At first glance, the shimmering silver gravel bike with its mudguards and pannier rack does not look very spectacular. Only on closer inspection do you realise the excellent craftsmanship of the unpainted eternal metal titanium - and notice the flowing shapes that are not usually found on titanium frames.
The Falkenjagd Aristos R, available as a naked off-road racer or equipped for everyday use as shown here, utilises exclusive 3D printing technology for individual frame components on the frame and fork. The head tube, bottom bracket sleeve and thru-axle dropouts on the frame, the fork crown and dropouts as well as the entire stem are made of printed, stainless titanium. The printing technology makes it possible to produce hollow parts that would be impossible using conventional welding and forging techniques. The head tube and stem, for example, feature perfectly aligned internal cable routing. The adjoining, regular frame tubes fit snugly over the tube sockets flowing out of the head tube. Both workpieces are welded together with an overlap of 20 to 30 millimetres and ground flat at the transition.
The Falkenjagd Aristos R uses them to create a design language that was previously only known from carbon frames. The result is high-strength, extremely resilient components with minimal use of materials. According to Falkenjagd mastermind Andreas Kirschner, the printed parts provide greater strength in areas where they are advantageous in the frame and fork. These brilliant printed parts are supplied by a highly specialised service provider in Taiwan, which uses a laser gun to produce customised hollow parts from powdered titanium. An expensive, exclusive process.
Consistency has its price
The result of this technology, the Falkenjagd Aristos R, rides remarkably smoothly, confidently and calmly. It follows even the slightest steering movement and seems to convert every acceleration into propulsion without loss. The wide, off-road-compatible tyres support this riding sensation. They run surprisingly quietly on tarmac and excel off-road with precise grip, confident tracking and comfortable damping. The character of the Aristos R is deliberately designed to be versatile: Despite its sporty character, the bike can also be used on the - slightly longer - journey to the office and all everyday routes. You just have to like sitting a little stretched out on the bike.
In everyday use, however, the consistently sporty concept requires compromises. For example, you have to do without a rear kickstand and the cables and brake lines routed through the stem make maintenance extremely time-consuming. Even mounting the rear light requires prior consideration due to the internally routed cables. Mounted on the carrier, it is very difficult to remove from time to time. If it is mounted on the seat post, on the other hand, it hinders the use of a bikepacking saddlebag. A battery rear light with rubber straps is perhaps the best solution.
The most important facts about the Falconry Aristos R
- Model: FALKENJAGD Aristos R
- Price: 7750 Euro
- Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Test bike weight: 10.9 kg
- Permissible total weight: 145 kg
- Frame: Titanium, 3D printing, welded; thru axle
- Fork: Titanium, 3D printing, welded; thru axle
- Circuit: Campagnolo Ekar
- Translation: 38/9-42 Z., 1x13, 467 %
- Brakes/ø: Campagnolo Ekar Disc/160 mm
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One R 45-622
- Lighting system: SON Edelux, SON 28 12
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Exceptionally plush handling; top handling; well-graded 1x13 gears; tyres with plenty of grip and comfort
- Minus: Very expensive; rear kickstand not possible; light foot contact with mudguards at the front
Conclusion on the Falconry Aristos R
3D printing in bicycle frame construction is extremely rare and expensive. Yet. The design possibilities offered by printing technology are revolutionary. Much freer than with previous welding and forging technology, components can be designed that come closer to the ideal in terms of material use, statics and strength than anything before. With wider use of 3D, prices will also fall.
