Renishaw & British Cycling engineering 3D-printed bikes for LA 2028 gold

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October 15, 2025 Applications 162

British Cycling and Renishaw are extending their partnership to develop advanced 3D-printed bike components, focusing on aerodynamics and performance for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

In a move to secure a competitive advantage for the next Olympic cycle, British Cycling and UK-based engineering firm Renishaw have announced the renewal of their successful technology partnership. The collaboration will focus on pioneering a new generation of track bikes for the Los Angeles 2028 Games, with advanced metal 3D printing at its core.

This extension marks the third consecutive Olympic and Paralympic cycle for the partnership, which began prior to the Tokyo 2020 Games. Building on past successes, including the development of the bikes used in the recent Paris 2024 cycle, the alliance is now setting its sights on the innovation runway to LA 2028.

The initial phase of the renewed partnership will be dedicated to intensive research and development. Engineers from Renishaw will investigate how cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, particularly metal additive manufacturing, can unlock new performance levels. The key areas of exploration will be aerodynamics, mechanical optimisation, and enhancing the strength-to-weight ratio of critical components.

“We are entering the most exciting phase: the blank slate,” explained Ben Collins, Lead Additive Manufacturing Applications Engineer at Renishaw. “Our goal now isn't minor adjustment, but fundamental re-imagination. We are questioning established concepts, experimenting with radical new forms, and determining how engineering can provide a decisive advantage for the Great Britain Cycling Team.”

Renishaw's proven track record includes supplying over 1,000 precision parts for the 32 track bikes used in Paris 2024. These featured innovative custom-printed titanium cranks and a unique aerodynamic seat post designed with a central channel to streamline airflow.

The road to Los Angeles allows for a three-year development window. After the R&D stage, Renishaw will oversee small-batch production of new prototypes for rigorous testing by athletes. This agile process enables rapid design iteration, ensuring final components are not only high-performing but also consistently reliable at the elite competition level.

“The deep trust and collaborative spirit we’ve built with Renishaw over the years is invaluable as we target LA,” stated Stephen Park CBE, Performance Director for the Great Britain Cycling Team. “Their engineering expertise is a critical component in our quest to remain ahead of the global field. This partnership genuinely impacts our ability to win on the world stage, and we are thrilled to continue pushing the boundaries of technology in support of our athletes’ gold medal ambitions.”