Since the Hour Record bike regulations were simplified by the UCI in May 2014, there has been a rash of attempts on the title – and among those leg-burning, all-out efforts, we’ve had some gorgeous bikes to drool over.
So far we’ve covered the machines of Jens Voigt, Matthias Brandle, Jack Bobridge, Rohan Dennis, Dame Sarah Storey and current record holder Alex Dowsett.
This year, we’re looking forward to seeing Sir Bradley Wiggins take on the Hour on 7 June, while Tony Martin has also expressed interest. There’s always the hope that we’ll finally see Fabian Cancellara have a go too.
Top Five Hour Record Bikes Video
Hour record bikes
Video: Top Five Hour Record Bikes
Hour Record Bikes
Jens Voigt’s Trek Speed Concept
Jens Voigt was the first to attempt the Hour Record after the rule change and managed an impressive 51.115km in September 2014, beating Ondrej Sosenka’s old-equipment record by over 1km.
Voigt rode a modified Trek Speed Concept 9-series for the attempt, adapting the swift TT / tri bike for the track, as well as adding an apposite clock-inspired paintjob.
Check out the full details of Jens Voigt’s Hour Record Trek.
Matthias Brandle’s Scott Plasma 5
Brandle cited Voigt’s influence on him as a big factor in his choice to take on the Hour Record, which was hopefully some comfort to the German veteran when the youngster beat the record by 757m.
Scott modified its newest triathlon super bike, the Plasma 5, for Brandle’s attempt. The brand removed all the tri-specific additions and smoothed out the front end to make the bike as slick as possible. It certainly seemed to work for Brandle.
Check out the full details of Matthias Brandle’s Scott Plasma 5 including our video of the bike.
Jack Bobridge’s Cervelo T4
Australian Jack Bobridge was the next to attempt the record, but fell about 500m short of the mark set by Brandle. His 51.852km was enough to beat a 15-year old national record though.
The Aussie used a Cervelo T4 for the attempt, complete with the Cervelo P5 Aduro aerobar made by 3T and a pair of Lightweight Runkurs disc wheels. Perhaps the mismatched ugliness of the front end was a deciding factor here.
Check out the full details of Jack Bobridge’s Cervelo T4.
Rohan Dennis’s BMC TrackMachine TR01
Australian pride was soon restored by Rohan Dennis, who managed to overhaul Brandle’s record by 639m in February, posting a new world record of 52.491km.
Dennis’s BMC TrackMachine TR01 looks stock, but it’s been souped up by the brand’s Impec Advanced R&D Lab in order to increased stiffness.
Check out the full details of Rohan Dennis’s BMC TrackMachine TR01.
Thomas Dekker’s Koga TeeTeeTrack
The most recent athlete to attempt the Hour Record was Thomas Dekker, with the Dutchman having a crack at Dennis’s record on 25 February in Mexico. Dekker was unable to bottle the same magic as Eddy Merckx’s hour-beating success in Mexico and failed match the Australian’s record, setting a distance of 52.221km, just 270m short.
Dekker used a Koga TeeTeeTrack for the attempt, complete with Mavic Comete Track disc wheels and a 3T aerobar set-up. The spider-web paintjob was also mirrored on Dekker’s helmet.
Check out the full details of Thomas Dekker’s Koga TeeTeeTrack on Cyclingnews.
Alex Dowsett’s Canyon Speedmax WRH
Despite a broken collarbone disrupting his preparation, British star Alex Dowsett broke the World Hour Record on 2 May, his mammoth total of 52.937km outdoing Dennis by 442m.
Dowset’s Canyon Speedmax TT bike was adapted for the narrower rear track hub while any cable entry points were filled in for the best possible aerodynamic profile. Campagnolo provided Dowsett with the company's newly developed Pista double disc wheelset, crankset and chainring.
Check out the full details of Alex Dowsett’s Canyon Speedmax WHR.
Bradley Wiggins' Pinarello
Bradley Wiggins has already committed to put the World Hour Record 'out of reach' when he makes his attempt in London on 7 June. “I’ve got 55km in my head and I believe that’s realistic,” he told The Times. “And I think if I do that it will stand for 20 years.”
The Team Wiggins founder will be using a bike from sponsor Pinarello, but the actual model and any track-specific alterations are yet to be revealed.
Check out Bradley Wiggins' custom Pinarello Bolide.
Dame Sarah Storey's Ridley Arena Carbon
Paralympic hero Dame Sarah Storey took on the women's Hour Record in front of a packed crowd at the London Olympic Velodrome, but fell short of the 46.065km set by Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel in 2003. The Brit did set a new national record of 45.502km in the process, which was also enough to set C5 and Masters records.
Dame Sarah used a Ridley Arena Carbon for her attempt. Unlike the majority of the men’s bikes, the Ridley was a stock frame, built up with Shimano kit, an Infocrank power meter and a carbon Peekrings chainring.
Check out the full details of Dame Sarah Storey's Ridley Arena Carbon.