Among the different application sectors in which we can find additive manufacturing, there is one that stands out in particular. This is the use of 3D printing in cycling, either to create specific part or entire bicycles. Undoubtedly, this method offers great advantages when it comes to manufacturing more optimized models that improve the experience of cyclists. Now there has been yet another success story for 3D printing in this field. Silca has recently added to its catalog a derailleur hanger made with metal 3D printing. The goal? To obtain a more precise part that facilitates the shifting of gears located on the rear wheel of the bicycle.
Silca is a firm dedicated to the development of parts, accessories and tools for cycling. The brand’s mission is to elevate the user experience by designing products that combine innovative technology and craftsmanship in one place. Now, they are exploring the benefits of additive manufacturing to offer greater protection and shifting efficiency. The derailleur hanger is a sensitive and very important element in the operation of the bicycle. Due to wear and tear, they can become bent or lose alignment with respect to the longitudinal plane of the bike. In fact, just a few millimeters of deviation are enough for the derailleur to malfunction. So what would be the best solution to avoid the problem?
The derailleur hangers that most bikes are equipped with are designed to yield or bend when they receive a certain force, whether it is an impact or simply leaning the bike on the derailleur side. This avoids damaging the frame or the derailleur itself. Current electronic derailleurs exert a lot of force when shifting the chain, causing a slight bending of the derailleur hanger with each shift, which reduces the precision of the shifting action. Silca, with its new derailleur hanger, aims to avoid this flexing by creating a component that remains more rigid in normal use. Thanks to the use of 3D printing, the design of the component is created so that, in the event of an impact, it can break without a problem and thus maintain the protection of the frame and derailleur.
Although the brand does not specify which additive manufacturing technology has been used, we know that it is a titanium part. Therefore, it does seem likely that it was made with laser powder bed fusion, though of course that is not the only metal 3D printing technology that is compatible with the material. The result? The company promises 5 to 6 times more rigidity than standard derailleur hangers, in addition to slightly reducing the weight of the part. The new Silca hanger is available generically for frames using Shimano Direct Mount and SRAM UHD, and for models from 9 specific brands. These include Cannondale, Canyon, Cervelo, Factor, Giant, Pinarello, Scott, Specialized, and Trek. These temples are already being used by many users as well as EF Education-EasyPost riders.
