"Our mission was to rethink the conventional frame shape and present a completely new design," says Sebastian Baldauf about the motivation behind the One. "A racing bike that not only stands out from the crowd, but is absolutely unique," adds the former professional cyclist and Managing Director of Baldiso. The young racing bike brand from the Allgäu region, founded in 2020, wants to establish itself on the highly competitive market with exclusive models. After the Competition all-rounder Air Flight One The Baldiso One is designed to help with this.
Diamond-shaped frame
A road bike without a seat tube? Hasn't that been done before? That's right. Kestrel experimented with similar designs more than 30 years ago. The 500 SCi was the first model with racing handlebars in which the US brand replaced the classic diamond frame with a diamond-shaped design. The independent design became particularly well-known on triathlon bikes such as the Airfoil Pro. These are not subject to the strict regulations of the International Cycling Union (UCI), which gives the designers more design freedom and means they do not have to adhere to the frame dimensions.
After Kestrel, once a pioneer in carbon frame construction, disappeared from the scene in recent years and last produced new models in 2018, Baldiso is now venturing onto the market with a diamond-shaped frame without a seat tube. Baldauf enlisted the expertise of renowned carbon specialists from Germany. Carbonworks, which specialises in the production of carbon tubes, was involved in the development. In addition, Bike Ahead Composites, which specialises in the Swiss luxury brand Stoll and Lightweight as a cooperation partner.
Concept without UCI approval
"When designing the B1, we didn't allow ourselves to be restricted and fully utilised the material carbon," says Carbonworks boss Simon Bühler. Fibre composite materials such as carbon offer great possibilities in the design of the frame. "But when the material was discovered in racing cycling back then, the freedom of design was nipped in the bud by regulations," adds Bühler.
The facts: According to the manufacturer, the frame should weigh between 900 and 1000 grams and thus be on a par with high-quality bikes. Aero specialists like Canyon Aeroad, Giant Propel or Scott Foil lie. The fact that the futuristic carbon chassis is not lighter despite the absence of the seat tube is probably due to the aerodynamic tube shapes. The elongated head tube, for example, is reminiscent of the Koga Kinsei or Simplon Pride II. Baldiso specifies a weight of around 300 grams for the fork. Depending on the equipment, the complete bike, which is not approved for UCI races due to its frame shape, should weigh between 7.1 and 7.9 kilograms.
Baldiso One only on pre-order
Baldiso did not provide any information on geometry and frame sizes. Judging by the initial visualisations, the seating position is likely to be emphatically stretched. There is also no data on aero performance, suspension comfort and stiffness. And you'll have to be patient until the first TOUR test. As the Allgäu-based manufacturer has announced, there are currently no models ready to ride. The One will only go into production after 50 pre-orders have been placed. "Everything is prepared so that the first frame sets can be delivered in the second quarter of 2024," says Baldauf about the crowdfunding concept. Complete bikes with electronic gears from Shimano (105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace) or SRAM (Rival, Force, Red) and wheels from Bike Ahead, Ennoble or Lightweight will be available shortly afterwards.
Baldiso One: Complete bike from 9770 euros
The frame set starts at 5540 euros, with a customised paint finish possible for an additional charge. The "cheapest" complete bike with Shimano 105 Di2 and wheelset from Ennoble, Baldiso's own brand, costs 9770 euros in the basic version. There are practically no upper limits. The One with eye-catching chrome paintwork, SRAM Red AXS and lightweight wheels costs a whopping €18540. Even without a ready-to-ride model and despite the high prices, the novelty seems to be popular. As Baldauf assures us, demand is so high that the limited edition was increased from 500 to 1500 models before the launch.
Julian Schultz
Editor
