When you walk into cycle workshops around the world, you will see an age-old curious ritual still taking place. A seasoned bike mechanic picks up a coin, taps it against a bike frame, “Ping. Ping. Thud.” and tilts their head to listen. To most of us, it’s just noise. But to trained ears, those sounds reveal secrets; whether a frame is healthy or is hiding a dangerous crack beneath the surface.

This classic coin tap test has been used by cyclists and mechanics for decades. A crisp “ping” suggests a solid frame, while a dull “thud” may hint at damage. It is a simple, cheap, and surprisingly effective method and is still recommended by cyclists today (learn how it works here).

But as bicycles evolve to become lighter, thinner, and more complex , especially with modern carbon fibre frames, this human test is reaching its limits. The human ear can miss subtle differences. One mechanic might hear what another doesn’t. And in today’s high-volume factories producing thousands of frames, tapping with a coin simply can’t keep pace. Relying on mechanics with coins just isn’t enough anymore. That’s where AI and acoustic technology step in.

Giving Carbon Bikes a Digital Voice with RESONIKS

The principle remains the same: sound carries hidden information about structure. What changes is how that sound is captured and interpreted. Instead of relying on human hearing, acoustic sensors record the vibrations from a tap or a controlled sound pulse. From there, AI models analyse the “acoustic fingerprint” of each carbon fibre frame, learning to detect even the smallest flaws: micro-cracks, delamination, or weak spots invisible to the naked eye.

And here’s where RESONIKS stands apart: our technology is capable of testing highly complex composite structures in ways no one else can. Carbon fibre, with its intricate layers is notoriously challenging to inspect. Traditional methods often fail to spot subtle defects but RESONIKS captures and deciphers the tiniest acoustic nuances, making the invisible audible. It’s the same test, but now amplified with precision.

Why It Matters for Bicycle Manufacturers

The shift from traditional tapping to AI-driven acoustic analysis has major implications for bicycle manufacturers. Testing becomes dramatically faster, with thousands of frames inspected per day. Accuracy improves as subtle structural issues that human ears might miss are instantly detected. Unlike manual methods, results are consistent, since every frame is judged by the same standard without human bias. And because the process is non-destructive, unlike some of the destructive tests used in the process, frames remain fully intact during inspection. The outcome is a more reliable inspection process that doesn’t depend on operator skill or availability, ensuring consistent quality at scale.

From Old-School Ritual to Smart Testing

The beauty of the tap test is its simplicity. Mechanics listening for that ping carried valuable knowledge, keeping countless riders safe. But in today’s world, where technology drives progress, AI and acoustics transform this workshop wisdom into a digital science. Instead of replacing tradition, the new method preserves it, just with sharper ears and faster results. Because every bike has a voice. With RESONIKS, we can finally listen in high definition.

Thursday Soundbytes