the experimental Clarity bike

Experimenting on the materials side of how bicycle frames are engineered and consecutively produced, Designaffairs Studio in Munich, Germany, a multidisciplinary design studio, examined many high-tech plastics, acrylics and polymers, before setting on Trivex used primarily for optics lens and on eyewear (especially those of kids), as a better alternative to Polycarbonate due to its high impact resistance.

The polymer allows for injection moulding, which should facilitate affordable and precise mass production while enabling unique form factors and a multitude of possible colour combinations. Initially the polymer was used in military applications. Even though the compound has a lower density than polycarbonate & acrylic, it’s advanced performance includes exceptional impact resistance and ultra-light weight. It also offers outstanding chemical resistance and thermal stability as it is virtually unaffected by most organic and inorganic chemicals and withstands very hot and cold temperatures. See the studio’s info and photos here.