technology

DIRECT CONNECT TECHNOLOGY
By using the most advance technologies available in carbon design, our product development group and engineers have created a frame that is feather light. Weighing in at 1 kilo (960g for a 57cm) – our 2007 road frame wears a unique stiffness:weight ratio making this frame the lightest and most durable frame Raleigh as ever made.


SO WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
{1} Each tube starts as sheets of High Modulus carbon fiber that are laid-up for specific tube shape and function requirements. Creating our Advanced Carbon Engineering Evolution Tube sets. {2} After a carefully controlled cooling process the tubes are miter cut to very specific lengths for assembly into a frame. {3} Each tube is bonded to another tube while being held in place in a frame jig ensuring exact alignment. {4} The joints are then over-wrapped with a series of high Modulus carbon fiber strips to reinforce the joint. Then the entire frame (still mounted in the frame jig to ensure exact alignment) compresses each joint using proprietary methodology and tooling. Then is re-heated so the resin of the wrapping strips bonds with the tubes creating a very strong and sculpted joint.

THE ADVANTAGES
We are able to produce a frame that eliminates the use of lugs and overlapping joints, which reduces weight significantly. Another advantage to constructing frames with the Direct Connect Technology is the ability to individually give each tube their own specific carbon lay-up (known as our A.C.E. Evolution {scroll down to see this story}). Lastly, this technology gives us flexibility in engineering geometry that is race-ready.

2007 BICYCLES UTILIZING THE DIRECT CONNECT/A.C.E. EVOLUTION FRAME:
Team Frame/set
Prestige
Competition
Supercourse
Cadent Carbon


A.C.E (Advanced Carbon Engineering) EVOLUTION
A.C.E Evolution is the designation used to describe our High Modulus Carbon that is used to create the carbon tubes used in the Direct Connect Carbon frames. It is made up of Uni-Directional carbon layers that are specifically laid up to create a unique profile for each carbon tube.

The Evolution of A.C.E reduces the weight of carbon without sacrificing the strength or stiffness. We have eliminated the cosmetic/aesthetic weave finish to further shave grams and designed the tubing to compliment our Direct Connect process. The result – a frame that is so intelligent it will respond without hesitation to your every move.

Enjoy the Ride!