Ceepo 2016 whitepaper Katana & Viper

2016 Viper / Katana Technical Information

2016 CEEPO Viper / Katana Technical Information

Contents 1.

Aerodynamic CEEPO History Page 3

2.

Objective / Goal with Viper / Katana 2016

Page 3-4

3.

Wind Tunnel Page 4 4.

Test Procedure Page 4 5.

Viper Set-up Page 5 6.

Katana Set-up Page 6 7.

Viper features Page 6 8.

Katana features Page 6 9.

Tube shapes Page 7 10.

Storage Solutions Page 9 11.

Geometry and Adjustability Page 9 12.

Stiffness Data Page 9 13.

Wind Tunnel Data Page 10-11

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CEEPO 2016 Viper / Katana Technical Information

1. CEEPO History Named after one of the greatest ancient Samurai warriors, CEEPHO, Nobuyuki “Joe� Tanaka started CEEPO in Aichi, Japan in 2003.

Joe Tanaka started racing in the sport of Triathlon in 1990. Being unsatisfied with the common road bikes used in his first 2 years of racing, Joe decided to custom build his very first Triathlon racing machine. With the help of some Japanese Triathlon specialty stores, the first aluminum model was completed in 1993. When Tanaka put this new racing machine to the test at a long distance Triathlon he was rewarded with 90 minutes improvement over bikes he had ridden in the past.

By 2000 carbon fiber bike technology had become more popular and affordable in the bicycle industry. Tanaka Joe Tanaka on 2016 Viper realized the need to convert to produce carbon fiber bikes. However, despite the advantage of light-weight and comfort, most manufacturers were still designing carbon bikes using road bike geometry. Not many focused on Triathlon specific geometry. In the continuous search of the best Triathlon specific carbon fiber bicycles, CEEPO concept started forming its unique shape.

Tanaka started his quest for the ultimate machine by visiting various carbon frame producers. In 2002, he joined forces with a notable manufacturer from Taiwan and started with small quantity productions. Thus, CEEPO began its journey into a Triathlon specific bicycle brand.

2. Objective / Goal with Viper / Katana 2016 Viper The R&D team had big expectations with the new 2016 Viper project. The main goal was to hide most of the nutrition and tools and thus gain a few watts by making the bike more aero.

Typically triathletes have problems and bad race experiences related to storage of food, repair tools and spare parts. For this project, we teamed up with Torhans to hide the nutrition and make it easy for the athletes to access it during the race. Also we recognize the need for the athletes to keep nice a tight aero position as much as possible when racing; so food access needs to be simple and easy to reach.

With Torhans, we were able to integrate the bento box and stem to improve aerodynamics while keeping storage simple and convenient for the athlete.

Stem covers conceal cables and junction box while ensuring a smooth transition between stem and bento box.

We also developed our own tool and spare tube storage box. The Viper will remain simple and easy to travel with, making it a logical choice for the elite long distance athlete seeking a super fast aerodynamic machine!

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CEEPO 2016 Viper / Katana Technical Information

Katana The 2015 Katana is the most popular bike at CEEPO. Our athletes like the handling, weight and versatility. On the other hand, some athletes did not like the rear aero brake and the difficulty of traveling and fixing the rear brake. So the goal with the new Katana was to keep and improve all strong points of this successful frame and also solve the aero rear brake issue.

At CEEPO, first and foremost, we are a Triathlon brand. Therefore, the 2016 Katana was designed without any compromise to reach our target. We didn’t have to follow the UCI regulation.

On the new Katana, we achieved our target goal at 1100 grams. This is going to be the perfect bike for all the technical bike legs around the world. Our Katana rides like a long distance tri bike and climbs like a road bike.

2016 Katana

Before releasing the Katana, we logged 10,000+ km by elite athletes on prototypes on top of the usual battery of factory fatigue tests.

3. Wind tunnel Facility: 2016 Viper and Katana have been tested at the A2 Wind Tunnel in North Carolina (USA). A2 Wind Tunnel has been in operation since the spring of 2006.

A2 can proceed to test at speeds up to 85 mph plus they can scale the results and thus provide precise estimations of results at various speeds. A2 is capable of testing many different types/styles of vehicles.

4. Test Procedure The test procedure was established based on our experience with wind tunnel testing including the technical support of Dr. Nobumasa Sekishita from Japan University and the staff at A2.

Viper and Katana were tested with the wind speed of 33km and the yaw angle ranging from -15° to +15°.

The speed was based on our CEEPO athletes’ average speed during the 2014 Ironman World Championship.

Test Set-up For the new Viper and Katana, we tested both models with the same athlete for the entire test. Our objective was to achieve realistic data as close as possible to what happens in the real life of athletes out on the bike course.

We strongly believe in real life scenarios, real athlete data for our aero testing, so we choose a real athlete and his normal racing position for our wind tunnel tests. No dummy can replicate a real athlete pedaling on a real bike in wind tunnel testing.

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CEEPO 2016 Viper / Katana Technical Information

Viper 1st Test: We tested the Viper with the CEEPO Bento Box and Toolbox with 1 bottle between the arm.

2nd Test: We tested the viper with the old good fashion way (Ironman set up). With the gel tape on the top tube and the spare tire attach under the seat.

Katana We tested the Katana without accessories

Athletes Profile Rick Lapinski Age: 32 Height: 5’10” (178 cm) Weight: 153 lbs (69 kg) Saddle height: 74cm Sponsor: Ceepo, Zoot, Garmin, GU 4 time Ironman Kona finisher

2016 Viper with athlete in A2 Wind Tunnel Facility

5. Viper Set-up Viper #1

Viper #2

Frame size M

Frame size M

Crank: Sram Force X1 172.5 Rear derailleur: Sram Force 11s Rear caliper: Tektro direct mount Front brake: Tektro direct mount Shifter: Sram R2C 11s Cassette: Sram Force 11s- 11-28 Wheels: Zipp 808 Handlebar: Zipp Vuka bar Stem: Zipp Saddle: Prologo Pedal: Shimano Bottle cage: Tools box: CEEPO Bento box: CEEPO / Torhans

Crank: Sram Force X1 172.5 Rear derailleur: Sram Force 11s Rear caliper: Tektro direct mount Front brake: Sram Force Shifter: Sram R2C 11s Cassette: Sram Force 11s- 11-28 Wheels: Zipp 808 Handlebar: Zipp Vuka bar Stem: Zipp Saddle: Prologo Pedal: Shimano Bottle cage: Tools box: X-Lab Wings Bento box: 4 Gels taped on the top tube

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CEEPO 2016 Viper / Katana Technical Information

6. Katana Set-up Frame size M Crank: Sram Force X1 172.5 Rear derailleur: Sram Force 11s Front caliper: Sram Force Rear caliper: Tektro direct mount Front brake: Sram Force Shifter: Sram R2C 11s Cassette: Sram Force 11s- 11-28 Wheels: Zipp 808 Handlebar: Zipp Vuka bar Stem: Zipp Saddle: Prologo Pedal: Shimano Bottle cage: -

7. Viper Features • • • • • • • • • • • •

CEEPO integated stem with 10mm adjustability Frame size M weight 1250g Integated fork weight 590g CEEPO reversible seat post (76/78 degees) BB EVO386 Adjustable front derailleur hanger compatible for oval chainrings Direct mount braking system Electric ready with internal battery Torhans/ CEEPO Bento box CEEPO Tools box Cables routing strategic points to reduce aerodynamic drag Hiding a normal direct mount caliper behind our downtube extension

8. Katana Features • • • • • • • •

•

Frame size M weight 1080g Fork weight 375g CEEPO reversible seat post (76 / 78 degees) BB EVO386 Adjustable front derailleur hanger compatible with oval chainrings Direct mount braking system Electric ready with internal battery Direct mount rear calipers will bring back braking power as well as adjustability and versatility; those can go from narrow to wide rims easily, are available in many versions and are as easy to service as any normal caliper Hiding a normal direct mount caliper behind our downtube extension

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CEEPO 2016 Viper / Katana Technical Information

9. Tube Shapes Viper Tube Shapes Chainstays We are using the Katana oversize asymmetric chain stays on the Viper as well (50x18 on crank side) + (50x24) for maximum power transfer and rigidity. The rider still has our original CO2 cartridge holder.

The twist chainstay shape further increases rear end rigidity.

Clearance For maximum tires flexibility you can fit up to 28mm tires.

Seatstays We keep the seat stay to the same height as the fork, so they are hidden behind it for better aerodynamics.

Downtube Truncated airfoil shape to achieve the perfect blend of aerodynamics, rigidity and weight savings; Another virtue of this design is a significant gain in side and crosswinds.

Downtube flat section also improve airflow around bottle cage The flat front wheel cut out to maximize the aero advantage between the wheel and frame. This cut out design also improves tensional rigidity of headtube area for better power transfer as well as high speed stability.

Since 2013 Ceepo bikes have had a lowered downtube in order to hide it behind the fork crown. This design allows for a wider downtube, improving front end rigidity without sacrificing aerodynamics. The integrated fork front cone is designed to complete the headtube shape in order to form a deep aero foil shape.

Seat tube

Down tube

Headtube Designed to incorporate the integrated fork. Fork and head tube cone is very deep to give the athlete aero advantage in a head wind. The stiffness of the front head provides the athlete easy handling and stiffness for cornering.

Viper integrated stem Our goal with the integrated stem was to achieve a clean and aero front end while keeping simple and user friendly parts and assembly procedure. All this with a bento box and room to hide cables and Di2 junction. We worked closely with Torhans to blend a bento box with our front end assembly.

Downtube tail We wanted simple, easy to maintain, and efficient rear brake caliper. This is why we choose to adopt direct mount rear caliper. Our lowered downtube design extends below BB to smooth airflow and help makes the caliper as aerodynamically efficient as our previous models.

Other benefits of the design: Easy cable routing due to great access. Battery mount is also easily accessible.

Top tube Flat upper section of top tube is designed to increase front end rigidity, for better high speed stability, and improved power transfer.

Fork / Fork stopper Wide and Narrow blade to increase the front end aerodynamics. Innovative headset integrated fork turn stopper.

Cable routing Our 2016 cable routing is simple, easy to work with, and innovative; the result is less friction, improved shifting and braking, as well as easier maintenance.

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CEEPO 2016 Viper / Katana Technical Information

Katana Tube Shapes Chainstays The Katana oversize chain stays are asymmetric. (50x18 on crank side) + (50x24) for maximum power transfer and rigidity. Chainstay is mounted with Ceepo CO2 cartridge holder.

Clearance For maximum tire flexibility you can fit up to 28mm tires.

Seatstays We keep the seat stay the same height as the fork, so they are hidden behind it for better aerodynamics.

Downtube Truncated aero NACA shape (Kamm tail) downtube provide the following benefits / rigidity / light weight / improved crosswind aerodynamics while keeping front wind aerodynamics.

This strategy allows us to design a bike that will be lighter and also stiffer than a conventional flat aero tubed frame while both handling and performance are improved.

The flat section of the downtube also improves airflow around the bottle cage.

The flat front wheel cut out maximizes the aero advantage between the wheel and the frame at the same time increasing the front end torsional rigidity.

CEEPO signature since 2013 with a lower (Drop) hiding the downtube behind fork crown allows for a wider stiffer front section without aero penalty.

Seat stay

Downtube BB tail Simple solution to smooth airflow around direct mount brake caliper Easy access to all the cable routing to serve the bike Easy access to battery Allows water to exit frame fast in rain riding Top tube Flat top tube shape to improve front end rigidity and smooth transition between top tube and bento box.

Standard Bento box holes are there for any type of storage.

Downtube

Fork / Fork stopper The wide and narrow blade increases the front end aerodynamics.

CEEPO innovative fork stopper integrated in the headset to prevent handle bars / top tube collisions.

Cable innovative cable routing Our 2016 cable routing is simple, easy to work with, and innovative; the result is less friction as well as less maintenance.

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CEEPO 2016 Viper / Katana Technical Information

10. Storage Solutions When we started the Viper project, one of our goals was to help athletes manage their race nutrition as well as race tools and spare parts by incorporating storage solutions in the design.

We also wanted these items to improve overall aerodynamic efficiency of the bike.

CEEPO Toolbox The CEEPO Toolbox has been an arduous and ambitious project. We wanted a big and convenient box that was at the same time, light, small and aerodynamic; on top of that we did not want it to add too much weight to the bike ‌.some pretty conflicting goals.

Toolbox Specs Weight

Volume

260g 485cm3

CEEPO Torhans Bento Box Weight 90.8g Volume 245cm3 Designed to hold 4 to 5 energy gels

Bento Box

CO2 Cartridge Holder Holds two CO2 cartridges Cartridge holder weight 47g Adaptor weight 22g Toolbox

11. Geometry and Adjustability

CO2 Cartridge Holder

The CEEPO Viper/Katana frame has been designed for maximum comfort in the aero position, even in windy or technical bike courses.

With longer chain stays (39.5 cm) we are increasing stability, and improving chain line for better shifting.

We believe in a lower bottom bracket. Ours is set at 75 mm for a lower centre of gravity; improving aerodynamics by simply lowering the whole cyclist, another benefit is improved stability at high speed, enabling the rider to keep aero positions at high speeds.

Geometry of Viper is designed to be extra stable for high speeds, flat, and moderately hilly courses (like Kona).

It is our highway cruiser.

Katana geometry is more all around great stability but designed for all courses, even the hilliest ones like Nice and St.-Croix.

Both frames are suited for racing at the highest level.

12. Stiffness Data Viper 2016 vs. Viper 2015 Headtube 8% less stiff Bottom Bracket 5% less stiff Chain stay 20% stiffer We achieved our goal with the 2016 Viper with more overall comfort.

Katana 2016 vs. Katana 2015 Headtube 11% stiffer Bottom Bracket 12% less stiff Chain stay same stiffness The 2016 Katana will be easy to handle in tight corners and a little more comfortable.

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CEEPO 2016 Viper / Katana Technical Information

13. Wind Tunnel Data Saving compared to the 2015 models In January, we went at the Toyohashi Technology National University for testing our new 2016 Viper and Katana with Dr. Nobumasa Sekishita.

We had the chance to test one of the best Triathlon super bikes against the Trek Speed concept. Once again, this was our current and new 2016 CEEPO Viper & Katana.

Katana 2016 (at 0o wind angle)

vs. 2015 Viper

vs. 2015 Katana

vs. Speed Concept

10% more aero 12% more aero 7% less aero

Katana 2016 (at 30o wind angle)

vs. 2015 Viper

vs. 2015 Katana

vs. Speed Concept

2% more aero Same as before 11% more aero

Test at A2 wind tunnel with rider Viper 2016 with CEEPO storage vs. Katana 2016 with rider 0o wind angle Viper used 13g less drag and 3 watts less 15o wind angle Viper used 23g less drag and 5 watts less Viper 2016 with CEEPO storage vs. Viper 2016 regular setup with rider 0o wind angle 2016 Viper used 53g less drag and 11 watts less 10o wind angle 2016 Viper used 75g less drag and 15 watts less Fastest bike “out of the wind tunnel�

This is our ultimate goal, in fact, as there are no races won in the wind tunnel.

A Triathlon bike has to go fast out there in real life conditions.

How can we find true speed out of the famous wind tunnel?

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CEEPO 2016 Viper / Katana Technical Information

Ergonomic

Most of the aero gains are a direct consequence of rider positioning CEEPO are designed with short headtube, allowing a wide range of handlebar height positions to maximize athlete position.

CEEPO reversible seat post with narrow clamp is also designed to maximize adjustment range.

We lowered our BB with 2 goals; stability plus aero gain (by lowering the cyclist) Handling Our geometry is aimed at maximum stability at high speed; the idea here is to have the athlete in aero position as much as possible; simply said, the more often the athlete leaves the extensions at high speed; the more time he looses.

We designed our frames to be stiff at the headtube area so they will be and feel safe at high speeds. Again, designed to help athletes gain time by keeping an efficient aero position as much as possible.

Some bikes are so weak in torsion that even a gesture as usual as drinking can induce wobbling and make the bike difficult to handle at speed.

Numbers If you move from the aero position to an upright position at the same speed, you will have nearly 600gr of drag.

Power transfer Stiff chainstays and head tube area are critical for maximum power transfer when climbing and accelerating.

All the energy used to flex the frame is not available for make it move forward.

Basically said, there is no such thing as a fast bike in a wind tunnel ‌.no bike is moving forward in there.

Wind tunnel tests allow us to refine shapes and get more speed out of our frames.

So yes, the wind tunnel testing is critical tool to help achieve a fast frame ‌this frame still needs to be designed to be fast on road.

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CEEPO 2016 Viper / Katana Technical Information