# 3D Printing Offers Opportunity to Custom Bike Designers with Kris Henry of 44 Bikes

- Show: [Additive Snack](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack)
- Published: 2024-03-26
- Length: 46m
- Episode: 9
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2024-03-26-3d-printing-offers-opportunity-to-custom-bike-designers-with-kris-henry-of-44-bi
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/26fce2d2

## Summary

Kris Henry, founder of 44 Bikes, and Spencer Thompson, lead engineer for environmental technologies at EOS, discuss how additive manufacturing enables custom bicycle design and small-batch production. Henry explains how 3D printing allows for complex geometries like integrated suspension pivots and flat mount brake dropouts, reducing assembly time and improving maintainability compared to traditional welding. Thompson highlights the supply chain benefits of local production and the current hurdles small builders face in finding manufacturers willing to accept low-volume orders. The conversation emphasizes the need for universal standards and quality protocols in metal 3D printing to ensure reliability for safety-critical components.

## Chapters

- [0:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2024-03-26-3d-printing-offers-opportunity-to-custom-bike-designers-with-kris-henry-of-44-bi#t=4) Introduction: Kris Henry of 44 Bikes and Spencer Thompson of EOS
- [2:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2024-03-26-3d-printing-offers-opportunity-to-custom-bike-designers-with-kris-henry-of-44-bi#t=130) Kris Henry's background and the founding of 44 Bikes
- [8:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2024-03-26-3d-printing-offers-opportunity-to-custom-bike-designers-with-kris-henry-of-44-bi#t=527) Using 3D printing for custom bike frames and suspension components
- [13:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2024-03-26-3d-printing-offers-opportunity-to-custom-bike-designers-with-kris-henry-of-44-bi#t=820) Performance benefits: part consolidation and maintenance
- [20:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2024-03-26-3d-printing-offers-opportunity-to-custom-bike-designers-with-kris-henry-of-44-bi#t=1200) State of AM adoption in the bicycle industry
- [26:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2024-03-26-3d-printing-offers-opportunity-to-custom-bike-designers-with-kris-henry-of-44-bi#t=1588) Supply chain advantages and local production
- [34:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2024-03-26-3d-printing-offers-opportunity-to-custom-bike-designers-with-kris-henry-of-44-bi#t=2062) Hurdles in finding manufacturing partners for low volumes
- [36:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2024-03-26-3d-printing-offers-opportunity-to-custom-bike-designers-with-kris-henry-of-44-bi#t=2161) Lack of standards and quality control in 3D printing

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- 44 Bikes (company)
- EOS (company)
- Fusion 360 (tool)
- Shimano (company)
- Chumba bikes (company)
- Paragon (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [108. Ride Into The Future With BORN’s 3D Printed Motorcycles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-02-07-108-ride-into-the-future-with-borns-3d-printed-motorcycles) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Following Your Passion in 3D Printing with Greg Paulsen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-01-26-following-your-passion-in-3d-printing-with-greg-paulsen) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing with Steve Szymeczek of Penumbra Engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-04-02-3d-printing-and-additive-manufacturing-with-steve-szymeczek-of-penumbra-engineer) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [Building an On-Demand Supply Chain in America's Urban Core w/ Elias Stahl](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-12-19-building-an-on-demand-supply-chain-in-americas-urban-core-w-elias-stahl) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [S2 E5: Rapid Prototyping Deep Dive with Greg Paulsen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-01-23-s2-e5-rapid-prototyping-deep-dive-with-greg-paulsen) (The Builder Circle)

## Citing this page

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