Schrader, the world leader in tyre pressure monitoring systems in the original equipment automotive sector, recently launched its first product of this type for use on a bicycle.“Developing a TPMS system for bicycles was a great challenge, as – in contrast to car tyres – as bicycles mostly still use inner tubes. Fastening the unit in the valve hole of the rim or in the rim bed was therefore not an option,” Markus Schmid, Head of Marketing at Schrader, explains. In the end, the designers chose modified valves which are connected to the tube instead of the original parts. If the old inserts are permanently fastened, the tube also has to be replaced. The new Schrader TPMS valves are generally available for all common valve types.
“There is no classic display, by the way,” Schmid says. “To increase acceptance among cyclists and prevent theft, we chose a system that communicates with a smartphone via Bluetooth.” Another advantage: there is no display that could be stolen. If a loss of tyre pressure occurs while riding the bicycle, a loud warning signal is sounded which can easily be heard even while wearing a cycle helmet and with high traffic noise. This ensures safety at all times.
The journey is the destination – this saying does not apply to any sector as well as it does to motorhome tourism. Spartan box cars have mostly given way to rolling hotel rooms which make the journey itself into an experience. “A comfortable suspension has truly become a key factor here”, explains Ron William Kiesewetter from BILSTEIN. Besides passenger vehicles, the renowned German suspension manufacturer also develops shock absorber systems for vans, which also serve as the basis for mobile homes. A real milestone in this area is the cooperation with German Goldschmitt techmobil GmbH, which also builds complete air suspension systems for these vehicles. BILSTEIN has already been delivering the right shock absorbers for several years. Right from the beginning the company from Ennepetal was predestined for Goldschmitt because of its experience in the field of air suspension systems, both in OE as well as in replacement.
The VW Golf VII facelift was launched at the end of 2016, as well as numerous technical improvements, it defends its position with confidence – regardless of the role. To make sure that the Golf VII always stays on the road to success, BILSTEIN delivers exactly the right suspension components for the compact car – regardless of whether it is for replacement parts, improved spare parts, a sporty feel or a snappy lowering. The shock absorbers BILSTEIN B4, B6, B8, and the suspension B12 Pro Kit, B14 and B16 are available for both the more powerful models with a rear twist beam axle as well as the stronger multi-link variants.
With its comprehensive shock absorber and suspension programme, BILSTEIN offers the right solution for virtually any specific application. However, sometimes the requirements of the tuning and racing industry are simply too specialised to keep an off-the-shelf solution ready for every request. On these occasions, when many others would just make do with what they already have, BILSTEIN’s Department for Special Customer Requests (KSW) in Ennepetal, Germany, springs into action. Together with the US company GTWORX, a subsidiary of Racecomp Engineering, they created an extraordinary cup suspension for the Subaru WRX/STI and BRZ models. Recently launched in the US and based on the BILSTEIN B14 coilover system, it is specially designed for hobby racers, who want to drive their vehicles on and off the track. Linear springs are applied to auxiliary springs and degressive mono-tube Upside-Down shock absorbers. The latter initially react “sharply” due to their design and then soften with increasing force, in order to achieve optimum driving behaviour and adequate comfort at rest.
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