With a comfortable riding position and low gearing, the bike is aimed at touring cyclists without too much sporting ambition. In contrast to the model tested last year (TOUR 12/2014), our 2016 test bike comes with reduced equipment features. The mix of 105 gears, Tiagra brakes and FSA cranks seems unconventional at first glance, but works satisfactorily with minor limitations: the Tiagra brakes are a little less responsive and the cranks don't quite offer the smooth shifting behaviour of a Shimano. At 46 centimetres, the unusually wide Zipp handlebars are a matter of taste, and the Ergon saddle also divided the opinions of the test riders. The ten-year warranty on the frame and fork is a good thing.
CONCLUSION Modern frameset with a riding position suitable for touring. Relatively light, equipment mix with weaknesses, small gear ratio
OVERALL GRADE 2.3
Price 999 Euro
Weight 8.7 kilos
Info www.votec.de
available by mail order
Weight frame/fork/steering bearing* 1,531/384/68 grammes
Frame sizes** 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 62 cm
Seat/top tube/head tube 520/570/190 mm
Stack/Reach/STR*** 601/394 mm/1.53
Drive/gearshift/brakes Shimano 105 (50/34 t., press-fit)
Wheels/tyres (weights)**** Mavic Aksium/Mavic Yksion Elite 25C (v/h: 1,204/1,642 grams)
*Weighed weights.
**Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
***Stack/reach projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (Stack to Reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 a very upright riding position.
****Wheel weights including tyres, cassette, quick release/threaded axles and brake discs if applicable.
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