Friday, 29 March 2024
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Hope & Lotus collaborate to push bicycle design boundaries

British bike brand Hope Technology is to embark on a new programme of research and development, data analysis and knowledge-sharing with automotive specialist Lotus Engineering.

The programme will cover topics including lightweight engineering, aerodynamics and advanced material manufacturing.

Despite hailing from the automotive industry Lotus has history in cycling through its engineering division, which was instrumental in the design and development of the Lotus Sport Bike ridden to gold by cycling legend Chris Boardman at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, and later the yellow jersey of the Tour de France in 1994. You can catch up with Boardman’s latest cycling advocacy efforts on the CI.N Podcast.

“Lotus is thrilled to be back in cycling for the first time in 25 years,” said Phil Popham, CEO Lotus Cars. “Innovation and ingenuity have always been part of the Lotus DNA, and working in collaboration with Hope is a fantastic illustration of how Lotus Engineering consultancy can support projects outside of the automotive sector.”

After years of success in racing Hope has recently moved into making complete bikes. After hiring British Cycling’s consultant on carbon, the manufacturer’s in-house knowledge enabled it to quickly establish a series of products to extend its carbon fibre arm, most notably the complete bike project.

“When we started making innovative, highly-spec’ed disc brakes, back in the late eighties, we didn’t imagine that Hope Technology would evolve into what it is today – a company with more than 150 employees hand-crafting components for both mountain and road bikes, 24/7,” added Ian Weatherill, Hope’s managing director.

“We are proud to have stuck rigidly to our philosophy, relentlessly pursuing only the best possible products. To be partnering with Lotus is certainly a great place to find ourselves in 2019, and it’s an exciting time for us all.”