurement system called PIV which was also used for F1 testing. PIV stands for Particle Image Velocimetry, where small oil droplets are injected into the airflow; these oil droplets are lit up by a very powerful green laser and captured by a very fast camera (with a double CCD). The velocity and direction of each droplet in the flow (around a test objective) can be measured and is put onto a velocity flow map (see images). Compared to the traditional smoke stream that is sometimes used, PIV is a “million” times better since you can see and quantify precisely and in great detail what is happening to the object on a microscopic scale. Compared to CFD simulations, these results give you an
We succeeded in creating the first time trial dummy of a real 3D scanned cyclist. exact picture of the real situation, not an approximation, with no excuses and less debate about boundary conditions. Regarding the object, the first difficulty was to create a dummy of a cyclist in a time trial position (since it is not allowed to use real people in the laser beam - the intensity/ power is too high for that). We therefore contacted Trento Robotics from the Netherlands who were very experienced in 3D scanning and creating 3D dummies. After inviting one of the fastest Germans in time trials within recent months, we succeeded in creating the first time trial dummy of a real 3D scanned cyclist. To give an impression of the measurement detail, we created a new Ridley seat post with specific micro aerodynamic improvements (a vertical groove) and used this to see the improvements:
These pictures show the velocity map around the object: you can see exactly how the airflow is attaching itself to the seat post; in the first case (with no groove in the seat post) the flow is easily lost and a big wake can be seen behind the seat post. In the second picture you can see how the flow attaches itself to the object, giving rise to a very small wake behind the object. There are 2 big advantages of a smaller wake (in German “der Sog”, or “zog” in Dutch) behind the object; first of all you get less resistance (under pressure behind the object), and secondly (and also important in cycling) it will be more difficult for riders behind you to stay within a smaller wake and take advantage of this. The small surface changes are difficult to measure with traditional drag forces measurement cells since it is only a small zone of change, but with PIV you can focus on one specific horizontal or vertical plane and really zoom in to the cause of aerodynamic improvements! So much for small objects. We also tested new BioRacer cycling wear with specific fabrics (resulting in more than 30 seconds of improvement in 1 hour of cycling); with PIV it became possible to analyse the air flow around the shoulders and on the back in order to fully customize the aerodynamics. In the picture below you can see the airflow around the shoulders (in a horizontal plane); by using different kind of suits, we were able to determine the suit with the best attached airflow and that produced the smallest wake. When looking at the images of the Tour the France we again saw the importance of a small wake behind the cyclist; at the moment we saw Degenkolb coming from behind Greipel to make a final push, you can imagine that our team of aero engineers was looking more at when he left Greipel’s wake than at the sprint itself. At that moment we felt pleased that we also pushed our limits to keep his wake as small as possible… Now more than ever, cycling is about not giving away too much aerodynamic advantage to your opponents.
Launch of URBAN NOMAD II
The urban Nomad was designed and developed by the Belgian based company ‘The Opportunity Factory’. It is an electrical bike trailer, which can be connected to any type of bike, be it a road bike, city bike, touring bike, racing bike, mountain bike.
At EUROBIKE, we launch the European version of our electrical bike trailer, the URBAN NOMAD II. The Urban Nomad II is unique in its kind. It has the proprietary ‘FOLLOW ME’ functionality. Thanks to this functionality, the trailer cancels weight & resistance; the rider will ride as if there is no trailer behind. Via our unique easy click system the trailer is connected to the bike with one click. The Urban Nomad II has an extremely handy and durable design, which enables you to transform the trailer into a freight trailer for carrying luggage or groceries, a pet transporter for your favourite pet, a child trailer for transporting your kids, or any type of trailer for any type of luggage. A permanent backlight ensures higher visibility when riding your favourite bike.
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the European version of our electrical bike trailer
The Opportunity Factory Contactperson: Dirk Verhaeghe
+32 (0) 495 58 23 09 dirk.verhaeghe@theopportunityfactory.org www.theopportunityfactory.org
The Opportunity Factory The Opportunity Factory is a start-up company with a successful track record. TOF was founded by a group of enthusiastic entrepreneurs with a combined résumé of 130 years experience. It is our strength and part of our DNA to look at problems as opportunities by using our imagination, creativity and entrepreneurship. We create affordable sustainable products and this creates opportunities for a new generation of entrepreneurs and local social enterprises. We focus on energy & mobility. We have turned this ambition into reality with the launch of the Urban Nomad, the electrical bike trailer. It allows you to ride your bike comfortably while carrying an extra load.
This pioneer to the Urban Nomad II was nominated for the OVAM ECO DESIGN AWARD in Belgium in 2014. As with the Urban Nomad II, it is our intention to develop and market products that will enable people to solve day-to-day problems & challenges by themselves. All our products will be in line with our values: • • • • • •
Honest and fair Simple Durable and easy to repair Keeping value through time Upgradable Adaptable to individual needs
Also looking for partners/distributors in The Netherlands, Denmark, UK and other European countries
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Smart Mobility Solutions has developed an electronic
Electronics optimizing bike security, mobility and road safety On the security side the mechanical security of a classic framelock remains unchanged. It also functions in the same way to keep it familiar and easy to use. Instead of opening the lock with a key it now unlocks using RF ID, Bluetooth LE, NFC or even a simple 4 digit code. By adding communication technology inside of the lock you can always define the exact position of your bike, be alerted when your bike is moved or stolen and activate live tracking.
CONTACT Tycho Verbelen Tel: +32 (0) 496 23 16 71 tverbelen@smartmobilitysolutions.be www.smartmobilitysolutions.be
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Flanders’ Bike Valley - magazine
On the mobility side it is the ideal bikerental and bikesharing tool without the need for expensive infrastructure like payment terminals or specific bikeracks. In a rental setup the user can communicate directly with the bike. If you want to share your bike with family, friends or colleagues you can simply grant them access from distance without all the hassle of exchanging keys. If your bike brakes down during a trip you can connect with the roadside assistance using the on board mobile communication and gps position. For repair services at home you can easily grant access to the mechanic, let him repair your bike and lock it safely after finishing. No need to stay at home or hurry to get to the shop in time.
framelock that can turn every bike into a smart one. The Smart Mobility Solutions electronic framelock is also the ideal tool for registration of your trips to work, offering automated reports for bike compensations. If smart infrastructure is present the lock can be used to optimize bike flows in urban areas and grant priority to cyclists. During all rides data can be collected to get insight in bike usage and make recommendations for future improvements of cycling infrastructure.
Why is our product innovative?
The road safety aspect is in full development and focuses on bike 2 vehicle and bike 2 infrastructure communication. Using this emerging technology the bike claims actively its position in the busy traffic without the need for fixed detection infrastructure. Reducing the number of accidents with cyclists involved is our main drive.
The electronic lock is available in different versions with or without long range mobile communication, extra protection cable, display and key pad. .
Because it integrates new technologies in a known and trusted product that is accessible for everyone. Because it improves the cycling experience and green mobility in an automated way. Because it lets the bike claim actively its place in traffic.
SHARE YOUR BIKE
UNLOCK YOUR BIKE WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE
RIDE SAFELY TO YOUR DESTINATION
MANAGE YOUR BICYCLE ACCES
SHARE YOUR BICYCLE WITH PEOPLE YOU CHOOSE
Preview
of the new Bike Valley building
and the BikeVille Incubator
BikeVille is the name for a new 2400m2 building, where there is space for around 25 start-ups or spin-offs of existing companies, all related to cycling.
E
ven international companies looking for a central base in Europe and who would like to be surrounded by other cycling-related companies are welcomed and will definitely enrich the existing Bike Valley ecosystem. The façade of the BikeVille building has 15 golden windows, representing the golden ideas in the open innovation process which flows through the building. This gives the incubator a very modern and contemporary look and feel.
r u o y k o bo e c a p s k r o w now
BikeVille expects to welcome around 10,000 visitors each year, providing the incubating companies with the opportunity of showing their latest technologies. There will be the option of entering BikeVille via a cycling bridge, which will enter the building on the first floor. There a concept store (experience lab) can be found where you can get to see different kind of cycling technologies and services. This provides the starting companies with the opportunity of developing their new products very close to the market; and, since the Netherlands and Belgium are really fond of cycling, it will be easy to gather feedback from the early adopters who will be among the visitors. The biggest advantage of working in BikeVille is that you will easily be able to connect with new customers and distributors (who will also visit your neighbours such as Ridley and Bioracer): networking and business development made easy!
More than 50% of the units already booked
BikeVille building under construction - to be opened on April 1st 2016 Marc Hufkens - Co-founder & Managing Director & Bert Celis - Co-founder and CEO
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Flanders’ Bike Valley - magazine
A conceptstore and top sport restaurant OPEN FOR ALL VISITORS Bike Valley is still looking for entrepreneurs to join the BikeVille Incubator, as well as for mature concepts that can be showcased to 10,000 visitors a year as a demonstrator in the concept store.
In most cases we will also offer the opportunity of having a look inside the wind tunnel and feeling what it is to be standing (leaning forward) in a wind tunnel at speeds of over 70km/h.
After entering the concept store, you will have the opportunity of visiting the wind tunnel itself (area of 600m2). The wind tunnel is currently being built with the support of TUDelft and the input of VKI (Von Karman Institute). There will be a separate control room (also on the first level) which gives you access to the wind tunnel facilities and which allows you to get to meet the aero engineers, who will be testing new products or the positions of professional and semi-professional cyclists. During PIV testing (PIV = Particle Image Velocimetry, tests to determine aerodynamic flow using a laser measurement system), it will be necessary to wear special glasses to enter the wind tunnel control room. From the control room, the 6m test section of the wind tunnel can be viewed.
Besides a visit to the wind tunnel, there will be the option of visiting Ridley Race Productions, BioRacer and RsPrint (Runner Service Lab), together with a race or time trial on Circuit Zolder in the evening (all within less than 5 km); this will give you a total view of the whole Valley which you will remember for many years to come‌ For group visit bookings to Bike Valley in 2016, please send an email to experience@flandersbikevalley.be or visit www.flandersbikevalley.be where there is a link to book experiences online (starting in 2016).
Join the Bike Valley community To enter new markets At Bike Valley we are aware that 90% of the innovations that fail, are unsuccessful due to market-related issues. Joining the FBV community network, you meet new interesting people, experience new technologies, share the passion for modern business and create new opportunities. To benefit from state-of-the-art R&D We organize, we inform, we promote, we share in order to give your business the right exposure or added value. Open innovation is our motto and innovation is open to you too, as a member.
A E M O C E B
Do not hesitate !
R E B M E M
Fill out the form and let’s get in touch ! Your name Company name Your e-mail Your phone number Your website
Please indicate your fields of interest: Interested in ambassadorship of the Flanders’ Bike Valley community
(free)
Interested in receiving both online information and the Flanders’ Bike Valley magazine Interested in company membership and the Bike Valley Ecosystem
(75,00 € / year)
(starting at 600,00 € / year)
Please scan this page and send it to bert.celis@flandersbikevalley.be or call +32 497 57.59.59
Or fill out this form online on our webpage www.flandersbikevalley.be/members
www.flandersbikevalley.be
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Flanders’ Bike Valley - magazine
meet
our members Bicycle & sporting good industries
Cycling & sport experience & events
Technology – Automotive - Design industries
Business Services, HR, IP
Clusters,knowledge, government
Federations
Flanders’ Bike Valley - magazine
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2015-2016 CALENDAR WALL DATE
EVENT
LOCATION
16/09/2015
European Mobility Week – Bike Valley demonstrators
Esplanade European Parliament, Brussels
29/09/2015
Smart Bike Partner MATCHING EVENT
Flanders’ Bike Valley
01/04/2016
Opening Event of New Bike Valley Facilities
Flanders’ Bike Valley
19/04/2016
Tourism & Cycling Partner Matching Event
Flanders’ Bike Valley
30/05/2016
Workshop for Bike Retailers on Company Bikes
Flanders’ Bike Valley
06-07/06/2016
EPSI Annual Conference
Flanders’ Bike Valley
16/06/2016
Mobility Congress with VIM (Institute for Mobility)
Flanders’ Bike Valley
23-27/08/2016
Eurobike Bike Valley Booth
Friedrichshafen
27/09/2016
Smart Bike Partner MATCHING EVENT
Flanders’ Bike Valley
11/10/2016
Cycling Innovation Fair (only new stuff)
Flanders’ Bike Valley
FO:
N LATEST I
valley.be
ersbike www.fland
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