Simplon's designers have incorporated both established and new carbon processing techniques into their new top model: the two-chamber system, known as the "Double Chamber", in which the down tube is partially stiffened and the seat tube in the area of the derailleur mount by an integrated centre bar, is already familiar from the "Pavo" and "Pride" models. The former also combined the three production methods of monocoque, tube-to-tube and lugs to make the frame equally light and stiff - with success. The "Serum" now features filigree seat stays and an integrated carbon seat post that is slightly bent backwards. Its fibre layup and slim 27.6 millimetre diameter are explicitly designed to achieve the greatest possible comfort on the saddle. The list of elaborate technical details does not end there: the carbon dropouts, the carbon fork with tapered steerer tube and the bottom bracket with press-fit standard, into which the crank bearings are pressed directly, add up to a highly technical, individual and innovative approach with which the Austrians want to emphasise their claim as carbon specialists.
The silhouette of the frame is characterised by the main frame in a classic oversized design, with the top and down tubes concealing their volume through the almond-shaped tube cross-section. The tapered head tube contains a 1-1/4 inch bearing at the bottom and 1-1/8 inch at the top, in which the tapered steerer tube rotates. The bearing play is adjusted with an Acros clamp, in which a grub screw twists two rings with angled surfaces against each other - a simple and elegant technique.
Simplon's equipment kit has eight variants available for the "Serum", groupsets from Campagnolo, Shimano and SRAM can be combined with various wheels, so that the price range extends from 3,599 euros with Shimano's "Ultegra" to 6,399 euros with Campa's new "Super Record". Our six-kilo test bike with SRAM's top "Red" groupset costs €5,649. After ordering from the dealer, Simplon promises a delivery time of just one week.
From a technical point of view in particular, Simplon's new top model deserves the title "top class". 1,346 grams including integrated seat post is a sensationally good value. Only Canyon's "Ultimate CF SLX Ete 201" and the Storck "Fenomalist Di2", both without an integrated seatpost, were 2 and 28 grams lighter respectively in the most recent tests (TOUR 1/2010->). The stiffness values of the frame and fork are impeccable, the Simplon can be controlled with absolute precision in every situation and even at top speed.
The integrated, slim seat post is visibly flexible and absorbs the roughest impacts when riding over cobblestones or manhole covers - only the BMC "Team Machine SLR 01" tested in TOUR 12/09 was better. The fork is much less flexible, it hardly offers any suspension and doesn't match the "suspension" set-up. The squeaking of SRAM's brake pads on Mavic's "R-Sys" wheels was annoying and could not be remedied even after repeated adjustments. The warranty conditions are exemplary: Simplon tests all frames on its own test bench for fatigue strength and grants a six-year warranty as well as a staggered accident replacement programme depending on the date of purchase.
ConclusionThe new "Serum" is the best Simplon of all time - it really shakes up the competition in the Carbon Champions League. From a technical point of view, the only thing to criticise is the fork, which is too stiff; from a visual point of view, the somewhat coarse saddle clamp could be tuned and a more filigree stem than the "F129" from Syntace could be selected. Both parts break up the otherwise harmonious lines of Simplon's new top player with their chunky design.
Web: www.simplon.com
Test bike frame size greased; **projected measurement from centre of bottom bracket to upper edge of head tube/seat tube height at 75 cm seat height (centre of saddle frame-upper edge of headset cover); ***adjusted weight for frame size 57 and fork steerer length 225 mm; ****The grade includes further individual grades that we cannot print for reasons of space. In the case of complete bikes, 60 per cent of the final grade is given to the componentry.
Photos: Matthias Borchers
