DoubleD Dual Chamber Technology

The unique properties of internally reinforced tubes were discovered while designing the Meta VTT 26” Trials Bike. The top/downtube of the VTT 26” uses a single hybrid split tube with a horizontal reinforcement to increase the strength and torsional rigidity of the frame. By reducing the amount of twist in the bottom bracket area, the rider’s power is transferred more directly to the ground. In the case of BikeTrials, more torsional rigidity results in higher sidehops, larger gaps, and less fatigue.

The success of the dual chamber feature in our trials bikes gave us an idea – if we could apply this idea to road bikes, it could result in a huge improvement over conventional single-tube design. Recognizing that the downtube is by far the single most important tube in terms of power transfer in conventional bikes, we set out to design a new style of downtube. The solution was an internal vertical stringer which runs down the entire length of the tube, from the headtube to the bottom bracket shell. This greatly increases the rigidity of the entire bottom bracket area. The result is reduced frame flex and more efficient transfer of power, especially during sprinting or hill-climbing.

NanoCarbon

The exclusive HotMelt carbon material, used in our MSSL line of frames and forks, uses a special process by which epoxy resin is impregnated directly into the carbon sheet, rather than spread on using the more conventional epoxy-bath method. The result is a reduced and more consistent resin portion in the carbon tubes. This allows for a lower overall frame weight, higher strength to weight ratio, and increased frame stiffness for superior power transfer and vibration damping.

Our ultrahigh Modulus NanoCarbon Fibers (tensile strength nearly twice as high as conventional fibers) provide higher internal strength than regular carbon fiber cloth. This allows us to reduce the weight of the frame by approximately 300g while actually increasing the strength and durability over conventional carbon frames. We tailor the precise thickness and construction of each tube to create the perfect balance between strength, torsional rigidity, vertical compliance, and vibration damping. All of our frames have a Unidirectional (UD) finish, meaning that no additional outer woven layer is needed to constrain the filaments.

Redux Vibration Reduction

Our DoubleD downtube and box chainstays provide more than enough stiffness to ensure efficient power transfer. Using computer-aided modeling and stress testing, we tailor the design of each tube in the rear triangle for the perfect combination of low-frequency compliance and high-frequency damping.

Vertical compliance in the chainstays allows the rear wheel to move slightly during low-frequency hits, maintaining contact with the road at all times. This ensures that the wheel can track around irregular surfaces, and reduces the effect of impact to the rider’s body over less-than perfect roads. The seatstays do not need to provide any torsional rigidity, so they are designed primarily to absorb high-frequency vibration. Road vibration is transferred to heat energy as the seatstays flex, resulting in greater comfort over long distances.