Just wondering, Why isnt beryllium used in bike parts? Wouldn't it be really light? I know it is a carcinogen, but it doesnt seem like it would deem it usuitable for bike parts. I dont know too much about this, but the idea came to me in class the other day.
Beryllium for bike parts?
- Thread starter norcalbiker
- Start date
american bike co made a beryllium frame a few years ago, but the cost was retarded - over $20k. evidently not cost effective stuff.
I worked with Beryllium quite a bit before I got into designing bikes. The manufacturing process is incredibly cost prohibitive, plus beryllium manufacturing is limited to machining on most cases, forging is just not as simple as with aluminum. Every Taiwan and China factory is familiar with aluminum, whereas beryllium specialists are few and far between. Add in the fact that the material is super expensive to start, and that many bike companies don't even employ any kind of engineering staff, and you start to see an answer forming. I would bet that many companies have never considered beryllium as an option, let alone worked with the material in enough of a capacity to try to adapt it to a bicycle component in a cost effective manner.
mmm, CuBe...
We used to use it a bit in mechanisms (Space instruments for ESA), but it's WICKEDLY nasty stuff, and not many people will work with it - the dust is super-carcinogenic and makes your legs drop off (or something).
I toyed with the idea of making some one off parts (stems/pedals that sort of thing) but decided against it.
We used to use it a bit in mechanisms (Space instruments for ESA), but it's WICKEDLY nasty stuff, and not many people will work with it - the dust is super-carcinogenic and makes your legs drop off (or something).
I toyed with the idea of making some one off parts (stems/pedals that sort of thing) but decided against it.
that, and if ever you scratch it, the dust is highly highly toxic
Beryllium babies border on epidemic status in southern states. Not funny stuff.
They made metal matrix frames of out Boralyn. I don't think they had any Be in them...