Two high-performance competition bicycles — Alize and Diablo — were designed by BMW Group DesignworksUSA for NeilPryde. While NeilPryde is better known as the world’s leading brand for windsurfing sails and rig supplies, it wanted to extend its brand to expand on to the road. DesignworksUSA was tasked to translate NeilPryde’s successful brand attributes into bicycles that looked and performed as well as their counterparts made for the sea.

One of the biggest challenges DesignworksUSA faced was to design a high-performance bicycle that met the exacting regulations of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the organisation that determines all rules and regulations for the world’s major cycling competition. “The UCI regulations are extremely restrictive, creating an interesting challenge,” says Mr Magnus Aspegren, director of DesignworksUSA’s Singapore studio.

DesignworksUSA leveraged on its knowledge of carbon fibre and aerodynamics to come up with innovative design solutions within those rules. They looked at what bike riders needed and sought to see what opportunities were available to improve current bicycle designs, including the manufacturing process.

Alize and Diablo are the result of countless discussions both in DesignworksUSA’s Singapore studio and NeilPryde’s office in Hong Kong. Both bicycles are made with a specific type of carbon fibre that enhances strength without increasing weight. The bicycles are also highly aerodynamic. The Alize not only sports an innovative Extended Kammtail, but each of its elements — its frame, forks, wheels and components — are individually adjusted in its aerofoil profile to optimally manage airflow. The Diablo bicycle has an exoskeleton as its entire frame, making it stronger and also able to flow through air faster.

“The exciting challenge for DesignworksUSA was translating NeilPryde’s successful brand into a completely new industry with a fresh approach while keeping the essence of the brand,” says Mr Aspegren. Utilising a process of first, second and third read, DesignworksUSA ensured that the bicycles became both instantly recognisable while also attending to the fine details.

Finally, Mr Aspegren also credits the team’s enthusiasm for cycling to the successful results. “Singapore is fantastic for riding,” he says. “The city provides great opportunities for inspirational rides.”