Case Study: Kú Cycle achieves faster triathlon bike design validation with Hexagon's MSC Apex and MSC Nastran

Kú Cycle utilizes MSC Apex & MSC Nastran to design triathlon bikes and performance solutions that will change the sport forever

Kú Cycle, a Dutch bicycle manufacturer, aimed to completely redesign a triathlon bike to aerodynamically manipulate airflow like a Formula 1 car. This required virtual prototyping to optimize the frame, fork, and handlebar structure before committing to expensive physical manufacturing. To meet this challenge, they partnered with vendor Hexagon and utilized its MSC Apex and MSC Nastran software for finite element analysis (FEA).

Hexagon's solution enabled Kú Cycle to perform rapid design trade-off studies and evaluate static, fatigue, and impact load cases in near-real-time. Using MSC Apex and MSC Nastran, the team identified and resolved a critical structural issue, leading to a patented Fork Airstream Technology (FAST). This Hexagon-focused strategy gave Kú Cycle the confidence to invest in production, resulting in the successful launch of the structurally efficient and aerodynamic Kú TF1 bike designed for high-performance triathlon competition.

Kú Cycle

Richard McAinsh

Technical Director