With a unique signature - the ROTWILD R.R275 X
Our new gravel bike with eAssist – the R.R275 X – is a radical concept. The focus is on the rider's performance and the goal to improve kilometer by kilometer. The model polarizes strongly, primarily due to its appearance. It captures attention, evokes astonishment, and stirs emotions. We spoke with the three individuals who are significantly responsible for this, where the plain term 'appearance' only superficially describes the result of the work of the experts from ARTEFAKT in Darmstadt and thus an essential characteristic of the R.R275 X. Because CEO Tomas Fiegl, Design Director Gregor Dauth, and Senior Designer Alexander Trautmann are specialists in design and the architects of a profound creative process that begins on a blank sheet.
A bike that casts a special shadow
Gregor Dauth would not quite subscribe to the "blank page". Because ARTEFAKT had a task: to create a gravel bike with strong road DNA and aggressive features that is clearly recognizable as ROTWILD. "We looked at the identity of ROTWILD and analyzed which features of the brand we wanted to transfer," explains Gregor Dauth. "For example, the head tube area, which is very strong in eMTBs and can be found in a variation in the R.R275 X." ARTEFAKT worked according to its own principle of "Shaping Identity"."A highly competitive environment with a wide range of products inevitably leads to similar products," says Tomas Fiegl."The aim for a strong premium brand must be to have a signature design.In other words, one that stands out from the crowd, a face in the crowd.If the bike casts a shadow, you should be able to tell from it that it's a ROTWILD," he says.That was the goal.
An elongated silhouette makes the R.R275 X striking
It all started with the tried and tested: a diamond frame, the rhombus of top and down tube, seat and chain stay. For 100 years, it has represented the optimum ratio of stiffness to weight. ARTEFAKT has reinterpreted this and created polarizing proportions in this supporting structure. "The top tube flows flush into the stem and also extends to the rear, behind the seat post. This gives the R.R275 X an extremely elongated top tube, without a step down to the cockpit," explains Tomas Fiegl. "This is something you can also see in the silhouette. Color, materiality, decor - all important. Only for this clear "first" recognizability they play no role." The top tube gives the gravel bike its very own identity.
The R.R275 X builds on the concept of the R.X275
Viewed in the light, the field of tension becomes apparent. "We wanted to create something completely unique, but we also had the ROTWILD signature. We had to marry the two," says Tomas Fiegl, defining the task. The signatures at ROTWILD are details in the modeling of the frame shapes. ARTEFAKT interpreted these, so to speak. "This design language was one of our specifications," reports the CEO of ARTEFAKT. It was also clear which motor should be installed in the bike. With the principle of the eAssist in the HPR50 motor from TQ, the R.R275 X translates the concept from the lightweight trail bike to a model with racing bike genes for off-road use. "We were able to build on the R.X275 by integrating the motor and battery into the down tube area," explains Gregor Dauth. The integration of the lighting system also played an important role. "It was this new functional idea that enabled us to create an extraordinary silhouette and a new design. If we hadn't integrated the front headlight and the rear light, the design with the elongated top section wouldn't make any sense at all," says Tomas Fiegl.
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Geometry as the supporting element of the R.R275 X
Geometry also played a decisive role in the development of the R.R275 X. "We researched what the common geometries are," explains Alexander Trautmann. "If you have certain ideas, you have to look at how you can represent them sensibly in the geometry," adds Gregor Dauth. For example, the higher head tube of the bike was a factor. A lot of things had to come together here in order to maintain the right standover height. On the other hand, it helped the designers that ROTWILD did not insist on a complete adjustment option on the stem. This made it possible to create a relatively fixed design and have the entire stem connected to the top tube. Conversely, this freedom for the designers meant that the geometry and comfort of the rider had to be cut back a little. Because there can only be two corresponding stem heights - with the help of a higher lower shell. "But this also means that I can ride any handlebar because it can be variably interchanged in the stem," says Gregor Dauth."The scope is far greater than you can imagine," agrees Tomas Fiegl."Geometry means nothing more than that there are fixed points that have to be connected in some way to a supporting structure.There are many possibilities, especially at the interfaces and the details."
In close cooperation with ROTWILD
The development of the R.R275 X took 18 months. Here we come back to the white paper. The creators of ARTEFAKT are certain that "fighting for positions and views" is part of the process. The process, from the ideas and side views to the first 3D drawings, is not without discussion. "For example, it's about using a 3D print to see how certain surfaces need to be displayed so that the light integration works," says Gregor Dauth. "The front light was developed by Supernova in parallel. The integration of the light was therefore intensive. For example, cooling factors had to be integrated." From this point onwards, they worked closely with the engineering department at ROTWILD and gathered opinions and expertise. Initial designs in the rear light area still show approaches with two lights. In addition, the inner workings of the bike are completely filled with cables, adapters, spacers and electronic circuits. Installation space that also had to be taken into account during the design phase and coordinated with the engineers. These iteration phases are normal and important.
Practical experience was incorporated into the process
"We don't really want to be guided by what already exists," says Tomas Fiegl confidently. The pure understanding of form is rooted in the broad knowledge that the creators of ARTEFAKT have. Not only from the field of bicycle development, but also from architecture or the creation of bathroom fittings. "However, we have to look at the market from time to time so that we don't repeat things that already exist," emphasizes Tomas Fiegl. "It helps that all three of us are passionate cyclists and can contribute our own experience," says Alexander Trautmann. "When you ride through the forest on a gravel bike in winter and see lots of adventurous forms of lighting on bikes, you get ideas for complete light integration from your own experience of the benefits," explains Tomas Fiegl.
Bicycle design is constantly evolving
The R.R275 X represents one of the designer's basic aspirations: to reduce the additive elements on a bike and create a clean look. On the technical side, this manifests itself in the integration of cables or the embedding of seat clamps, for example. In the past, the design of a bike was all about colors and surfaces. Today, designers are given more scope to create three-dimensional shapes. "That's what's special about bikes compared to cars. With bikes, every surface is automatically a functional surface," explains Gregor Dauth. All surfaces always have a function, must be rigid and, in some cases, also fit in with aerodynamics and the overall appearance. In addition, a functional advantage always has its origins in emotional perception. "If we develop a racing bike today that looks extremely fast, it gives the user the feeling of riding faster on this bike every lap," says Tomas Fiegl.This is a purely emotional function.In addition, the sports equipment must have its own character and strike a chord with those who feel emotionally involved.That's why it's important to be as radical as possible in order to arouse emotions in the first place. "It is precisely this provocation that is needed to trigger this strong emotionality," says Tomas Fiegl.