US-Made Stainless Steel Tubing Launches at NAHBS

SAN DIEGO, CA, February 17, 2011

After years of engineering and development, KVA STAINLESS(TM) will introduce its new, patented method of turning rolls of stainless steel into bicycle tubing, known as MS2(TM) for road and mountain bikes at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show.(http://www.2011.handmadebicycleshow.com/)

Already proven and tested by KVA STAINLESS in other industries, notably automotive, the patented KVA STAINLESS martensitic stainless structural tubing can now be integrated into high performance bicycle frames to reduce weight, increase strength and stiffness, at a significant cost savings over many existing metal alloys.

MS2 tubing is made in the United States from first quality, domestic stainless steel alloys, using the most modern forming, welding and precision thermal processing technology available to produce custom-made butted bicycle tubing.

Douglas Gore, vice-president of sales and business development, said, "Bike builders have been very generous with their ideas and thoughts, as well as extremely supportive. Cyclists should expect excellent ride characteristics, outstanding durability, and toughness from our new MS2 bicycle tubing. And on the style side, stainless steel offers the timeless beauty and unmatched craftsmanship of an unpainted frame. In the olden days of cycling, pre-1975, bicycles were built with steel frames, plated steel spokes and chromed steel rims. When stainless steel spokes arrived everybody celebrated and immediately switched over. Stainless steel as a frame tubing material has held much promise, but until now has been seen as too expensive, too difficult to work with, or both. KVA STAINLESS solves these problems."

Paul Taylor, of Taylor Bicycles, said, "KVA Stainless is willing to listen to the frame builders and what they have to say, and takes their input seriously. I like the fact that the tubing is made in America and is readily available, in stock, and offered in a variety of diameters and sizes. The quality of the KVA tubing is excellent and it's more user friendly and easier to work with than some of the competitors' stainless steel tubing. My customers love it!"

Alex Cook, of A-train Cycles, said, "I was surprised and impressed with the workability of KVA stainless tubing. KVA is an awesome company to do business with: from the ease of online ordering and customer services, to the care in packaging, and of course the finished product."

Mark Nobilette, of Nobilette Cycles, said, "I believe that KVA has finally made the stainless tube set that frame builders want. It integrates the best with the stainless fittings that are already out there."

KVA STAINLESS sells individual tubes and complete sets in a wide range of sizes, for road and off-road uses.

Several bicycle frames incorporating KVA STAINLESS tubes are expected to be on display in the KVA STAINLESS booth at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show February 25-27 in Austin, Texas.

Over the last three years, production manager, Joe McCrink and director of engineering, Danny Codd, have manufactured and tested numerous road bike frames using MS2 tubing.

McCrink said, "We are aware of a growing interest in stainless steel frames; riders reportedly like the look and feel of stainless steel."

McCrink and Codd recently attended Interbike to network with bicycle manufacturers, where they noted much excitement and interest in KVA's stainless steel tubing technology across all bicycle market segments, from mountain to high-end road bikes. Codd said, "We had such an enthusiastic response, we are confident it is the right time for this technology in the bicycle industry."

For more information or to make an appointment at NAHBS, contact:
Douglas Gore
Tel. 760.489.5821
dgore@kvastainless.com

KVA STAINLESS and MS2 are trademarks of KVA Stainless Inc.

About KVA Stainless
KVA STAINLESS(TM) is a privately owned company that provides innovative, low-cost, advanced, high-strength, martensitic stainless steel processing technology and solutions to an industrial customer base. It specializes in first-rate research and development, high quality manufacturing standards, and uncompromising customer service. KVA STAINLESS has grown out of Hi-Temp inc. Founded in 1953, Hi-Temp was one of the largest processors of martensitic stainless steels in North America. KVA STAINLESS owns several proprietary and patent-pending processing, joining and manufacturing methods for martensitic stainless steels.

Located in southern California, KVA Stainless is a growing R&D venture focused on developing and promoting uses for lightweight, ultra high-strength, low cost alloys. KVA STAINLESS' technical staff, with a combined 60 years experience in thermal processing, metallurgy, automated welding, brazing and mechanical design, have developed numerous proprietary and patent-pending processing and manufacturing methods to enable the use of lightweight, corrosion-resistant, hardened stainless steel components throughout industry.