The carbon experts at Bike Ahead are known for lightweight, high-quality carbon components made in Germany. Until now, the unpainted and instead sealed carbon surface has also been part of the company's identity. The Superfast high-end gravel bike now has the option of colour for the first time.
If you don't like the look of the classic true carbon finish, you can now order the Ahead The Superfast bike in the Deep Green Edition special paint finish or as a Ready-To-Paint frame set to give the gravel bike a splash of colour with a painter of your choice. We took a closer look at the new options.
Bike Ahead The Superfast in detail
- Area of application: Gravel
- Price frameset: from 4449 euros
- Weight frameset: from 789 g (size M)
- Weight of complete bike: from 6.85 kg
- Surface options: True Carbon / Deep Green / Ready to Paint
- Special features: Optional storage compartment, free choice of bottom bracket standard, variable front derailleur mount, developed with the gravel community, including 80-page book on the creation of the bike, handmade in Germany
Three surfaces in black, green or coloured
1. true carbon: purist lightweight design
The "True Carbon" version shows the frame of the Bike Ahead The Superfast in its unadulterated production state. The unpainted surface reveals the carbon structure and emphasises the manufacturing quality. A transparent protective seal is intended to protect the material from scratches. The absence of additional layers of paint saves weight - an advantage for performance-orientated riders.
2. deep green edition: elaborate multi-layer paintwork
With the "Deep Green Edition", Bike Ahead is targeting all those who prefer an exclusive colour option. The paint finish is created using a twelve-layer process. Depending on the incidence of light, the green colour changes between intense sparkle and subtle shimmer, while white areas set accents with a pearl effect. The coating is applied by a specialised bicycle painter in Germany. The delivery time for The Superfast with special paintwork is around twelve weeks, the surcharge is 1500 euros.
>> Want something a little cheaper? Here we show you gravel bike bargains from Cube and Specialized.
3. ready to paint: the basis for customised designs
The third option for the surface of the Bike Ahead The Superfast is called "Ready to Paint". Technically, it corresponds to the finish process of the true carbon version, but is also prepared and sanded for further painting. This allows paint shops to start customising directly. This variant offers maximum freedom in the choice of colour.
One-piece monocoque: frame made from one piece
The centrepiece of the Bike Ahead The Superfast is the main frame, which is manufactured in one piece. In the one-piece monocoque construction method, all carbon prepreg layers are bonded together under pressure to form a single unit during the curing process.
In contrast to mass production, where individual segments are often glued together, a continuous structure is created here. The fork and cockpit are also manufactured in one-piece monocoque construction. The frame, fork and cockpit of the Bike Ahead The Superfast series are designed to match each other and form a technical unit. The fully integrated cable routing routes all cables through the handlebars into the stem and on into the frame and fork. Every component follows the principle of functional lightweight construction. Even the bottle cage bolts made of hollow-drilled titanium weigh just 1.06 grams each. The Superfast gravel bike frame weighs 789 grams in size M without storage compartment. A complete assembly in the top configuration weighs 6.85 kilograms.
Modular system with variable options
The optional, sealed storage compartment in the down tube can be selected or omitted when ordering. It is removable and can be opened without tools using a locking lever on the top of the down tube. The compartment has space for tools and a spare inner tube. For the bottom bracket, customers can choose between a bolted T47 version and press-fit bearings. According to the manufacturer, the high manufacturing precision ensures that typical press-fit noises caused by tolerances are avoided.
A patented, variable front derailleur base allows you to switch between a 1x drivetrain and front derailleur solution - without any technical or visual disadvantages. The configuration can also be customised at a later date. The scope of delivery also includes an 80-page book on the history of the bike's creation with exclusive images. The frameset of the Bike Ahead The Superfast starts at 4449 euros.
Conclusion
I've always found the Ahead The Superfast bike sexy. The new surface options now make the super-light gravel bike from Germany even more attractive. As technically fascinating as the black carbon surface is: Personally, I just love colour on my bikes. Thanks to the Ready-To-Paint option, there are no limits to creativity. The Deep Green Edition is an absolute eye-catcher! - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Jan Timmermann
Editor
