Hoy introduces new Alto Irpavi disc brake road bike

Hoy is introducing a new disc brake all-round road bike lineup called Alto Irpavi with prices starting at £1,300.

There are three bikes in the Alto Irpavi range, all built around the same triple-butted 6066 aluminium frame. The tubes are size specific – in other words, different tube specs are used for the various different sizes to ensure that the performance and feel are the same for all riders.

We first showed you this bike when Sir Chris Hoy shared a picture on social media at the end of August. 

“It’s the best bike that we’ve created,” said Sir Chris Hoy. “It’s brilliant. Some people ask why we need disc brakes, callipers work fine, but you really notice the difference in the control you have, certainly for heavier riders like me. It’s that sense of confidence that disc brakes really help with.”

The Alto Irpavi, named after the velodrome in Bolivia where Sir Chris Hoy set a world record for the 500m flying start, comes with bolt-thru axles (15mm) for the disc brakes. 

The disc brakes in question are flat mount hydraulic across the board – there are no cable discs on offer – with 140mm rotors, and the hose routing is internal. 

We’ve not had the chance to ride the Alto Irpavi but Sir Chris reckons that the bike offers plenty of comfort thanks to the absence of a bridge between the seatstays – there’s no need for one – and the thin-walled main frame.

One other point worth noting is that the Alto Irpavi comes with what Hoy calls UK-specific cable routing, designed specifically for the rear brake cable to go to the left-hand shifter. As you can see, the cables don’t touch the head tube, the idea being to avoid scratching and wear to the finish in that area. 

The Alto Irpavi 002 is built up with a Shimano 105 groupset with an FSA Gossamer chainset, and Shimano RS505 hydraulic disc brakes. This is the £1,300 model.

Next comes the Alto Irpavi 003 at £1,500. This one gets a full Shimano 105 groupset and Shimano RS685 hydraulic disc brakes.

The Alto Irpavi 004 (pictured) is the top-level model with a full Shimano Ultegra groupset and Shimano RS505 brakes. 

The Alto Irpavi bikes will be available from early 2016. 

The Sa Calobra range is no more but Hoy is introducing the new Aomori road bike with calliper brakes. It comes with a taller head tube than the Sa Calobra and is designed to be compliant (aren’t they all?).

The range runs from the Shimano Sora-equipped Aomori 001 (above) at £750 to the Shimano 105-equipped 003 (below) at £1,000.

Hoy has also redesigned the Shizuoka which it describes as “part cyclo-cross bike, part lightweight hybrid and all-round fun”. 

The aluminium frame is said to be 150g lighter than previously and the geometry has been tweaked too, Hoy claiming that the bike now provides a more secure feel while cornering. It uses size-specific tubing and has internal cable routing.

The cheapest of the five models is the £500 Shizuoka 000 which features an aluminium fork, a SRAM X4 groupset, and Tektro RX1 V-brakes. 

The Shizuoka range tops out with the £900 004 (pictured). This one has a carbon/aluminium fork, SRAM Rival groupset, and Tektro Orion hydraulic disc brakes.

For more info go to www.evanscycles.com.