If you know anything about the Netherlands, you know its people love their bikes. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t ride one on a daily basis. Which is why it’s so odd there isn’t an 100% Dutch-made bike. Epo is looking to change that with their Dutch-Made Epo Bicycle Concept ($TBA).
The issue the Dutch are experiencing are much the same everywhere else, it’s just cheaper to have the frames manufactured in other countries and import them. Bob Schiller for Epo believes that if you use different manufacturing techniques, you can lower the price point enough to make in-country manufacturing viable.
By using inspiration from the automotive industry, they are using mold pressed metal/aluminum plates for the frames. These type of frames are light, structurally rigid, and can be massed produced in an automated process, reducing much of the cost.
If Epo receives enough backing they’ll start testing the frame for strength, stiffness and durability, and once ready start production in a few years’ time.
