Eurobike 2016: Rockingtor

Eurobike 2016: Rockingtor 3D Printed Protection

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One of the more unusual things we spotted at Eurobike were these prototype knee pads by Rockingtor. They incorporate some clever ideas, and Pau Rei took us through them.

Eurobike 2016: Rockingtor
These are very early prototypes, with many 3D printed parts. The surface finishes and exact shapes are not final.
Eurobike 2016: Rockingtor
The pads are completely modular, with everything replaceable. That way, if you tear through one of the softer parts, you don’t have to chuck the entire pad.
Eurobike 2016: Rockingtor
The polycarbonate shin guard is held about 5mm above the skin by the top and bottom closures, creating plenty of ventilation. We reckon they’ll look interesting with a coating of UK mud…
Eurobike 2016: Rockingtor
If you want a little extra ventilation on climbs, you’ll be able to unpop the knee pad and let it hang down.
Eurobike 2016: Rockingtor
Here’s a prototype polycarbonate knee shell…
Eurobike 2016: Rockingtor
and here’s a 3D printed polymer one. You might expect this to be hard plastic, but 3D print materials have advanced dramatically in the past few years, and this is extremely flexible.
Eurobike 2016: Rockingtor
SQUISH
Eurobike 2016: Rockingtor
Here’s the inside of the pad. Again, Pau asked us to stress that this is an early prototpe. They’re working on engineering prototypes now, and hoping to get a final version in October.
Eurobike 2016: Rockingtor
Right: full pad interior. Left: leg warmer, which seems to be optional and also helps with pad retention.
Eurobike 2016: Rockingtor
The straps are also lightweight, intended to be replaceable, and make the fit adjustable at every contact point.
Eurobike 2016: Rockingtor
Here’s Pau modelling them on a bike. Polycarbonate may seem like an unusual material choice, but it doesn’t crack during impacts and is used in bulletproof laminates.

David started mountain biking in the 90’s, by which he means “Ineptly jumping a Saracen Kili Racer off anything available in a nearby industrial estate”. After growing up and living in some extremely flat places, David moved to Yorkshire specifically for the mountain biking. This felt like a horrible mistake at first, because the hills are so steep, but you get used to them pretty quickly. Previously, David trifled with road and BMX, but mountain bikes always won. He’s most at peace battering down a rough trail, quietly fixing everything that does to a bike, or trying to figure out if that one click of compression damping has made things marginally better or worse. The inept jumping continues to this day.

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