Taipei Int'l Cycle Show Holds 1st TAIPEI CYCLE d&i Awards
2012/05/30 | By Quincy LiangThe 25th Taipei International Cycle Show (TAIPEI CYCLE 2012), held March 7-10, also staged the first-time the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i Awards.
Hosted by the TAITRA (Taiwan External Trade Development Council) and the TBEA (Taiwan Bicycle Exporters' Association), and organized by the iF Taiwan of iF International Forum Design GmbH of Germany, the contest received 207 entries, 74 of which won prizes this year, with all the winners being displayed during the trade show. Five of the winners received the Gold Award for exceptional innovation and design.
Y.C. Chao, CEO & president of TAITRA, praised the d&i awards for being a take-off platform for MIT (Made-in-Taiwan) products into the global market through the promotion channels of TAITRA, as well as a prime communication platform for manufacturers, designers, dealers, importers/exporters and retailers.
The jury this year consisted of famous designers and bicycle industry experts worldwide, who evaluated entries based on level of innovation, quality of design, choice of materials, environmental impact, range of function, load capacity, safeness, universal design as well as brand value and branding; while the products were entered in four categories: bicycles, components, clothing and equipment for cyclists, and accessories.
Hiroaki Tanaka, head of GEO design, Tokyo, Japan, expressed being impressed by the entries this year, that Taiwanese companies now play a significant role in the international bicycle industry, and that a basic understanding of functional design is required to narrow the gap between excellent and non-existent design solutions in the future.
Summary of Winners
Category: Bicycles
Product: OBO ATX | bicycle
Company: Giant Manufacturing Co., KTD, Taichung/Taiwan
Designer: Giant Manufacturing Co., KTD, Taichung/Taiwan
The design is simple, with hidden cables and seat post to achieve streamlined frame. The integrated handlebar meets the demands of ergonomic comfort. The hidden lock features simple design and achieves lightweight. The use of ductile aluminum alloy causes a slight distortion of the back triangle for damping effect.
Jury's Remarks: "This bike looks simple only at first glance--if you take a closer look, you will see the wonderfully balanced proportions and the consistent attention to detail. Everything is perfectly coordinated. It is simply great!"
Product: SABS Frequency Brake | ABS braking system
Company: Ke Chiuan Technology Corp., Taichung City/Taiwan
Designer: Ke Chiuan Technology Corp., Taichung City/Taiwan
SABS Frequency Brake is the first anti-lock braking system for bicycles ever invented worldwide with the following features:
1. Brakes with a 100% mechanical structure without electric, hydraulic or pneumatic force. The higher the speed, the higher the frequency generated.
2. Certified by SGS (No TH70035/2011).
3. Meets EN standards for braking distance.
4. It is safe to slam only the front brake in the below situations:
- On 30% slope of ARTC at 57 km/h.
- During a 53.6 km road test from altitude 3,275m down to 480m in rain, with the highest speed reaching 67.4 km/h.
Jury's remarks: "Finally a simple, revolutionary ABS for bicycles! It makes cycling easier and safer. In addition, the design is simply excellent!"
Product: Sealant Compatible Tire | Bicycle tires
Company: KENDA Rubber Ind. Co., LTD. Yuanlin Town/Taiwan
Designer: KENDA Rubber Ind. Co., LTD. Yuanlin Town/Taiwan
The Sealant Compatible Tire (SCT) can be considered a cross between tube type and UST (Universal System Tubeless) type tires. When used with a liquid sealant, SCT tires form an air-tight seal, similar to the UST tire, but can be used on almost all bicycle rims. SCT tires have an additional layer of material built into the casing of the tire that allows it to be compatible with various chemicals in liquid sealants. However, this material is thinner and lighter than its UST counterpart. The benefits of SCT tires, when used with sealant, include allowing the rider to use lower air pressure as well as to take full advantage of the liquid sealant to seal most punctures or cuts.
Jury's remarks: "This bicycle tire is an outstanding technological innovation--it marks the beginning of a completely new era in biking! And it makes cycling easier by doing away with an old nuisance.”
Product: Kool Knight Chain | Bicycle chain
Company: KMC Chain Industrial Co., Ltd., Tainan County/Taiwan
Designer: Ming Hsiao Hsieh, Steven Yang
KMC Chain Industrial Co., Ltd., Tainan County/Taiwan
KMC has specially developed a brand new chain for extreme BMX riding, the Half Link Kool Knight Chain. The unique design can reduce serious destruction of chains from extreme stunts, freestyle and glide to ensure the chain structure provides more protection, minimizing damage to effectively prevent breakage. In addition to its superb functions of high tensile strength, durable chain structure and stylish design, the half link also fits all types of cogs with different teeth numbers. KMC Half Link Kool Knight Chain provides riders with the best transmission efficiency and safety.
Jury's remarks: "The Kool Knight Chain is a combination of two chain technologies that make the sum greater than the parts—resulting in an outstanding product that looks great, too!"
Product: flow | e-bike
Company: Fairly Bike Mfg. Co., Ltd., New Taipei City/Taiwan
Designer: Fairly Bike Mfg. Co., Ltd., New Taipei City/Taiwan
Inspired by simplicity, the 'flow' e-bike resembles an ordinary sports bike. Nevertheless, the source of power, or the battery, is integrated into the seat post, which most cyclists take while they park and lock their bikes, which avoid theft of the seat post. The design of the 'flow' has been registered in Switzerland, while patent applications have been filed in Switzerland, the EU, the U.S., Taiwan and China.
Jury's remarks: "The 'flow' stands for a completely new category of electric bike. The drive mechanism is not hidden, but it still looks good, with balanced, simple design that is appealing.”
Summary of other TAIPEI CYCLE d&i Award Winners
Product: Bar-end Lamp | Lamp
Company: Direction Co., Ltd., Taiwan
Designer: Direction Co., Ltd., Taiwan
This multi-functional device installed on the end of a handle bar is a turn signal, a three-way LED light with a beeper. Push the power button to switch modes. The device enhances safety at night by raising visibility to oncoming traffic from both directions. A good feature is easy removability to prevent theft and accidental damage.
Product: ATL Pike | Safety Lighting
Company: A-TEAM Design Group Co., Ltd., Taiwan
Designer: A-TEAM Design Group Co., Ltd., Taiwan
The ATL Pike is an advanced, patented safety lighting system for bicycles with the following features: wireless protocol, brake warning light, turn signal, super-flux LED lighting, intelligent software/controls and IP66 waterproof/durability, just to name a few. The ATL ensures cyclists' maximum safety and visibility while helping to reduce the chance of traffic accidents.
Product: dbRevO Power Wheel | E-bike kit
Company: Tung Keng Enterprise Co., Ltd., Taiwan
Designer: Tung Keng Enterprise Co., Ltd., Taiwan
The Tung Keng (DK City brand) self-developed dbRevO is the easiest kit to convert bicycles into an electric-bike, with all-in-one design including easy installation, stylish wireless LCD console, and universal compatibility. Just change the front wheel to dbRevO, install the wireless console and safety power-off brake, then power on to rise.
Product: LEV | Height adjustable seat post
Company: Kind Shock Hi-Tech Co., Ltd., Taiwan
Designer: Kind Shock Hi-Tech Co., Ltd., Taiwan
The LEV hydraulic seat post offers the user infinite height adjustability via a carbon fiber remote lever. The cable is fixed and does not lengthen or sag when the seat height is lowered. A two-bolt micro-adjust head in 27.2, 30.9 and 31.6mm diameters with 100mm to 150mm travel makes the LEV compatible with nearly all bikes and all riders. The LEV's reset speed can easily be adjusted by the rider using a standard shock pump; while the cable can be routed cleanly.
Product: AGT | Automatic gear transmission
Company: JD Components Co., Ltd., Taiwan
Designer: JD Components Co., Ltd., Taiwan
The Automatic Gear Transmission (AGT) is a revolutionary automatic shifting system specifically designed for TranzX PST e-bikes. A choice of either automatic or semi-automatic shift modes provides a superior and effortless riding experience while improving the e-bike's energy efficiency. AGT technology optimizes the power ratio, achieving higher throughput and greater range. Perfectly integrated into the TranzX PST drive system, the computer-controlled system automatically changes gears at the right points to assure optimal power support. AGT is compatible with coaster brakes.
Product: VXD3 Tubeless | bicycle wheels
Company: Alex Global Technology, Inc., Taiwan
Designer: Alex Global Technology, Inc., Taiwan
The new tubeless pro wheel, VXD3 Tubeless, has patented eyelet improved rim design, enabling easy assembly with standard components without special nipples. The VXD3 Tubeless is the newest MTB wheel made of EXA alloy for extra strength and lightweight. With welded joints for better wheel balance, the wheel accepts 15 mm thru axle or quick-release.