I discuss in depth with Chapter 2 Bike’s founder Mike Pryde about their high line aero-race bike – the KOKO – which can be the newest PEZ mission bike construct. Beneath I’m going via the complete construct spec that includes Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset, Chapter2 REHI45 aero carbon disc wheels, Mana built-in one-piece handlebar, Arundel cages and bar tape, and Scott Tofino saddle.
Click on Play to roll the video – and see extra on the PEZ Youtube channel right here.
And now for a more in-depth have a look at the construct…
It began with my unboxing some time again…
Out of the field, it’s straightforward to see this body was meant to cheat the air. The seat tube is formed to snuggly match across the rear wheel and go air round it to create the least quantity of drag, the place the wheel is near the body.
The KOKO is Chapter2’s aero race highway frameset – at the moment priced at $2849US for the body & fork. That’s a superb worth for a body like this.
The downtube actually reveals off the truncated Kammtail design, permitting for lowered drag whereas creating the stiff spine of this body – that extends from the top tube down via the underside bracket and alongside the chain stays to create a really steady platform for the drive practice, and to withstand the sideways torque brought on by pedalling.
The wheelset is new from Chapter2 – their REHI45 carbon disc wheels – 45mm rim depth and a pleasant match to the aero-designed KOKO ($1849US).
The strait fork blades are additionally individually formed like airfoils – wider on the entrance, then tailing narrower on the again. This picture additionally reveals the width of the downtube on the backside bracket, which actually helps create a really steady drive platform. Additionally be aware the pointed vanguard on the high of the seat keep – designed to slice the air and scale back drag – it’s a pleasant element.
Some fast details on the wheels: Form and design is Chapter2’s personal, they usually oversee manufacturing at their companion provider in Asia. They use Sapim X-Ray aero-shaped spokes (by no means a foul alternative).
However what I actually like is the huge 21mm inner width that enables the tire to seat extra overtly to the rim mattress, which in flip permits a extra pure – and efficient – contact form to tire, resulting in general higher grip, stability, management and efficiency.
This picture from the Chapter2 web site provides an thought of how air flows round sure factors on the body.
The airfoil form can be used on the seat stays, a bit of laborious to see on this picture, however they too are formed like mini airfoils. This picture additionally reveals how carefully the rear wheel is snugged into the seat tube to create the least quantity of dragged on this space.
And whereas we’re trying on the seatpost – take a look at their seatpost wedge – designed to supply variable stiffness choices. The wedge itself has two bumpers – one at every finish, and every of a special density (one stiffer, yet one more compliant). You’ll be able to tune the quantity of seatpost flex by selecting which manner you insert the wedge. For instance, inserting the wedge with the softer bumper on high, permits for extra seatpost flex, thereby giving a extra comfy journey. Insertion the opposite manner reduces seatpost flex and presents extra direct highway suggestions to the rider.
The system is a bit finicky to put in, however I did it with out a lot bother, and as soon as it’s set, you’ll be able to overlook it till it’s time to vary the Ultegra battery housed within the seatpost – ought to that day ever arrive.
The Koko frameset advanced from an earlier model body set known as the Rere (I reviewed it right here), one of many upgrades for this new body is elevated clearance for each entrance and rear tires to accommodate riders’ present selections of wider, increased quantity tires for extra consolation. I’m operating 28 mm Pirelli tires on this one.
The body is designed with a lot of tire clearance. I’m operating 28mm Pirelli P-Zeros, however there’s room in there for 32mm tires.
The cockpit options Chapter2’s personal MANA built-in carbon one-piece handlebar– which you should purchase by itself to mate with any body. Priced at $499US, it isn’t cheap by any measure, but it surely is likely one of the more cost effective carbon one-piece built-in bar/stem combos on the market, making it a strong alternative for anybody able to up their recreation to go totally built-in.
Inside channelling is slick and paired with the inner cable routing within the body units up for a super-clean and smooth trying construct – there’s not a cable in sight.
Throughout the highest the bar incorporates a huge platform, which from an engineering perspective supplies a bigger floor space to hook up with (ie: maintain on to), and likewise dissipate highway suggestions – which ought to make for a extra comfy journey on lengthy days.
The groupset is Shimano Ultegra R8100 Di2 12-speed – it’s been nicely reviewed across the net, and in brief is high line, splendidly although out and functioning gear. Enhancements on this newest iteration of their “second tier” wi-fi cockpit, embrace extra refined braking management, they usually say their “quickest shifting ever”.
Observe that I put “second tier” in quotes up there, to name out not that it’s one stage beneath their high line DuraAce gruppo, however as a result of anybody who’s ridden Ultegra up to now is aware of that it’s just about nearly as good as every other model’s top-tier gruppo.
Shimano has just about set the bar for technical perfection in relation to bike gear, and I can’t consider any cause why you wouldn’t be completely satisfied using it.
I’ll begin with the levers, since that is crucial level of contact, and the components of the groupset you’ll have a look at most. Ultegra first appeared in 1987, with the identify an amalgamation of the phrases “final” and “integrity”. The form and performance has advanced significantly since then.
This model hits all the trendy design scorching ponts – like ergonomically formed hoods that provide a number of safe grip-points. The levers now management each shifting & braking – with the latter being totally hydraulic.
Shifting is wi-fi, and managed by the 2 paddles tucked in properly behind the brake lever, and are totally customizable through the Shimano E-Tube app. I’ve mine setup to regulate the entrance derailleur from the left aspect, and rear gears from the correct aspect, however you’ll be able to set these to your personal desire, and likewise select which paddle shifts up or down.
Paddle shapes have been refined to be barely bigger that earlier variations, to permit for simpler attain from the drops, and likewise extra tactile suggestions.
The app additionally supply customizable shift speeds (though I’m undecided why anybody would need something slower than the quickest setting attainable…), different fine-tuning opitons and reference to different third celebration computer systems.
Drive Prepare
Shimano calls it their “confirmed HYPERGLIDE+ drivetrain know-how”. And they aren’t fallacious – fashionable design and manufacturing know-how actually is a superb factor, with proof proper right here in how quiet and easily this method handles gear adjustments below quite a lot of pedalling situations.
Individuals speak about how costly the topline Dura-Ace Di2 package is, however Ultegra has all the time been the good purchase as a result of it delivers nearly the identical stage of technical perfection as DuraAce, however at about 2/3rds the price (ymmv) – and I problem anybody studying this to discern any notable variations in efficiency between the 2 gruppos.
The rear derailleur – formally known as RD-R8150 Rear Derailleur is compatible with 11-30, and 11-34T cassettes. Shifting efficiency is superb, however what actually impressed me was the straightforward cost port positioned in the back of the derailleur behind a small safe door/ flap.
Not like different electrical techniques I’ve readily available with a poorly designed microscopic connector port which might be almost unattainable to see in the event you’re eyes are over 50+ years, or a system that requires battery elimination to cost them, the Shimano system is actually plug & play. The system comes with a usb charging cable that plugs proper into the rear derailleur – and blue mild comes on to indicate it’s charging, and when it’s prepared the sunshine turns inexperienced. So easy.
The battery lives within the seatpost, and is wired to the entrance & rear derailleurs.
The R8100 brakes use Shimano’s SERVO WAVE know-how that enables “a quicker preliminary chunk level adopted by a wider management space”. Backside line is best modulation – that’s higher really feel for the way the brakes clamp down on the rotors.
The brake calipers are stated to now ship quieter braking. Anybody who’s ridden disc brakes will by now know that braking noise can come up in quite a lot of types – like squeaking pads, impacted by moist or dry situations, warped rotors, and even not sufficient pad clearance. Shimano says these now have “a ten% improve in pad-to-rotor clearance to scale back noise”… which sounds good to me.
Upkeep has been made simpler too, with a separate bleed port and valve screw simplifies the bleeding course of, so that you (or your mechanic) not should take away the caliper from the body to bleed the system.
I opted for 11-34 gear (50/34 up entrance) which is definitely the widest vary on a highway bike I’ve ridden – however as i’m into my early 60’s age-wise now, I’ve misplaced the desire to push huge gears simply to show I’m powerful, and settled into some consolation realizing I can nonetheless journey up any grade round my hilly residence right here in Vancouver.
Arundel makes one of many cleanest cage designs round – they usually’re good guys too and have have been very long time supporters of PEZ. If you happen to haven’t already, take a look at their web site and deal with your self to one thing designed proper and priced for actual riders.
The Scott Tofino saddle is a contemporary formed (ie: shorter – nosed) saddle that gives some practical add-ons, with bolt-on accessibility for a proprietary mild, fender, and saddle bag that each one cosy up beneath. It’s a sensible little system, and I like how the sunshine matches up proper below the saddle putting it as excessive as attainable on the again of the bike, and eliminating the necessity to strap one on high the seatpost.
For this publish I needed to deal with simply the construct, and can discuss in regards to the journey of the bike afterward.
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