Riding yes, but not testing - under these conditions, no road bike actually finds its way into our magazine. But the 2011 vintage of road bikes already promises such a firework display of new and significantly improved road bikes that we don't want to deprive road bike fans of what's in store for them. After the new lightweight frame from Canadian manufacturer Cervélo (see TOUR 6/10 ->), a German manufacturer is now throwing its hat into the ring. We were also excited about Storck's brand new "Fascenario 0.6": Not only because the bike was announced as weighing less than six kilos. We also heard from Bad Camberg that Storck had reached a new and remarkable level of development in terms of system integration.
When Head of Marketing Mario Kuban pushes the racer into the editorial office, you immediately realise what is meant by this - because you can't see anything: The bike doesn't appear to have brakes. But of course they are there. Well hidden. Integrated, in other words. The front brake is concealed in the fork blades of the carbon fork, the rear brake in the enormously voluminous seat stays. Storck used this technology for the first time last year on the "Aero 2" time trial bike and is now setting new standards in the integration of components into the frame of classic road bikes. And: It doesn't seem to require any concessions in other disciplines of frame construction either - Storck is also keeping up with the leaders in lightweight construction and frame stiffness with the "Fascenario 0.6".
Let's take a closer look at how Storck realises the idea, which the former TOUR technician Hans-Christian Smolik presented around 25 years ago as filigree welding and sanding work, in carbon: Those of the front brake arms are firmly laminated into the inside of the "Scapula" fork from THM and inseparably connected to the brake shoes. They are controlled laterally by the brake cable, which runs through a hole in the fork crown to the right brake arm. The clamping screw for the cable can be reached through a further hole at the rear. Apart from the cable tension, there is nothing else to adjust; new brake pads can and must be inserted into the pad holders on the mounted brake. On the rear wheel, Storck has adopted the principle of the THM fork in the seat stays, where the brake arms are bolted to the frame and the slotted holes at least allow the height of the pads to be adjusted. During the first functional tests at a standstill, this all looks very confidence-inspiring, just as the whole bike already radiates a high degree of perfection and readiness for series production. Nothing about it seems improvised.
Light at the front, shadow at the back
Nevertheless, the riding test begins cautiously. A 5.5-kilogram bike is a breath of fresh air that takes some getting used to. The awareness that you are piloting the only bike of the new type through traffic does the rest. But the brakes quickly inspire confidence, they work as usual and there is a defined pressure point. Familiar components such as Shimano's electric "Di2" drivetrain and solid Syntace parts help to overcome the queasy feeling caused by even the slightest cracking of the wheel when accelerating. However, the rider weight limit of 85 kilograms promises the tester sufficient reserves. The propulsion that the flyweight develops when pedalling hard is absolutely impressive.
The first endurance test of the front brake is also a positive surprise: the braking power is beyond reproach, and the pressure point is also right. The carbon rim may also contribute to the moderate modulation. However, a few consistent brake applications with the rear stopper bring disillusionment. The brakes do work, but make such a loud squealing noise when you brake that drivers immediately pull over. The harder you pull on the brake, the louder it gets and soon escalates into an unbearable scream. For the rest of the journey, the rear brake prefers to remain unemployed. Kuban promises that the brake squeal will be eliminated by the time the bike goes into series production. But he won't tell us exactly how. So we can look forward to the Eurobike and the first test.
Lighter and stiffer
Storck gives the frameset weight as 1,750 grams, which initially sounds anything but sensational. This changes when you realise that the "Fascenario" frameset includes not only the fork and headset but also the "Power Arms SL" crankset and the new brakes. If you add this up, the frame and fork come to less than 1,000 grams, the naked frame alone weighs around 600 grams - the reason for the Fascenario's "0.6" suffix. We were unable to verify this during this first ride test, as we were not allowed to dismantle and measure the bike. However, with a weighed total weight of 5.5 kilograms without pedals and the standard components installed, the values seem quite credible. Storck also promises that the frame is ten per cent stiffer than the "Fascenario 0.7 IS". The "Fascenario 0.6" will be presented to the general public at Eurobike in September and should be available in shops by then. The frame set with fork, headset, bottom bracket, cranks and brakes will cost 7,499 euros and will be prepared exclusively for mounting the "Di2". Our one-off was probably even more expensive - and despite all the care we took, it still ended up with a scratch: During the photo shoot, a gust of wind simply blew the featherweight over.
