Ultrasvelte bikes

This is good news for cycling enthusiasts who are weight-weenies. Bike frame stiffness depends on the quality of the carbon used, and on the manner in which the carbon is woven and bonded. Carbon fibers are categorized in K-units. The amount of K-units is defined by how many thousand filaments each fiber contains. The smallest and most expensive carbon is the 1K-fiber. 1K is woven in narrow strands and produces the highest stiffness values in all directions.

Storck Bicycle in Germany uses the patent pending VVC process and 1K carbon fiber to build its latest Fasenario bike with a dramatic (120 to 145 Nm/°/Kg) stiffness-to-weight ratio: Frame weight comes in at just over 850 g (1.87 lb). Pair that with Storcks Stiletto Light UMS fork and you have a frame and fork combo that weighs only 1.18 kg (2.6 lb).