KEEGO and Fidlock - it's a match
After two and a half years of development, we can finally present our first joint product. The Fidlock Twist System adds a dimension to the KEEGO and brings together the best ofboth worlds. The number of awards for both systems is impressive and promises nothing less than the best hydration solution for cyclists on the market.
However, this is not about awards, but about an insight into the history and development behind the product.
When KEEGO appeared at the Eurobike for the first time in September 2019, it didn't take long forus to meet Team Fidlock. Interest was aroused on both sides. While on the KEEGO side we were primarily interested in the clever design and the mechanism of the Fidlock Twist mount, on the Fidlock side the elastic titanium was of interest to KEEGO. A few coffees and beers later, we said goodbye with the intention of staying in touch.
The next meeting followed six months later at ISPO. This time it became more concrete and at the coffee bar in the Brandnew Area, the development of a joint product was mapped out. The big sticking point: Will KEEGO be able to bring its material into the shape desired by Fidlock?
Shortly afterwards, the Corona virus struck for the first time. Of course, this dampened the euphoria and closed factories slowed down the development. There was only one way to produce a meaningful prototype - KEEGO's now well-established production process. 3D printing or an alternative process would not provide the desired insights.
In the summer of 2020, the time had come and we were able to take a first run at it.
A temperature-resistant 3D print...
...provides a first, revealing result.
A few rounds later (the masses must fit).
The specific material properties of aluminium 3D printing and the small radii (the indent for the magnetic holder) were twobighurdles, but by October 2020 we had a first prototype and proof that it worked. Nothing stands in the way of bringing together the best bottle with the best holding system - we thought!
In any case, we were thrilled. But we also knew that this potential product would have its price. To get a feeling for whether the community shares our enthusiasm, we decided to combine the KEEGO bottles with the Fidlock Universal Connector - a super solution and a first-class Christmas present for 2020. The combination was very well received.
In spring 2021,manynew products from Fidlock and turbulent months at KEEGO (no more bottles due to lockdown) led to a delay in development. In the middle of all this, the central Fidlock development partner was also given his first child. The time with the little one briefly pushed work and product development into the background before talks were resumed in spring 2021.
Fidlock was also convinced by the small market test, the prototype and thus ready to take the next step: The final design of anew shape and size.We agreed on 600ml as the target value.
The new bottle should fit in well with the family.
To be on the safe side and to avoid technical difficulties in production, we decided to first rely on the tried and tested Belt System, where the Fidlock Connector is attached to the bottle with a belt. This was also an important intermediate step in the history of Fidlock.
Next was the economic side: Who will pay for the further development? How high will the production costs be? What quantity should be produced?
These points were clarified exactly 2 years after the first meeting at Eurobike 2021. Joachim Fiedler (the founder of Fidlock) once againbrought a lot of momentum to thematter. It was important to him not to lose any more time - no matter what the cost. So we stepped it up a notch.
In November, the first attempt was made to start production. However, we had to abort this because the entrances to the mounting points were not completely free (marked in yellow).
We identified acritical area thatcould have jeopardised the longevity of the bottle. The design and the tools had to be adapted. On top of that, Christmas and New Yearcame andso we could only make the second attempt at the end of January.
And unfortunately, the second one also went wrong!
The lateral recess for the Fidlock connector and the circumferential strap have a stiffening effect on the bottle. Thismeans that the bottle can no longer be squeezed so well, which is essential for the bike area. To improve the squeezability, we can only reduce the wall thickness to a certain point before the bottle melts in production. The most critical points are the corners and small radii. After four test runs, each with adapted wall thicknesses, we had to realise that even in this form there would be no satisfactory result.
The adapted form 6 weeks later.
And this time it worked! We were finally able to start production.
And there it was: one of the first bottles from the final production.
Today (mid-May 2022) we are very pleased to present the new KEEGO Fidlock Twist. A new dimension, because it combines the best ofTHREE worlds. The advantages of a lightweight and squeezable plastic bottle with the clean taste of a titanium bottle and with the best fastening system on the market. Maybe we'll think of a better marketing slogan.
Pop the corks!
In any case, we are overjoyed with the result and very much looking forward to getting your feedback! Summer has just begun!
KEEP GOING
Lukas for Team KEEGO
