BB Lowracer

26-01-08
The frame is finally finished.
The varnish messed up the white paint a little bit but it is now too late to do anything. The derailleur lug has been added and I am now preparing the chain stoppers.
Final weight is 1650g as you see it.


The paint job is underway.

I have started the paint job. I used a polyester clear coat to get a nice finish then I used plastic electric tape as a masking tape for the spray can.
A friend will spray a gloss varnish soon.
The next stage will be bond the idler thread insert.
Stay tuned!


This is the new lowracer frame for Barbara Buatois, the current double world champion. This frame will be dedicated to road racing while her Cobra 'ultra'lowracer will only be used on tracks because it can't be used on bumpy roads.
The frame is build over a polystyrene foam core and covered with a couple of carbon socks (+/-45deg and 0deg). The bottom braket is coming from an old aluminium Mountain bike frame. The front derailleur post is kept for ease of construction and because there is less risk of being damaged by the clamp.
The current weight before painting is 1402g.
The final weight should be about 1500g.

More pictures soon.

Class 40' Construction

A good friend of mine is currently building his own Class 40'. (new European racing Offshore sailing yacht). Elie Canivenc (ECAN) designed and built a mini transat boat (6.5m) two years ago and decided to build a larger and more exiting sailing boat.
As a structural engineer, I give him some help and advises on the structural side. He has done a great job so far and the boat should be ready to set sails next summer.
The hull is made with multiple pre made flat panels infused a large table. This method is used so that a single man can build every panels alone, trim and assemble them. The infusion process garantees minimum weight and time saving. Chined boat have been very competitive in this class before they reach high speeds.
Enjoy!
PS: the green tuff is only peel ply.