The use of 3D printing to produce a bike frame yields some interesting advantages. The ability to print out custom lugs which are joined with custom cut tubesets allows for bike that are made to measure with a quick turn around. It also seems to allow for a company like Flying Machine to easily explore new bike designs and even create a new model based off of customer wants.
Their latest creation, the M29 Bomber is a perfect example of what’s possible when all of those factors come together. Slated to be a new model for 2015, the M29 came about when a customer approached Flying Machine to create an urban bike that was capable of running mammoth 29″ tires. From there, the design morphed into something that could handle 29″ knobby tires as well as being suspension corrected for 100mm travel suspension fork. Taking it a step further still, Flying Machine is working on a second version of the M29 Bomber will even be capable of running 3″ 29+ tires…
Joining a number of completely new models and product changes for Flying Machine in 2015, the M29 is first being produced in steel with stock sizing. But considering they have already received requests for a titanium version, a full custom ti option will happen at some point according to Mat Andrew of Flying Machine.
Built with an external lower bearing head tube, the frame will be capable of running tapered suspension forks.
Using an eccentric bottom bracket with split vertical dropouts, the frame is capable of running belt or chain drive and single speed or internal gear hubs. Soon to follow will be the M29 Plus which will offer the needed clearance for 29×3″ tires.
Pricing for the standard M29 will start at $2,595 with configurable drivetrain and build options.
