Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

TECH NEWS

Eurobike 2017: time trial and triathlon bikes

Starring Pinarello, Cervelo, Bianchi, Argon 18, Scott, BMC, Colnago and loads more

Most of the major brands, and many smaller ones, have at least one time trial and/or triathlon model in their range and here are the most interesting that we spotted while wandering the Eurobike halls last week.

Everyone has seen the Pinarello Bolide lots over the past few years because it’s the bike used in time trials by Chris Froome and the rest of Team Sky.

Eurobike 2017 Pinarello Bolide - 1.jpg

Although this mannequin on Castelli’s stand has Froome’s name on its arm (should that be 'his arm'?), the bike isn’t set up exactly to the four-time Tour de France winner’s spec; he uses Osymetric chainrings, for example.  

Eurobike 2017 Pinarello Bolide - 3.jpg

The bike does feature the super-expensive handlebar setup designed in-house by Pinarello.

Eurobike 2017 Canyon - 1.jpg

Speaking of mannequins, this one on the Endura stand represents Alex Dowsett on his Hour Record ride in 2015 (those elbows look painful and, more to the point, they’re adding to the drag).

Eurobike 2017 Canyon - 2.jpg

The bike is a Canyon Speedmax WHR (the WHR standing for World Hour Record) based on the Speedmax CF. As a track bike there are, of course, no brakes. The dropouts are positioned horizontally and the carbon layup of the rear triangle has been revised for a 120mm track-specific axle. 

Eurobike 2017 BMC TT - 1 (1).jpg

BMC’s Timemachine 01 has what’s called a V-Cockpit, a design collaboration with Sauber Engineering, which offers height adjustment. 

Eurobike 2017 BMC TT 2 - 1.jpg

The bike also features BMC’s Hidden Brake Booster Technology tucked away in a compartment at the front of the top tube. This is designed to increase the brake-lever-pull to calliper-free-stroke ratio. The idea is that this gives you extra brake pad clearance so they won’t hit the rim (and slow you down) if the wheel flexes. 

Eurobike 2017 Ceepo Viper 2 - 1.jpg

Ceepo is a triathlon bike specialist and its Viper isn’t UCI legal. As with many TT bikes – and aero road bikes, for that matter – the rear brake is hidden away under the chainstays.

Eurobike 2017 Ceepo Viper  - 1.jpg

The Viper R is an update of the straight Viper with an integrated front hydration system developed with Profile Design and an integrated stem / bento box system. 

Ceepo claims that this results in “a 15% improvement in wind tunnel testing compared to the same Viper with a conventional race day setup”.

Eurobike 2017 Deda Flash 2 - 1.jpg

Dedacciai’s Flash 2 features a front brake that’s fully integrated into the monocoque carbon fork and the rear brake is hidden by a carbon fairing below the bottom bracket. 

Eurobike 2017 Bianchi Aquila CV TT bike - 1.jpg

Bianchi’s Aquila CV features Countervail technology that’s designed to reduce vibration, Countervail being “a carbon composite-material system that, with its special fibre architecture, combines patented structural carbon with viscoelastic resin,” according to Bianchi. 

Eurobike 2017 Bianchi Aquila CV TT bike - 2.jpg

The idea is that by smoothing the ride the Countervail helps you maintain your aero riding position for longer and therefore reduces drag.

Eurobike 2017 Argon 18 E119 Tri+ - 1.jpg

Argon 18 offers several different TT and triathlon models and this E119 Tri+ is the top level offering. The rear brake is positioned horizontally and hidden under a cover at the top of kinked seatstays.

Eurobike 2017 Argon 18 E117 - 1.jpg

Unlike the E119 Tri+, the E117 is UCI-legal. It features Argon 18’s Press-Fit 3D system that gives you the choice of three different head tube heights via large diameter spacers with the upper headset bearing sitting on top.

Eurobike 2017 Storck TT bike - 1.jpg

Storck’s Aero 2 Platinum is light by the standards of its genre with a frame as little as 1,190g, and a 340g fork.

Eurobike 2017 Storck TT - 2.jpg

Of course, time trial and triathlon bikes are focused more on aerodynamics than lightness but, all other things being equal, a low weight is always welcome.

Eurobike 2017 Stevens TT bike - 1.jpg

The Stevens Volt comes with hidden brakes along with a food box and drinking system that are integrated into the top tube and cockpit. The seatstays join the seat tube super-low to reduce the frontal area – well below the top of the wheel.

Eurobike 2017 Stevens Trofeo TT bike - 1.jpg

The Super Trofeo sits below the Volt in Stevens’ range but you still get frame tubes shaped for aerodynamics, an integrated stem and brakes that are tucked away.

Eurobike 2017 Fuji TT - 1.jpg

Fuji focused on providing plenty of fit adjustment when developing the Norcom Straight. The Oval Concepts stem is available in two different rise options and six lengths, for example, you get 180mm of saddle height adjustment and 70mm of fore/aft movement.

Eurobike 2017 Fuji TT - 2.jpg

This top level Norcom Straight 1.1 is built up with a mainly SRAM Red eTap (wireless electronic shifting) groupset.

Eurobike 2017 Scott Plasma Sebastian Kienle - 1.jpg

This Scott Plasma is a replica of the one ridden by 2014 Ironman World Champion Sebastian Kienle.

Eurobike 2017 Scott Plasma Sebastian Kienle - 4.jpg

It’s set-up with a Sram Red eTap groupset with Clics installed at the end of the extensions, one moving you up the cassette, the other moving you down the cassette.

Eurobike 2017 Cervelo - 1.jpg

Cervelo’s P5X does without a seat tube or seatstays. The idea, as is usually the case when it comes to tri bikes, is to reduce drag. 

Eurobike 2017 Cervelo - 4.jpg

The P5X features flat mount disc brakes, thru axles and plenty of food and drink storage options.

Eurobike 2017 Diamondback Andean - 2.jpg

Diamondback’s Andean does without seatstays too. In fact, it’s an extraordinary looking bike all round, featuring what Diamondback calls its Aero Core – the section of the frame that sits directly between the wheels. This is intended to be a single large airfoil.

Eurobike 2017 Diamondback Andean - 5.jpg

There’s loads of storage space inside, avoiding the need to add non-aero elements, or to tape supplies to the frame.

Eurobike 2017 De Rosa TT - 1.jpg

De Rosa’s TT-03 looks stunning. This model, with Campagnolo EPS electronic shifting, has very little exposed cable.

Eurobike 2017 De Rosa TT bike - 2.jpg

That’s a TRP V-brake hidden at the back of the fork legs while the rear brake is positioned behind the bottom bracket.

Eurobike 2017 Colnago K1 - 1.jpg

Fellow Italian brand Colnago has an equally eye-catching TT bike in the shape of the K.One. This one is a replica of the one ridden by UAE Team Emirates’ former world champion Rui Costa.

Eurobike 2017 Kuota KT05 - 2.jpg

Kuota has three triathlon bikes in its range, the top model being this KT05 with an integrated frame, fork, handlebar and brake system.

Eurobike 2017 Kuota Kalibur - 1.jpg

The Kalibur is similar in some respects but the front brake is positioned behind the fork.

Eurobike 2017 Kuota Kalibur - 2.jpg

The fork leads externally up to a carbon cockpit that's Kuota’s own. 

Eurobike 2017 Kuota KT3 - 1.jpg

The KT03 has been redesigned, the fork now having an external steerer tube and the seatstays joining the seat tube very low. 

 

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

Add new comment

2 comments

Avatar
Al__S | 6 years ago
0 likes

The ugly tree sure is bountiful with fruit. Yeesh. At least UCI rules keep things a bit more in check

Avatar
RobD | 6 years ago
0 likes

The Dedacciai is by far the prettiest/least hideous. Maybe the black and orange paint job helps

Latest Comments