EFBe Prüftechnik - Fatigue test service for bicycle frame, fork, handlebar, stem, seat post and

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Fatigue tests of safety relevant components

Fatigue tests (service strength tests) are essential for the quality assurance of lightweight constructions and for the development and optimization of new products, because they help to evaluate the risk of a fatigue fracture.

On the components

all fatigue tests according to

the European standards EN 14 764 (trekking/city bike), 14766 (MTB) and 14781 (racing bike) or

the enhanced EFBe standards.

are performed.

The customer selects the standard, for EFBe tests also the performance level, such as High Performance MTB (HPM). If requested, we can perform fatigue tests according to the customers specifications too.

All tests are controlled and documented by the test stand control system VELO CONTROL. A controller cares for precice compliance of the target load values. The required number of load cycles for EFBe standard tests is fixed at 100,000. The standard components tested are:

Frame
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EFBe fatigue standard is the FULL TEST, consisting of three test segments that the test sample must successfully withstand in succession. The single test segments are corresponding to the three loading cases below.

Out-of-saddle (bottom bracket) : Load caused by powerful long distance cyclists. The test was developed by EFBe and adopted by EN standards.
Rider load (seat tube): Loads that are exerted by heavy riders from the seat onto the frame. EFBe’s test set-up is equivalent to the EN standards.
Jump (head tube): Loads that occur as a result of jumps, obstacles and braking are conducted via the front fork into the frame. EFBe’s test set-up is not identical to EN standards.

These three loading cases are part of the frame TRI TEST. For special rear frame problems two additional load cases can be fatigue tested:

Rear wheel load and
Rear disk brake load

Frame test order form

Fork
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EFBe’s test set-up for rigid front forks is equivalent to ISO 4210 and EN standards. Suspension forks are tested using the standard set-up, however, not in their fully extended state, but rather at 50% spring deflection. This test is part of the fork TRI TEST.

For hub and disk brake forks the EN standards are requiring a second fatigue test.

Fork test order form

Handlebar/stem unit
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Test consists of two test segments according to EN standards:

antiphase
in phase

The EFBe set-up is equivalent to EN standards. For racing handlebars it is, however, different to the standard set-ups, as this leads to unrealistic fracture images of the high-end handlebars. This test is part of the handlebar/stem TRI TEST.

Handlebar/stem test order form

Seat post
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The EFBe test set-up is extensively similar to EN standards for MTBs and trekking/city seatposts. It is applied for Race seat posts too. The angle of the seat post is fixed at 70 degrees. This test is part of the seat post TRI TEST.

In the Race bike standard 17781 two different tests are prescribed.

Seat post test order form

Crankset unit
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EFBe’s test set-up is extensively similar to EN standards. Because there the outer sides of the cranks are subject to insufficient stress, the load input according to the EFBe Standard is, similar to the riding out-of-saddle frame test, at a lateral angle of 7.5 degrees. This test is part of the seat post TRI TEST.

For MTBs EN 14766 prescribes a second fatigue test.

Crankset test order form

load input Out-of-saddle

load input Rider load

load input Jump

Last Update: 07.03.2011,16:05