ProNews_1_06_EN.pdf - Kemppi

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Text: Aarno Laine, Senior Sales Manager. Hannu Mihailow, Regional Sales Manager.
Czech sport and competition bicycle manufacturer
DURATEC s.r.o. chooses Kemppi products
The decal is proof
of high quality
In 1987 17-year-old student Milan Duchek
tried to improve his bike with homemade
accessories. He designed and made the
parts in the basement of his home.
The ”MD System” product name began to appear on
homemade ”upgrades”, which were competition bikes
with disc and rim brakes, clipless pedals, integrated
shifter/brake lever units and a custom handlebar and
saddle. Duchek had also developed a handy “bike computer”
using a pocket calculator.
He also made modifications to bike frames. At first he
concentrated on modifying the geometry of his own bike
and shortening the rear triangle. Then, he began to upgrade
his friend’s old rides into competition bikes.
Reliability is based on frame quality
Duchek noticed that a bike’s reliability is based on the
quality of its frame. In 1992 he founded the DURATEC
s.r.o. company, which specialised in the manufacture
of bicycle frames. From the very start, the company
focused on producing high-tech bike frames for competition,
using his own, unique design, state-of-the-art
materials and the latest in joining technologies.
His goal was to create a comprehensive selection of
Duratec-brand bike frames using Duratec’s own original
models. Today, the company offers alternatives to
satisfy the needs of almost all areas of competitive and
sport cycling.
Weld seams determine the bike’s lifecycle
The welding process is the most critical phase of frame
construction. A bicycle’s lifecycle is based primarily on
the quality of weld seams, particularly in the highly demanding
world of competition cycling.
Duratec chose TIG welding for the manufacture of
its bike frames. In TIG welding, cold weld joints are
The professional skill of the welder is also evident in
the quality of seams, as all seams are welded by hand.
Duratec founder Milan Duchek (left) and Managing
Director of Kemppi’s Czech representative ARC-H,
Václav Brunclík (at right).
20 Kemppi ProNews 1 • 2006