Kestrel EMS Pro 650C
Kestrel's New "Aero" Fork
In the world of the competitive triathelete, technological advancements can bring the rider one step closer to the fastest time. In 1999 IDE designed the 17-inch Kestrel KM40 Airfoil which is an ultra lightweight, one piece, carbon fiber bike frame. Since its launch it has proven its worth by achieving a six-second average reduction in times trials testing and its sales orders consistently surpass production capacity. Kestrel-USA and industrial designers IDE have taken the revolutionary design of the KM40 to an even higher level by creating an "aero" fork with the same qualities and attributes as the frame. The EMS Pro 650C fork shares the airfoil design elements which give the KM40 its unrivaled appearance and function. IDE's designers welcomed the opportunity to assist Kestrel in the development of a fork design that makes an exceptional bicycle frame even better.The EMS Pro is designed to pierce through the air with minimal resistance. It has a flowing surface and a blending form that was developed in correlation to the functional requirements and dynamic posture of the KM40 Airfoil bike frame. By utilizing the same NURBS modeling technology used to design the KM40, IDE and Kestrel developed a bicycle fork that employs the same aerodynamic sculptural form.
Like the KM40, the EMS Pro 650C fork combines lightness and strength, an essential combination for riders.
Starting with basic criteria such as achieving weight requirements and the optimum amount of caster for
facilitating a comfortable ride, IDE and Kestrel moved to more complex issues. Among these were fitting
the brake mount into the airfoil profile of the fork while achieving a minimal drag coefficient, and angling
the EMS Pro at an optimum degree.
Lightness And Strength
The EMS Pro 650C is an extension of Kestrel's original 650C EMS fork. It was developed using geometric logic
and state of the art computer aided design tools. By using the original EMS fork geometry and basic design
input as a point of departure, IDE and Kestrel developed characteristics for the EMS Pro directly in Rhino 3D.
By virtue of Rhino's advanced NURBS modeling technology IDE and Kestrel worked closely in the development
and fulfillment of Kestrel's desired requirements. With his vast experience as a developer and rider,
Kestrel President Preston Sandusky spent a significant amount of time with the IDE designers in the effort
of developing a fork that truly complemented the outstanding design of the KM40 Airfoil.Research And Expertise
Difficult problems were solved through research and IDE and Kestrel's high degree of combined experience. After
only two days of computer modeling IDE machined an ABS plastic prototype fork that was taken to Texas A&M for
extensive wind tunnel testing. As a result, subtle geometric modifications were made creating a design that
is essentially the perfect size and weight, with the longest possible airfoil through its form without compromising
the structural integrity of the fork. These real world fine tuning capabilities exemplify IDE's extensive knowledge
and expertise in manufacturing and production. Their success at excelling in multiple disciplines sets them
apart from other design firms.
