Details

Breaking with the constraints of traditional road bike design, the Rael is a functional work of art. From taking a completely unique approach to handlebar ergonomics to changing how the stem and seatpost adjust relative to each other, I approached the development of the Rael as a whole rather than a frame and components.

Speed can’t exist without power. Further, significant power can’t exist without an efficient mode of operation. These relationships are paramount to the Rael ideal. Neither design, echnology, performance, nor any other aspect of a bicycle exists in a vacuum, which is why integration of components and frame are essential for a truly unique riding experience.

An extraordinary attention to detail sets it apart in the peloton. The graceful lines, inspired by F1 cars and Italian motorcycles, its graceful lines make no compromise when it comes to aerodynamics.

The airfoil-shaped downtube splits the air coming off the front wheel, then sends the “dirty” air back towards the convex seat-tube and fins. The arched, titanium fins located on either side of the triangular seat-tube are placed in such a way that they direct air inwards towards the seat-tube. The convex cross-section of the seat-tube then pushes the turbulant air away from the spinning rear-wheel.

The quick-release caps for the front-wheel are oriented in such a way as to mimick the shape of F1 splitters.

A complete rethink of the ergonomics of handlebar designs, the Rael features brake/shift levers that are essentially flipped upside-down compared to current systems. With the advent of electronic shifting, no longer is the shape of the lever dictated by the actuation of the cables.

Anyone that has descended a steep mountain knows that the most braking power comes from having hands in the drops, thus using the index finger to pull back the lever. While not the strongest digit, the index finger allows for the longest pulling distance and greatest modulation. By moving the pivot location for the brake to the bottom of the bars, the rider has increased modulation and power while riding on the top of the bars, much in the same location as the hoods are in modern-day systems.

Another benefit to this design is the ability to move the lever bodies in and out and also up and down the handlebar. This range of adjustment increases rider comfort and ergonomics.

Power developed at the pedals needs to be delivered efficiently. In order to make certain that every watt generated is being used, the Rael features a massive bottom-bracket shell. With the friction being spread out over a larger surface area, rolling resistence is minimized. 40 roller bearings make up the bottom-bracket for a smooth spin.

To make sure that everything is locked in place, the crank arms are bolted to one another in the middle of the bottom-bracket shell. The interface between the cranks and bottom-bracket is comprised of 50 teeth that mesh together to form a unique and incredibly strong bond.

In order for the stem sleeve to be molded into the fork crown, the regular way of assembling the frameset needed a complete reversal. The fork blades on the Rael actually extend past the head-tube and then join together at the top of the frame. The steerer tube then inserts down inside the head-tube with a headset cap keeping everything in place.

At Rael, we believe no material is perfect for every application. The concept’s monocoque front-triangle is a mixture of 1K and 3K carbon-fiber. In order to achieve the subtle aerodynamic features on the Rael, carbon-fiber was used as it can be molded into nearly any shape.

As the air surrounding the rear-triangle is typically “dirty,” aerodynamics plays less of a role. Instead, we focused on comfort. Multi-shaped titanium tubing is used for the chainstays, seatstays and seat-tube fins.

Rather than relying solely upon aerospace-grade epoxy to attach the various elements of the frame together, the Rael goes one step better by having the titanium rear-triangle bolt through the carbon-fiber frame surrounding the bottom-bracket shell.

The wheels on the Rael offer a unique approach to wheel building. Starting with 6mm wide, bladed spokes that are shaped into a V-pattern, the spokes actually start at the rim and continue around a flange molded into the hub shell. Then the spoke leads back toward the rim, creating a strong and adjustable connection between hub and rim.

With the Rael, not even the standard way of sizing bicycles remains untouched. When adjusting the saddle and handlebar height on modern bikes, they run parallel to one another. This would lead one to believe that humans only grow taller, not longer. When adjusting the stem on the Rael, the reach and height of the handlebars increases proportionally to that of the saddle height, making it easier for cyclists to find their ideal position.