Yes the full front triangle was done in printed negative moulds, including the top and down tube. It was a good exercise and I learnt a lot, but if I’d do it again I would probably make a quick negative mould on printed plugs and work with prepregs instead. It’s just so much more convenient to work with.
The chain slap protector is cast from a soft PU casting resin in a 3D printed mould. I’ve done the same thing for my last bike and this works extremely well. I was considering printing directly in TPU, but do not like the shine, and the PU I chose is a lot softer (it’s 50 shore A now). Printing with supports in TPU is also not easy.
Got to ride it for the first time properly on trails. Everything feels really solid and the whole ride was uneventful - just how we like it for a first outing.
Geometry feels really dialed for me for a trail bike. Compared to the enduro I went with a slightly longer stem, shorter reach and slacker seat tube angle, which feels much more appropriate on flatter trails.
Light wheels and short travel definitely is fun, and i enjoyed it much more than i thought i would (i usually ride longer travel bikes)…
The shine on the printed TPU goes away in use when subjected to abuse of drivetrain. I have printed a few STUF chain tamers and they come out shiny but after a but of riding they end up dull and matte.
