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Save eonist/a6d81682c50625c8b8f8b413c3562c49 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
| stem https://dosnoventabikes.com/components/dsnv103-stem/ | |
| wheel: https://dosnoventabikes.com/components/dsnv106-wheel-set/ and | |
| bar: https://dosnoventabikes.com/components/dsnv106-flat-bar/ | |
| seat post: https://dosnoventabikes.com/components/dsnv105-seatpost/ | |
| drop bar: https://dosnoventabikes.com/components/dsnv101-drop-bar/ |
For your workflow — CAD modelling + photorealistic renders + factory-ready STEP export — all free on Mac:
Best Free Option: FreeCAD + Blender
FreeCAD 1.0 (released late 2025) for the actual engineering model:[eufymake][youtube]
Fully free, including commercial use — no subscription, no limits[youtube]
Parametric — change one dimension, everything updates
Exports STEP files which factories read directly[youtube][wiki.freecad]
Runs natively on Mac including Apple Silicon
Blender for renders:style3d+1
Import the STEP/STL from FreeCAD
Cycles renderer produces photorealistic studio shots — Instagram-ready
Free forever, open source
Alternative: Onshape (Free Tier)
Cloud-based, runs in the browser, no install. Professional parametric CAD with STEP export. The free tier requires your designs to be public (anyone can see them) — which may or may not matter at concept stage.[youtube]
Comparison
Recommended Workflow
iPad — sketch proportions and vibe in Procreate/Concepts
FreeCAD on Mac — build the precise 3D model with real dimensions, STEP export for factory
Blender on Mac — import model, add materials (matte black alu, carbon fibre texture), studio lighting, render hero shots for website/IG
FreeCAD has a learning curve but there are tons of bike frame tutorials on YouTube. Since you're already technical, you'll pick it up fast.[youtube]
Best Free Option: FreeCAD + Blender
FreeCAD 1.0 (released late 2025) for the actual engineering model: [eufymake](https://www.eufymake.com/ca/blogs/printing-guides/3d-modeling-software-mac)
- Fully free, including commercial use — no subscription, no limits [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYTuXe4k4vg)
- Parametric — change one dimension, everything updates
- Exports STEP files which factories read directly [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDxoJrs0yAM)
- Runs natively on Mac including Apple Silicon
- freecad.org eufymake
Blender for renders: style3d
- Import the STEP/STL from FreeCAD
- Cycles renderer produces photorealistic studio shots — Instagram-ready
- Free forever, open source
- blender.org
Alternative: Onshape (Free Tier)
Cloud-based, runs in the browser, no install. Professional parametric CAD with STEP export. The free tier requires your designs to be public (anyone can see them) — which may or may not matter at concept stage. [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYTuXe4k4vg)
Comparison
| FreeCAD | Blender | Onshape Free | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever | Free forever | Free (public files only) |
| Modelling | Parametric, engineering-grade | Mesh/sculpt, artistic | Parametric, professional |
| STEP export | ✅ factory-ready | ❌ (STL/OBJ only) | ✅ factory-ready |
| Rendering | Basic | Best-in-class (Cycles) | Basic |
| Learning curve | Medium-steep | Steep for CAD, great for renders | Easiest of the three |
| Commercial use | ✅ unlimited | ✅ unlimited | ❌ free tier is public |
| Mac native | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (browser) |
Recommended Workflow
- iPad — sketch proportions and vibe in Procreate/Concepts
- FreeCAD on Mac — build the precise 3D model with real dimensions, STEP export for factory
- Blender on Mac — import model, add materials (matte black alu, carbon fibre texture), studio lighting, render hero shots for website/IG
FreeCAD has a learning curve but there are tons of bike frame tutorials on YouTube. Since you're already technical, you'll pick it up fast. [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwjfDEKbqUk)
The stereotypical fixie (fixed-gear bicycle) rider look is heavily inspired by bike messenger culture and hipster aesthetics — think functional, urban, and deliberately understated. Here's what the typical outfit involves:
Bottoms
- Skinny jeans or cuffed jeans — worn tight or rolled up at the cuff to prevent pant legs from getting caught in the chain psupopculture.wordpress
- Cutoff denim shorts with frayed edges, especially in warmer weather adepttextiles
- Dickies work pants — durable, lightweight, and a popular no-nonsense choice among riders [reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/FixedGearBicycle/comments/137waky/fixed_friendly_clothing_brands/)
Tops
- Vintage or band t-shirts (Joy Division is the running joke) [reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/FixedGearBicycle/comments/137waky/fixed_friendly_clothing_brands/)
- Windbreaker jackets and layered urban tees [adepttextiles](https://www.adepttextiles.com/blog/fashion/the-urban-fixie-gear-bicycle-sub-culture-has-a-unique-fashion-style-that-has-grown-across-the-world-with-bike-courier-that-deliver-and-are-a-part-of-the-urban-fashion-culture-in-metropolitan-cities/)
- Collared shirts or simple, unfussy tops — nothing too sporty or lycra-based [adepttextiles](https://www.adepttextiles.com/blog/fashion/the-urban-fixie-gear-bicycle-sub-culture-has-a-unique-fashion-style-that-has-grown-across-the-world-with-bike-courier-that-deliver-and-are-a-part-of-the-urban-fashion-culture-in-metropolitan-cities/)
Footwear and Accessories
- Vans slip-ons or Chuck Taylors — skate-adjacent shoes, never clip-in cycling shoes [reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/FixedGearBicycle/comments/137waky/fixed_friendly_clothing_brands/)
- Messenger/cross-body bags (like Chrome Barrage) instead of backpacks, because they're easier to access while riding psupopculture.wordpress
- Custom hats or caps, tattoos, and piercings round out the look [adepttextiles](https://www.adepttextiles.com/blog/fashion/the-urban-fixie-gear-bicycle-sub-culture-has-a-unique-fashion-style-that-has-grown-across-the-world-with-bike-courier-that-deliver-and-are-a-part-of-the-urban-fashion-culture-in-metropolitan-cities/)
The Overall Vibe
The style sits at a crossroads of skateboarder fashion and urban streetwear — practical enough for riding but deliberately not "cyclist gear". As one Reddit user put it, combining road biking with skate fashion is how you "really end up looking fixie af". The culture also emphasizes the bike itself as fashion — brightly colored frames, flashy wheels, and colored tires are part of the total image. The whole aesthetic spread globally, even stimulating fixie-inspired clothing lines in countries like China. sixthtone
Given your interest in bicycle design and engineering, you probably already spot these riders around Oslo!
Yes — essentially. The process goes like this:[youtube]qualityinspection+1
The Actual Process
Step 1: You send them drawings
Not final production CAD at first. Most factories start with:
A 2D geometry drawing with all dimensions (tube lengths, angles, BB type, dropout spacing, head tube size)
Reference images of what you want (your iPad drawing is perfect for this)
A spec list (material, wall thickness, seatpost diameter, etc.)
Step 2: They make the CAD
The factory's engineer converts your drawing into their own technical production drawing and sends it back for you to approve. This is a 1:1 blueprint showing every tube, every angle, every weld point. You check it, request changes, iterate.[vpic-group][youtube]
Step 3: You approve, pay deposit
Typically 50% upfront, 50% before shipping.[youtube]
Step 4: They manufacture (4–8 weeks)
Tube cutting → bending/shaping → welding → heat treatment (T6) → alignment check → powder coat → ship.pinheadbikelocks+1
What You Actually Need to Send
You Don't Need
Full SolidWorks/Fusion 360 CAD (they make their own)[youtube]
Engineering stress analysis (they know tube specs for bikes)
Manufacturing drawings (that's their job)
Your iPad drawing tomorrow + the spec sheet we've already discussed is genuinely enough to get quotes started. The factory turns your sketch into real engineering. The key is being very precise about dimensions and special machining(the downtube cutout, hinge mounts, cartridge tolerances) — that's the non-standard part they'll need clarity on.[qualityinspection][youtube]
The Actual Process
Step 1: You send them drawings
Not final production CAD at first. Most factories start with:
Step 2: They make the CAD
The factory's engineer converts your drawing into their own technical production drawing and sends it back for you to approve. This is a 1:1 blueprint showing every tube, every angle, every weld point. You check it, request changes, iterate. [vpic-group](https://www.vpic-group.com/bicycle-manufacturing)
Step 3: You approve, pay deposit
Typically 50% upfront, 50% before shipping. [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t1yex_8VjY)
Step 4: They manufacture (4–8 weeks)
Tube cutting → bending/shaping → welding → heat treatment (T6) → alignment check → powder coat → ship. pinheadbikelocks
What You Actually Need to Send
You Don't Need
Your iPad drawing tomorrow + the spec sheet we've already discussed is genuinely enough to get quotes started. The factory turns your sketch into real engineering. The key is being very precise about dimensions and special machining (the downtube cutout, hinge mounts, cartridge tolerances) — that's the non-standard part they'll need clarity on. qualityinspection