Carbon Tubes + Aluminium Lugs: Does This MTB Frame Actually Work?

Описание: After months of design work, testing and bonding, the VHP-X prototype finally hit the trail.

This episode is about the first real rides on our bonded carbon enduro frame — and the next steps in validating the concept. The frame uses pultruded UD carbon tubes bonded into CNC-machined aluminium lugs, a construction method that allows very precise geometry control and a highly modular development process.

The first rides felt extremely promising. The bike feels stable, predictable and the suspension platform works exactly as intended. As a small side note, one of the early rides even resulted in a KOM on a local trail — which obviously doesn't prove anything scientifically, but it's at least a good sign that the bike works well on the trail.

Because the frame relies on bonded joints between carbon tubes and aluminium lugs, we also wanted to validate the bonding concept with independent testing. Together with FH Münster we tested shear samples with different surface preparations to better understand the behaviour of the adhesive joints.

Interestingly, the results also validated a simple in-house testing method we built in the workshop using a crane scale. That means we can run meaningful development tests internally and iterate faster during the design process.

With that validation we bonded frame number two, which will soon be sent to EFBE for standardized laboratory testing including fatigue and impact testing. These tests will help determine the final structural category of the frame.

The goal is to reach a gravity category comparable to our aluminium VHP frames.

If everything goes smoothly, the next big step will be opening pre-orders for a small initial production batch.

CHAPTERS

00:00 First Ride on the VHP-X Prototype
01:12 First Riding Impressions
02:05 Accidental KOM
03:00 Bonding Validation – FH Münster Tests
05:10 In-House Shear Test Rig
05:45 Bonding Frame #2
06:00 Why the Lugs Are Purple
07:00 Frame #2 → EFBE Testing
07:20 What's Next for the Project

Project background

The VHP-X project explores a modular frame architecture using pultruded carbon tubes and bonded aluminium lugs. The goal is to combine the structural efficiency of carbon with the development flexibility of a lugged construction.

The entire development process is documented openly in this series — including design decisions, testing, failures and improvements.

Let us know in the comments what you'd like to see next:
more riding footage, lab testing at EFBE, or deeper dives into the engineering behind the frame.