The No. 22 Bicycle Company has made history with the creation of the world’s first fully aero Titanium road bicycle.
Fabricated using a mix of 3D printing and in-house fabrication, the new Reactor is set to launch in 2025, but the prototype was shown in person for the first time at the MADE bike show in Portland, Oregon.
A New Standard in Aero Titanium
The Reactor has always been the most race-oriented road frame in the No. 22 lineup, and the Reactor Aero is the world’s first truly aero-optimized Titanium race machine.
Developed in-house and subject to multiple CFD simulations, the Reactor Aero is scheduled for wind tunnel testing and validation prior to launch.
Testing to date confirms a 30-40% drag reduction when compared to the current No. 22 Aurora.
As with all No. 22 models, every piece of the frameset is either made by or specifically for the brand, providing an unrivaled level of control and precision in the manufacturing process.
More Than Just Aerodynamics
When developing the Reactor Aero, No. 22 aimed not only to set the bar for Titanium frame aerodynamics but to enhance performance in all other areas as well.
Drivetrain stiffness, which the Reactor is known for, was further improved, resulting in likely the most efficient power transfers available on a Ti frame.
To achieve this, the down tube, bottom bracket intersection, and chain stays were fully redesigned and optimized by utilizing the formal freedoms offered by 3D printing.
All other tubing profiles and intersections were also built from the ground up to help temper drivetrain stiffness with the legendary ride quality titanium is known for.
A Technological Marvel
The current prototype is a fully 3D printed frame, printed monolithically from Grade 5 titanium powder, save for the seat tube.
In keeping with the previous generation of the Reactor, the seat tube is a carbon ISP, this time with an aerodynamic profile, co-developed and produced by July Bicycles.
The final version will be printed as sections that can be machined and welded in-house, allowing No. 22 to utilize their decades of expertise resulting in tighter controls over quality, tolerances, and finishes.
The Future of Titanium Bikes
Bryce Gracey, Co-Founder of No. 22 said the 3D-printed titanium has phenomenal structural properties.
“We are able to add stiffness in high load areas like the bottom bracket, dropouts, and head tube for very little weight while playing with structure in fine detail throughout the frame to ensure it delivers the ride quality we need,” stated Gracey.
The ability to print internal support structures anywhere in the frame gives us a level of control over the ride quality that has not been possible before
The Reactor Aero was unveiled at the MADE Bicycle Show in Prototype form, and officially come to market in 2025.
Images courtesy of No. 22 Bicycle Company
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