Winspace is launching a new T1600 aero road bike with bonkers D-shaped vents where the seatstays meet the seat tube.
As it stands, the T1600 has only been launched in China, with a global launch planned later next month.
Winspace is one of the best-known Chinese bike brands. Founded in 2008, it offers performance road bikes at more budget-friendly prices.
The brand’s previous T550 aero road bike was first launched in 2017 and was updated five years later, and it cut a far more conventional shape compared to the T1600.
The T1600’s vents are said to reduce air turbulence and improve the aerodynamic performance of the bike. That’s according to Winspace, anyway.
In principle, the vents seem similar to how Trek introduced a hole to the Madone’s seat tube, called IsoFlow.
Trek says IsoFlow improves aerodynamics by accelerating the airflow through the turbulent wake of the bike and rider.
But we don’t currently know enough about Winspace’s new design to say exactly if that’s what’s going on here.
Winspace says the frame weighs 900g in an unpainted size medium and that it combines T100 and T1100 carbon fibre with Kevlar reinforcement around the head tube.
According to cyclisthub, the T1600 was tested against a T1550 Gen 2 with a Winspace Zero SL handlebar in a wind tunnel, where it was 5.5 watts faster at 48km/h.
A Weight Weenies post suggests the frame has clearance for 32mm tyres and a T47 bottom bracket, but these details are unconfirmed.
Winspace has also launched a new ‘Kevlar’ handlebar and ‘Hyper’ wheels alongside the frame.
With a handlebar, the T1600 is priced at 19,300 Chinese Yuan. That’s roughly £1,980 (or $2,648) but Winspace’s prices do not include duty or VAT.
We have contacted Winspace for further details.
