Test report: Pull-off behaviour of Westphal grips on plastic handlebars

Grips produced by Westphal on plastic handlebars from IGUS

Result:
Westphal grips meet the requirements of ISO 4210 not only on conventional steel and aluminum handlebars, but also on innovative handlebars made of plastic material from IGUS.

Background:
For many years, we have been testing our grips – especially models without an adjustability system – in accordance with the requirements of the international standard ISO 4210, which regulates the mechanical safety of bicycle components. Our tests are carried out on conventional handlebars made of steel and aluminum as well as on alternative materials.

In 2023, we became aware of the innovative plastic handlebars from IGUS.

Key question:
Do Westphal grips also meet the test requirements on these recyclable plastic handlebars?

Bicycle handlebars made from plastic – www.igus.de/branchen/fahrrad/komponenten/kunststoff-fahrradlenker

Result:
Yes – the tested grips also pass the requirements of ISO 4210-5:2014(E) on these new material types.

The advantage of sustainable handles without an adjustment system:

These handles are made from just one type of material – Westphal uses a high-quality thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) from a German manufacturer. They are therefore fully recyclable. In contrast, handles with an adjustability system usually consist of a composite material (e.g. glass fibre, plastic, possibly a metal core), which currently makes it uneconomical to separate them by type.

Test method according to ISO 4210-5:2014(E):

1. Hot water test:

The assembled handle is immersed in water at 60 °C for 60 minutes.
After a 30-minute cooling phase, the handle is pulled in an axial direction with a force of 100 N.
The Westphal handle ‘WLo’ successfully passed this test (see Fig. 2: tensile force approx. 10 kg)

2. Freeze test:

The handle is first immersed in water at room temperature for one hour.
It is then frozen in a moist state at -5 °C.
The pull test is carried out under a tensile force of 70 N until the handle has reached +5 °C.
This test was also passed successfully.

Sustainability and production:

Our handle systems are produced in our family business in Hövelhof in an energy-efficient and sustainable way. Both the raw granules and the food-safe colour pigments come from East Westphalia.

About Westphal:

Westphal has been active in the bicycle industry for over 75 years and has also been serving the rehab market for more than 40 years. For us, harmful substances and allergy triggers are absolutely taboo. We attach particular importance to the resource-saving and cost-efficient realisation of customer designs in tools suitable for series production.

Contact us:
We are at your disposal for further information and look forward to your enquiry.