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Found: Predator RF20 aero road bike generates custom carbon, made in the US

Predator RF20 aero road bike_custom carbon road bike made in USA, gold
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Previewed earlier this year, Tennessee-based Predator Cycling is working on a new custom carbon RF20 disc brake aero road bike, entirely made to order in the US. Using Autodesk Fusion 360 generative software to virtually optimize the structure & aerodynamics of the design, Predator says they have created “the most efficient frame on the road”.

Predator RF20 custom, US-made carbon aero road bike

Predator RF20 aero road bike_custom carbon road bike made in USA, prototype
all images c. Predator Cycling

Having built everything from fully-custom aero ti pursuit bikes, aluminum cruisers & carbon cross bike over the last 15 years, in addition to cockpits & carbon repairs, Predator Cycling is dialing back their frame production to focus on one product – the RF20 aero road bike.

Predator RF20 aero road bike_custom carbon road bike made in USA, Fusion 360 rendering

Using Autodesk’s powerful Fusion 360 generative design software, Predator has created a modern aerodynamic disc brake road bike frameset that they can customize to each buyer.

Custom carbon development

Predator RF20 aero road bike_custom carbon road bike made in USA, rendering complete

The Predator RF20 aero road bike still seems to be a project, as we’ve only seen documentation of one complete bike as a proof-of-concept. But the concept has piqued our interest.

Predator RF20 aero road bike_custom carbon road bike made in USA, CFD rendering

Leveraging Predator custom carbon experience, the RF20 was completely designed & developed virtually – from aerodynamics, to force-optimized tubing profiles & individual elements, to carbon ply layups, to structural integrity testing.

Predator RF20 aero road bike_custom carbon road bike made in USA, carbon mold details

From that point, Predator 3D-prints & CNC-machines their own molds & bladders in-house, just outside of Nashville, TN. Laying up the RF20 by hand, one-at-a-time – Predator creates the frame from a one-piece monocoque front triangle, mated to separately molded chainstays, seatstays, dropouts, and their own seatpost.

Tech details

Predator RF20 aero road bike_custom carbon road bike made in USA, Fusion 360 sample geometry

The complete details remain quite thin for a bike at this price point. But that can possibly be chalked up to the fact that Predator hand crafts each bike specifically for the buyer, giving them the chance for further customization – with custom molds possible for every frame.

Predator RF20 aero road bike_custom carbon road bike made in USA, rendering front end

What we do know is that the RF20 has a sleek aero-optimized profile with minimized frontal area, including an hourglass headtube for the tapered 1.125-1.5″ fork. Its frame shaping is quite similar to many modern aero road bikes, with a horizontal toptube, deep aero seatpost with a hidden clamp, dropped seatstays, and a rear wheel cutout.

Predator RF20 aero road bike_custom carbon road bike made in USA, Autodesk Fusion 360 rendering

The RF20 does however have a slightly more organic shape, with the downtube pulled back from the front wheel, and narrow fork spacing.

Predator RF20 aero road bike_custom carbon road bike made in USA, rendering T47 BB

The bike is disc brake only, featuring flat mount calipers and 12mm thru-axles. It also gets a T47 threaded bottom bracket with an 86.5mm wide shell for max stiffness.

Predator RF20 aero road bike_custom carbon road bike made in USA, rendering angled rear 

Predator does not specifically define the RF20’s cable routing, but complete bikes are only available with electronic groupsets.

Predator RF20 – Pricing, options & availability

Predator RF20 aero road bike_custom carbon road bike made in USA, frameset

Predator Cycling says they have been facing pandemic supply chain delays throughout the year, but are still accepting pre-orders for the new RF20 which they expect to be able to deliver in early 2021. Current lead time is claimed at 8-12 weeks, putting likely delivery into late March or April of the coming year. The custom RF20 is available as a frameset of frame, fork, seatpost & headset for $5250 with standard geometry in five sizes. Fully custom geometry adds an extra $1500.

Predator RF20 aero road bike_custom carbon road bike made in USA, angled

Or standard complete bikes start at just under $9000 with a Ultegra Di2 build. A discount of 10% off either option is being offered now for all pre-orders, as Predator’s “production preparation continues in full swing”.

PredatorCycling.com

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11 Comments
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Greg
Greg
3 years ago

It’s funny that the crank rendering doesn’t include chainring bolts, arm pinch bolts, or a preload cap.
On the other hand, what derailleurs are being rendered? Generic? Almost SRAM like, but possibly 2021 Dura Ace? I doubt it, but it would be cool.

Greg
Greg
3 years ago
Reply to  Greg

i was momentarily excited by gold brake rotors, but alas…

Jon
Jon
3 years ago
Reply to  Greg

I like that they rendered a Dura-ace Di2 build with mechanical disc brakes..

Obdiy
3 years ago
Reply to  Jon

many manufacturers use free models from grabcad.com . it’s the manufacturer of the frames, not all the components. this crank model is very good, the only one available for this purpose. they also use my models of the saddle, brakes, this is convenient for designing, but not very beautiful in the photo)

blahnblahblah
blahnblahblah
3 years ago
Reply to  Greg

same!

Verne
Verne
3 years ago

Will it be UCI legal?

Joenomad
Joenomad
3 years ago

I wonder if your deposit is refundable if they can’t deliver on the promised date.

Adam Rice
3 years ago

I’m curious about this. Most carbon bikes are laid up in negative molds, cut from aluminum, which enclose the outside of the bike, with the interior voids filled by air bladders. This seems like it would be cost-prohibitive for custom frames. The alternative, using a styrofoam positive mold, laying up the carbon on top of that, and bagging the whole thing, is used by some hobbyists (the styrofoam is melted and drained later), but I’m not aware that it’s been used in commercial bike-frame production. That’s what it looks like they’re doing here.

made
made
3 years ago

it says cnc mold and bladders in the article if you actually read it 😀

Adam Rice
3 years ago

Thanks. Missed that.

Phil
Phil
3 years ago
Reply to  Adam Rice

They are using a mold material that is cheap enough for single use, but strong enough to withstand adequately pressure bladder. To me, that is the wizardry they are pulling off.

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