Bicycles

On test: FRW Lancer XT

Details

Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: FRW

Published on Monday, 01 March 2010 06:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

A high range bike, leaders with absolute performance

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FRW Lancer can boast the title of World Mtb Junior Champion, won with Gerald Kerschbaumer. Already present in FRW catalogue was obviously confirmed for 2010 in two versions, XT and XTR. Is, to date, one of the best, if not the best expression of an aluminum frame Mtb highest level. The frame is aluminum with Scandium, hydroformed tubes of large diameter, but particularly on specific sections. Hydroforming technology, in fact, allowed to shape the tubes to the best, according to different stresses to which they are subjected. The triangle of the frame is compact with a short head tube. The pipes at the rear have a more regular and traditional shape. The bike, as XT MRD, is assembled with full Shimano XT group (controls, crank, chain, sprocket, gearbox and front derailleur), including disc brakes and pedals. Attack, bending and seat post are Ritchey WCS aluminum. The saddle is a Selle Italia SLR Flow. The fork is a Manitou R7 Seven MRD, fully adjustable. The wheels are Mavic Crossmax SLR Disc, which are supplemented by tires Aka Geax TNT 2.0; the bottle cage is standard, as the bottle. The bike is in the only colour you see in photos and in sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL, has a declared weight of 10.1 kg. The frame weighs 1350 grams. The sample of the test, in size L, has a weight of 10.5 kg, as observed with our instrumentation.

Road test

The bike FRW Lancer is a practical demonstration of how an aluminum frame, when well done, has little or nothing to envy to the "fashion" of carbon frames, indeed the opposite is true. Made with painstaking care the Lancer comes with a well executed painting, assembly and quality care, and the only new (and "endemic" in more companies) lack of effective protection to protect the rear tubes from the chain. Positive, however, that in the price are included pedals (always the same group that has assembled the bike) the bottle cage and the same bottle. In saddle we find a structure typical of FRW: natural, a good compromise between performance, comfort and need for control of the bike. This bike, however, suggests at once the first rides his character. With a wagon drive and responsive, thanks to Mavic wheels, light and sliding, and the Geax tires, each pedalling is a precise and clear transfer of power to the rear wheel and on the ground. So the benefits are significant, both fast, thanks to the excellent power transmission, and on more circuitous routes. Strait shows another positive side of this frame: the responsiveness of its steering. Changes of direction, as the entry of the corners are always fast, but, and here is the superiority of this model, always extremely precise. A bike, therefore, very manageable, but also stable and easy to control. There is always the reassuring sensation of having full control of the bike, even at high speeds, where stability is always good. There are, admittedly, more responsive bike, but then lost in driving accuracy and safety at high speed here is, instead, all the speed and responsiveness you need to go fast, very fast, but still continue a reassuring stability and steering precision. For this performance is the highest level, as it manages to be fast on the narrow, even challenging, as the fast, which deploys a very good stability. Hill is appreciated the lightness of the vehicle and traction of the rear frame, in addition to its reactivity and stiffness. That translates into a less comfortable than many carbon frames, but no worse than those frames, still in carbon, to search for that responsiveness and rigidity of an aluminum frame, it seems they have covered only defects (rigidity Excessive and poor comfort). This demonstrates how a FRW aluminum frame, when making a quality product, is undoubtedly more rigid and responsive to a carbon frame, but without giving up much in terms of comfort. Anyway this frame was created for competition and in this field is so competitive bordered on perfection. Shimano XT group is, as usual, a good compromise between quality/weight and cost and is seconded to the best Manitou fork, sliding, rigid and sensitive to adjustments. In this frame we have found an optimum calibration, smoother and less stiff than usual, providing greater comfort and response on uneven uglier without sacrificing the speed of placement in corners. Excellent brakes for power and scalability, with the only defect of a pressure be exerted on the lever just above normal. Ultimately a great bike, almost without flaws, perfect for the agonist, because reliable, lightweight and with great performance in terms of guidance and rigidity.

Price

The model being tested is priced at 3199 Euro, while the model with fork Sid costs 3399 Euro. The model Lancer XTR MRD coast Euro 3999 and Euro 4199 model XTR Sid coast, the frame kit is priced at 799 Euro. In all cases the prices is good in proportion to the product quality and performance benefits expressed.

Positive aspects

Build quality
Assembly quality
Weight
Frame rigidity
Responsive steering
Stability and steering precision
Performance
Braking

Negative aspects

There is no comprehensive impact protection for the chain to tubes wagon

To learn more:

FRW
Website: www.frwbike.it