Can you feel the difference between carbon and titanium?
On Saturday 11 July 2026, at Joe Mann in Best (the Netherlands), we study whether riders experience measurably greater wellbeing on a titanium bike than on a carbon bike. Sign up as a participant or as a visitor.
Fully booked
Why this study?
Earlier association research showed that even committed carbon riders strongly associate the material with damage and fragility. Titanium scores the opposite way: it is experienced as unbreakable and reassuring.
At Velofollies (January 2026) we used EEG to capture how visitors experienced stepping onto a titanium bike. The results were striking enough to justify a full experience study.
Do people experience greater wellbeing on a titanium bike than on a carbon bike?
This is the first study worldwide to measure the experience of cycling as a product in real time with EEG while riding.
Three test days
Open day
Open day for (gravel) cycling fans: take part in the study or come and watch.
Press
Press day with deep dives on the study, new Pilot products and insights from the previous research.
Invitation only
First test day for invited guests.
How does the test work?
- 1
You ride two laps on a closed course at Joe Mann.
- 2
Lap 1 on a carbon bike, lap 2 on a titanium bike (or the other way around).
- 3
Experienced riders: 3-4 minutes per lap. Less practised: 5-6 minutes per lap.
- 4
During each lap we capture experience and wellbeing via EEG.
The study is full
All spots for the Pilot Cycles experience study on Saturday 11 July 2026 have been taken. Registration is closed.
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