The Dalkiia F1-Zero offers high tech aerodynamics and performance at an affordable price.
On the road during the last four months of racing and training the F1-Zero was a joy to ride and the position was perfect - the ride felt positive, direct, comfortable and fast all round, unlike some cheaper carbon frames which sometimes have a dull and unresponsive feel.
With a full carbon construction, all the tubes are shaped to give the frame every aerodynamic advantage, from the large teardrop shaped down tube and seat tube to the slimline top tube and waved seat and chainstays. The bottom bracket has been beefed up and oversized to maximise stiffness and ensure maximum power transfer, and this certainly feels the case while out on the road.
The cable routing is all internal, bar the front brake, with sheaths added to help with ease of assembly. This is a nice touch which aids aerodynamics and is one of the many features that give it the look and feel of a frame with a far higher price tag.
The full carbon bladed fork and a 60mm carbon aero seatpost (with alloy clamp) finish the package off nicely. Geometry for all sizes comes with a standard 76 degree seat tube and size specific head tube angle and top tube length to ensure the appropriate weight distribution and handling.
Our build used a mix of trusty Shimano Dura Ace and Ultegra SL, Pro monocoque carbon TT aero bars with a rear Planet-X disc and 50mm deep dish FSA front wheel. Once built up the front end looks impressively aero.
The big loud graphics won't be to everybody's tastes, but then again there aren't many high performing time trial frames like this one that are so competitively priced. Given their performance and cost, we're expecting to see quite a few of these at upcoming club and open events.