"It almost feels anachronistic that 3D-printed titanium lugs bonded to carbon tubes would be a highlight of the world's biggest handmade bicycle show. But clearly, the path of frame building is evolving. From tiny one-person workshops up to larger-scale production manufacturers, bike makers are taking advantage of the flexibility of additive manufacturing. And especially for small, handmade builders, 3D printing allows them to customize bikes to individual buyers while delivering performance and styling that rivals the most advanced bikes on the market."
"At Bespoked just over a week ago, we spotted several handmade bikes combining carbon tubes and 3D-printed titanium - including the winner of the Best Gravel Bike award. Take a detailed look at two prototype gravel bikes, moving towards regular offerings from Curve & Kocmo. Then, a quick glance at similar techniques on the road from Bordure and Hilite. Curve 007 Kev prototype carbon & titanium gravel bike 2025 Bespoked Best Gravel Bike."
"Curve's 007 Kev ( read that name as double-O seven Kevin) is their latest hybrid construction prototype gravel race bike frame to mix titanium and carbon. But unlike their previous AirKev, then CarboKev, which only swapped in carbon tubes for the downtube, seattube & chainstays... this one goes all in. Every tube is carbon, with 3D-printed titanium junctions in between."
3D-printed titanium lugs bonded to carbon tubes are increasingly used in handmade and small-scale bicycle manufacturing. The technology enables bespoke styling, customizable geometry, and individualized carbon tube layups for tailored ride characteristics. Curve's 007 Kev prototype exemplifies full hybrid construction with every tube carbon and 3D-printed titanium junctions, delivering a stiff lower half for efficient pedaling and a comfort-oriented upper half to filter gravel buzz. Prototype gravel models from Curve and Kocmo move toward regular offerings, while Bordure and Hilite apply similar techniques on road frames. Additive manufacturing offers flexibility that rivals advanced production bikes while supporting small builders.
Read at Bikerumor
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