Carbon: hoelang nog?
Geplaatst: 31 jul 2006 13:58
Wou even het onderstaande bericht onder de aandacht brengen. Het is al langer bekend dat carbon steeds meer gebruikt wordt voor militaire doeleinden, waardoor de aanvoer voor de fietsindustrie steeds problematischer wordt. M2Racer lijkt het eerste slachtoffer te zijn... Wie gaan volgen is de vraag... En gaat de high-end fietsindustrie reageren door andere hoogwaardige materialen te gaan gebruikten... Citaat van www.cyclingnews.com.
M2Racer closes
The global shortage of carbon fiber claimed its first bike industry victim at the end of last month when US boutique parts maker M2Racer closed its doors.
According to a statement on the company's website, "In the past few weeks, M2RACER's supply of high modulus prepreg carbon fiber has been shut off due to the heavy worldwide military and aerospace use. Carbon fiber is used in nearly 50% of the M2RACER product lineup. In addition, the price of titanium and exotic aluminum alloys that we use has nearly tripled in the past 18 months. Due to the unavailability of carbon fiber and excessive material cost increases, M2RACER can no longer be able to provide our valued customers with lightweight, high performance, and well priced cycling components.
"M2RACER has closed its doors permanently as of June 30, 2006."
Unfortunately, cost increases and difficulties in obtaining raw materials likely are hitting other higher-end and boutique operations. Unless this trend reverses itself (or at least levels off), M2Racer may be among the first victims but will almost certainly not be the last.
M2Racer closes
The global shortage of carbon fiber claimed its first bike industry victim at the end of last month when US boutique parts maker M2Racer closed its doors.
According to a statement on the company's website, "In the past few weeks, M2RACER's supply of high modulus prepreg carbon fiber has been shut off due to the heavy worldwide military and aerospace use. Carbon fiber is used in nearly 50% of the M2RACER product lineup. In addition, the price of titanium and exotic aluminum alloys that we use has nearly tripled in the past 18 months. Due to the unavailability of carbon fiber and excessive material cost increases, M2RACER can no longer be able to provide our valued customers with lightweight, high performance, and well priced cycling components.
"M2RACER has closed its doors permanently as of June 30, 2006."
Unfortunately, cost increases and difficulties in obtaining raw materials likely are hitting other higher-end and boutique operations. Unless this trend reverses itself (or at least levels off), M2Racer may be among the first victims but will almost certainly not be the last.