German high-end bike makers Storck rolled out a number of world exclusives at BikeRadar Live, courtesy of UK importers Poshbikes.
First up is the new 2011 Storck Fascenario 0.6 road bike, which has a frame weight of just 620g (57cm) and has been built up into a featherlight 10lb/4.5kg machine.
This all-new bike borrows the integrated brake design from Storck's Aero2 time trial bike, and comes with a THM Scapula F fork which also features an integrated brake. A new manufacturing process has enabled Storck to create a bike that's 20 percent stiffer at the bottom bracket and head tube (this applies to the entire new Storck road frame range).
You couldn't miss the ultra-limited edition Fascenario Red Dragon either. The Red Dragon has a hand painted (by brush, not airbrush) finish by a renowned Chinese artist. Only 10 frames will be made to this spec, as each finish takes three months to complete, making this option run to thousands of pounds.
Next is a full production version of the Storck Aero2 time trial machine, first seen at last year's Eurobike trade show. It features a fully integrated Shimano Di2 electronic groupset along with integrated brakes front and rear. The model Poshbikes were showing also has a one-off custom Zipp Super9 rear disc wheel and an equally custom internal nipple Zipp 1080 front wheel.
The Aero2 time trial rig
Storck also unveiled their 2011 Fenomalist, which has been created using their new carbon composite process. This, they say, will increase stiffness by over 20 percent while reducing the frame weight by over 30g.
Off-road lightness
On the mountain bike side of things, Storck revealed a fully tuned Organic Light, complete with carbon/carbon disc brake rotors, hydraulic gears, self levelling suspension (you need to see this!), new Clavicula crankset and world exclusive Schwalbe Racing Ralph tubular tyres. What it boils down to is a 160mm-travel full-suspension bike with a complete weight of just 16lb/7.2kg.
Clavicular crankset on the Organic Light
Continuing with the extreme lightness theme, there's the 2011 Storck Rebellion 1.0 cross-country hardtail. This has been tricked out with an array of superlight components, resulting in a 12.5lb/5.6kg bike.
The 100mm-travel Storck Adrenalin 1.7 also received its world premiere at BikeRadar Live. At 1,500g, it's the world’s lightest production full-suspension frameset. It was built up with a German Answer Xcite X-Ray fork – yet another part that was unveiled to the public for the first time at the festival – which tips the scales at an impressive 1,086g. Out back, the German Answer SLR Airforce twin chamber shock weighs a mere 147g.
It’s all about the bits
Tune’s new Mag 90 rear hub was worth a look, too. Its patented magnetic pawl engagement system has enabled Tune to cut weight to 96g. It may be amazingly light but it's also hugely expensive – how does the best part of £1,000 sound?
Schmolke's ultra-light yet immensely tough carbon road bars are now available for the first time to fit oversize (31.8mm) stems.
Liteville’s 2011 301 Mk8 frame
What else did we see? How about Liteville’s 2011 301 Mk8 frame built with German Answer's Xcite Boost fork (a triple chamber unit featuring infinitely adjustable travel between 30mm and 150mm), the new Tune 2011 Smartfoot cranks with integrated axle and outboard bearings, 2011 Tune Prince and Princess hubs, and Tune’s all-new carbon mountain bike saddle.
