| Technical Information
Our products are put through
extensive and stringent tests during the design and development stages.
In order to maintain a high level of quality, emphasis have been placed
on product durability, safety, comfort, rigidity and light weight. Coupled
with tight control in each process stage, we are able to produce carbon
fiber products that not only pass our strict criteria on strength, rigidity,
energy absorption and fatigue, but also have one of the the best finishes
available on the market. In short, they look and work beautifully.
Our process uses bladder-molded pre-preg which is a more stable process
that produces a higher quality product. The void content is controlled
to within 1%, similar to the standards set in the aerospace industry.
By comparison, the standard for the sporting industry controls void content
to within 3% only. Our frames and forks were tested based on industry
standards. The results can be found here.
Frame Materials
3k Carbon Fiber
Leader Bicycle has engineered a automated computer program to analyze
the critical zones of the part or frame so that carbon fiber material
is concentrated in the areas subject to the highest levels of stress.
We use high modulus, high strength carbon fiber compound that is 47% stronger
than standard and 6% stronger than High Strength carbon fiber, and is
27% stiffer. A 3K carbon weave final surface treatment increases reliability
and durability with no significant weight loss.
U6 Aluminum Alloy
Our proprietary ultra light U AL U6 aluminum alloy is 25% stronger and
20% more fatigue resistant than traditional 6061 aluminum alloy. We worked
with the suppliers of this material to develop custom tubes for our high
end frames. U AL U6 aluminum allows us to use very thin tubing without
sacrificing strength. U AL U6 tubing makes its appearance in our LD-735R
racing frames.
7005 Aluminum
7005 aluminum is slightly stronger than 6061 so it can mean slightly lighter
frames. We use 7005 aluminum for several of our frames because it is so
light and stiff.
6061 Aluminum
6061 aluminum is the workhorse of the bicycling world. It is used to manufacture
everything from frames to stems to cranks. It is relatively light, plentiful,
and easy to work with. We use 6061 aluminum for several of our frame styles
because it can deliver light weight for a very reasonable cost. |