With a reach of 395 millimetres, Simplon's nominally 65-centimetre carbon racer is the smallest big bike in the test. Nevertheless, it was just right for our 1.98 metre tall tester. The low weight, high riding stability and successful steering geometry, which left him enough room for his feet, appealed to him so much that he would have preferred to keep the bike. The equipment - SRAM's impeccable "Force" groupset on the test bike - is generally chosen freely at Simplon. The mounted wheels, for which Mavic recommends a maximum system weight of 100 kilos, are open to debate. Heavier riders are better off choosing more stable wheels. A good argument is the long warranty, which is extended to six years after registration and includes an accident replacement policy.
Reference/InfoSimplon Fahrrad GmbH, telephone 0043/5574/725640, www.simplon.com
Weight frame/fork/headset bearing*: 1,222/457/94 g
Frame sizes**: 50 to 65, 3 cm each (65)
Seat/steering angle: 73°/73°
Seat/top/head tube: 650/595/257 mm
Wheelbase/caster: 1,022/58 mm
Stack/Reach/STR***: 659/395 mm/1.66
Equipment
Fork: Simplon
Steering bearing: Acros, 1-1/8 inch
Brakes/gears/bottom bracket: SRAM Force (50/34 t.)
Wheels/tyres: Mavic Ksyrium SL/Schwalbe Ultremo R.1 tyres
Handlebar/stem: Syntace Racelite 2 Carbon/F129
Saddle/post: Selle Italia SL/Simplon Carbon (31.6 mm)
*Weighted weights; **Manufacturer's specification, test frame size greased; ***Stack/Reach: projected vertical or horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the headset cap; STR: (Stack to Rach) values between 1.45 and 1.55 indicate a balanced riding position, values below that are race-like, above that comfortable
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