The carbon racer from Carver secures its good final score primarily thanks to its high-quality equipment. Lightweight wheels from Ritchey, ergonomic carbon handlebars and even a set of expensive "Kéo-Blade" pedals from Look, which are included in the price, leave little to be desired. The frame, on the other hand, still has potential. With its varying tube profiles and monostay rear triangle, it clearly emphasises the ambition to give the brand a more exclusive image. However, at almost 1,400 grams, it is heavy for a carbon frame and its stiffness values are at the lower end of the green range. Despite the carbon seatpost from Ritchey, which is actually predestined for this, it does not quite score as expected in terms of comfort on the saddle. The bike is sold by 14 XXL Group specialist stores across Germany.
Purchase/info: Apollo Bike GmbH, phone 0351/8506391, www.carver.de
Weight frame/fork/headset bearing*: 1,369/413/80 g
Frame sizes**: 50, 53, 55, 58, 61 cm
Seat/steering angle: 73.5°/73.5°
Seat/top/head tube: 540/570/200 mm
Wheelbase/caster: 1,000/54 mm
Stack/reach***: 604/393 mm
EQUIPMENT
Fork: Carver
Steering bearing: FSA, 1-1/8 inch
Brakes/gears/bottom bracket: Shimano Ultegra (50/34 t.)
Wheels/tyres: Ritchey WCS Zeta/Schwalbe Ultremo R1
Handlebar/stem: Ritchey WCS Streem/4Axis
Saddle/ seatpost: Ritchey WCS/Ritchey WCS Carbon (31.6 mm)
*weighted weights; **manufacturer's specification; test frame size greased; ***stack/reach: projected vertical or horizontal dimension from centre of bottom bracket to top edge of headset cap
