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The talk of the MADE bike show two years running has continued to be the No. 22 Reactor but this time it’s closer to actual production.
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
If you aren’t familiar with the concept it’s a little like a steam punk exercise. What if we lived in a world where carbon fiber didn’t exist, never mind that this bike still uses a carbon fork and various other carbon pieces, and you wanted to make the fastest aero race bike possible. Instead of turning to carbon you used titanium because it’s light and strong. Maybe what you’d end up with is the No. 22 Reactor.
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
Except the shapes needed to create a modern aero race bike aren’t possible using titanium tubing. No. 22 instead turned to 3D printing to solve that problem. In turn, the 3D printing is part of what differentiates the v1 and v2 No. 22 Reactor.
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
Last year’s v1 No. 22 Reactor was, for the most part, a single 3D print. Which is great for headlines but if you’ve ever used a 3D printer it’s not so good for actual production. No. 22 explained that printing problems late in the process would result in huge losses of time and money plus it was difficult to be as precise as required.
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
This time the bike is the result of a partnership with a company called RAM3D of New Zealand. Instead of a single print it’s a parts kit consisting of nine prints that No. 22 then welds together. Of course, like the Mosaic, that also means that No. 22 has a bit more control of the final product. A nice knock-on effect.
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
No. 22 Reactor components
As it stands now, this is a concept bike but it was rideable. At least in theory as the show bike had some shipping damage. Don’t look too closely though, the concept is rideable and there are some choice pieces.
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
The groupset on this bike is SRAM RED AXS and there’s a Ceramicspeed aero oversized pulley. What you won’t see is the typical Ceramicspeed aero fairing as No. 22 has customized that a bit to match the bike. For the crank you’ll find a 5Dev piece with a custom machined No. 22 aero chainring.
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
The seatpost and bar/stem handlebar are both custom to the bike from No. 22. They also both have a steampunk quality to them with a sense of over-complication that somehow feels perfect. The seatpost attaches down below the top tube and floats through the upper part of the frame while the handlebar has a cover for the stem that hides all the internal routing.
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
For the wheels No. 22 turned to Cadex this year and went with the Cadex Ultra 50. Tires are Continental GP 5000s. The saddle is a Berk piece.
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
No. 22 Reactor path to production
This year the brand is closer but the No. 22 Reactor isn’t quite ready yet. Still ahead for the team are a few big pieces. The bike still needs final wind tunnel testing to refine and validate plus there’s still ride quality testing to do. On top of that production techniques aren’t set in stone yet.
Again, those are big hurdles but if you want to get in line early then No. 22 welcomes you. A $1000 pre launch deposit is available now at the No. 22 website.
Additional images
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
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(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)
(Photo Josh Ross/Velo)