The Swedish Bike Project
- The Athlete

The Swedish Bike
Project - The Athlete

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALINGSÅS - 1/6 2026

The Swedish Bike Project began as an idea to explore what is truly possible when development, materials and manufacturing come together in a new Swedish context. A project where the goal is not only to develop an advanced bike, but to gradually explore the possibilities for future Swedish development and production of high-performance carbon fibre frames.

 

Through the first chapters, we’ve followed the journey from vision and material selection to design, prototypes and tool development. From the very first sketches to the creation of the moulds that will form the foundation of the first frame. 

Now, the project takes its next step. Towards the start line.

Read chapters 1-4 here

In Chapter 5, Swedish professional triathlete Robert Kallin becomes part of The Swedish Bike Project.

But this chapter is not only about results. It’s about the hours behind them. About how a bike feels after nearly four hours at race pace. About position, efficiency and the small details that determine how long high speed can be maintained - deep into a race day that can last close to eight hours.

Because even though The Swedish Bike Project has been shaped through sketches, materials and construction, the goal has always remained the same - to create a bike built for real performance.

From his base in Trollhättan, Robert has built his name through a relentless pursuit of speed. Running was originally his main focus, but recurring injuries eventually pushed him towards the bike. Somewhere along the way, he discovered triathlon - and quickly became fascinated by the combination of disciplines and the endless pursuit of improvement.

His first triathlon came in 2013 - and ever since, the pursuit of improvement has become a central part of everyday life.

“The thing that draws me to triathlon is that there are so many areas where you can constantly optimise and improve. I’m still chasing the feeling of the perfect race.” 

Over the past few years, that pursuit has taken him to the very highest level of the sport. When Robert completed the bike leg at Ironman Vitoria-Gasteiz in 3:54:33 over 180 kilometres, it became the fastest official Ironman bike split ever recorded - a performance that still stands today as the third fastest time in history.

But the record itself was never the original motivation.

“When I took the record, I actually had no idea. Other people told me about it afterwards.”

That said, the ambition to reclaim the top spot is definitely still there.

“Now that I’ve experienced it, of course there’s a part of me that wants to take it back again. And to do it on an Allebike Aston would be something really special.”

At the elite level, development is all about consistency, discipline and the ability to keep refining the smallest details over time.

For Robert, that means a daily life built around training, recovery and repetition - week after week, year after year.

“Right now I train around 30 hours a week, but across a full year the average is closer to 25 hours. On top of that, I also work part-time.”

A full-distance Ironman can stretch close to eight hours of racing for the elite athletes. Yet according to Robert, the race itself can often feel easier than the training leading up to it.

“Training is the foundation - the hard work. The race is hopefully the reward for everything you’ve put into it.”

When speeds approach 46 km/h over long distances, aerodynamics and position become critical. Not only for the bike’s speed itself, but for how much energy remains later in the race.

“It’s during hour six or seven of an Ironman that you end up paying for any mistakes. That’s when you really notice how important it is for everything to be optimised down to the smallest detail.”

That’s also where the relationship between athlete, testing and development becomes essential.

Because in a project like The Swedish Bike Project, development is not only about sketches and simulations - it’s about understanding how the bike actually performs in the real world. How the position feels several hours into a race. How small details affect the body under maximum effort. And which margins truly matter once the race is decided.

Earlier this year, Robert visited Allebike to see the 3D-printed Aston prototype and share input on the details that become important during long days at race pace.

“It was really exciting to already be involved early on and discuss certain details and what actually matters for a triathlete. Then seeing that several of those ideas had already been integrated into the bike feels incredibly inspiring.”

For Robert, the next step is now about testing the bike in the real world.

“I’m really looking forward to riding the Allebike Aston and testing something I’ve been part of since the early stages. To experience how those ideas have actually taken shape in the finished bike feels incredibly inspiring.”

At the same time, the preparation towards Ironman Kalmar continues - and the development of the Allebike Aston moves forward into its next phase. 
Please note that all images of the bicycle shown in this article feature a 3D-printed prototype.

Press Contact

Allebike / Vincents Alingsås
Jessica Blomqvist
Email: jessica@allebike.se

TeXtreme
Tomas Josefsson
Email: tomas.josefsson@textreme.com

Aston Harald Composite
Lars Idmyr
Email: lars.idmyr@astonharald.com 

Cliff Models
David Halling
Email: david.halling@cliffmodels.com

MODELCO
Carl-Johan Stråhle 
Email: carl-johan@modelco.se