BicyclesTest: FRW Hunters Hill Pre Season 2010
The top tube is curved, with a much greater section rather than regular, but with a wide central band of stiff. The tube was increased oblique section and joins the bottom of the bottom bracket that has a bandage more. Everything new is the rear. The two lower tubes are larger, higher and thicker, and connecting the bottom of the bottom bracket with a greater area of conjunction, the higher and thicker. The tubes are high for most, however, but is there any difference between, on the brake in a single part, flat and very wide, which then joins the seat tube from the classic round profile. The monocoque fork is made with the same high modulus carbon frame 12k and now has larger sheaths, while having reduced its weight. The construction quality of the frame has remained the same on the "old" model, that is high and before defects. It is worth noting also that have been added protection (transparent) against the shock of the chain on the bottom of the tube and a rear protection, always transparent, which avoids contact between the frame and the final part of the rear brake cable. Both these solutions were absent on the old model, which we identified as defects.
We received evidence in the model assembled Ultegra, just the same quality level of the bike proved last year and this allows us a perfect comparison in assessing the true evolution of the model. The Ultegra group is used in full, as tradition FRW, with controls, brakes, crankset (compact in this case), 12-27 sprockets, chain, front and rear derailleur. The stem is the axis Ritchey WCs Wet White 4, while the fold, always Ritchey, is the Road WCs. The seat is always the model with Ritchey Ritchey Pro carbon, carbon fiber monocoque and double adjustable screw inclination of the saddle, all these components were also part of the technical equipment of the previous model. The saddle, however, has been replaced, it was passed by the Selle Italia SLK model, the model, always Selle Italia SL Flow White. In our test bike (size L) the cranks have a length of 172.5 mm, while for the rest of the attack sizes, bends and cranks are different in size according to the same size; typical FRW solution. The wheels are the new DT Swiss Monchasseral 1450, replacing the Mavic Ksyrium Elite of the previous model, while the remaining tyres excellent Vittoria Rubino Pro, pedals are Look Keo Classic, while this season, as for the whole range FRW, is supplied as standard bottle cage, Elite, and the bottle. In this last case had highlighted their absence on the previous model, gap filled hours. The bike as assembled, in the size L, has a weight observed with our instrumentation, to 7.8 kg, 300 grams less than the old model with equal size and group adopted and with the addition of the bottle cage. Road test
The new model Hunters Hill has a nice jump in quality from a technical standpoint, not so much in components remained the same substance, as in the implementation of the frame that is much more refined in the previous model. It is nice to see that some "gaps" that were highlighted, such as the lack of protection between frame and door chain or the bottle, have been ably filled. Positive transition from wheels to Mavic even more refined DT Swiss 1450. Single sample convinced that there is a saddle, since it was abandoned the excellent SLK, move to a more simple SL Flow White. Apart from this, one can not but notice an overall increase in product quality, as also demonstrated by the 300 grams of weight off. In the saddle you will find the same great sensations of the previous model with an excellent ergonomics, is the command that the anatomic bend. Only the seat is harder and less comfortable with the former model. The Ultegra group is no longer a novelty, but for smooth action, precision and reliability, there is still a winning product. Excellent choice of relationships. Thanks to the low weight of the bike and at a 34/27 ratio shorter, even the least trained and the neophyte will not have problems to overcome the most demanding slopes. As always, modular and powerful brakes. Other safety devices from the pedals, sliding well and with a good base of support. Moving is appreciated immediately the new frame that is able to improve the already excellent performance of the old model. The new type of carbon and the new design, have managed to boost its rigidity and responsiveness of the rear. Thanks also to the new DT Swiss wheels good, light and sliding, the bike's ability to express themselves in raises and excellent acceleration and significantly increased, as well as its speed in general flat, thanks to the rigidity of the bottom bracket and the wheel rolling in addition to the total weight of the bike lower. Also up are rediscovering the same benefits, managing to keep a step generally superior to the old model. In addition to lower weight and the new wheels, affects mainly the increased rigidity of the chassis, which is the more noticeable than the old model. The comfort on uneven and barely improved, remains a more rigid and responsive that comfortable, but compared to the previous model (which we criticized for the lack of comfort) has managed to make a good step forward. In view of the benefits of strength and responsiveness of the chassis is hard to have, however, a higher comfort. New features of the chassis have also improved the accuracy of the quick guide and the disconnected, another critical issue on the old model. Now the bike better follows the trajectory set and did not need corrections. Remains a very fast bike in entering curve and requires only a minimum of pressure on the handlebars quickly to set the turning point. Once again it is preferred, therefore, give priority to the performance behaviour more "soft". With these characteristics, therefore, it was still the fastest in the downhill and the guided tours or circuits citizens, with continuous braking and raises. Excellent behaviour of the range, has improved the ability to absorb shocks without losing rigidity and precision driving in the most violent braking.
The benefits observed with the Polar CS 600 Power
Why this Test We decided to use the instrumentation Polar CS 600 Power to analyze the performance of the bike. Other tools we can give the values of stiffness of a frame, important information, but they say little about the overall goodness of the bike that will be keen to buy and its real value for money. It 'clear that a bike is not only frame but also the components with which it is assembled and which determines the overall performance. With the Polar CS 600 Power can tell how many watts the athlete must develop to move at a speed X. The more rigid frame is the best crankset, wheels good, the rest of the good components, the lower will be the power required to reach that speed X, the better the goodness of the bike as a whole. By contrast, an excellent frame, but with non-top, may have the worst results of a frame of medium range, but assembled with good components. We evaluate then the bike as a whole, as well as buy from the dealer, not a single element of it, although important. The Polar CS 600 Power also is the only tool that allows to detect the power developed without replacing crank or rear wheel. The completion of the test: 30 Km/h 190 watts 40 Km/h 290 watts 50 Km/h 440 watts The commentary on the instrumental test
The test confirmed the impressions on the road, with a significant increase in performance compared to the old model. The new wheels and in particular the new frame allow better transmission of power and a noticeable and tangible improvement in performance of the bike that is on equal wattage developed significantly faster than the old model. The particulars
       Conclusions
The new version Hunters Hill has put on show a significant overall improvement of its performance and its overall quality. An entirely new chassis, better quality, more rigid and responsive and dynamic with better skills. New wheels better than the old envelope and a better attention to details like the beat chain or bottle cage. A model that actually moves the bike above. The new Hunters Hill is proving a winner for the performance and driving skills, with a predominance of the gifts of strength and responsiveness, than the comfort that is better than before. The only part that has not convinced us, in a bike that is certainly better than the past, is the new saddle is stiffer and less comfortable in the old.
Construction quality of the frame Rigidity and responsiveness Assembly quality Performance Complete Equipment Increased performance compared to the previous model Negative aspects
The saddle is less comfortable than the previous model
The prices
For further informatios: Freewheeling S.r.l. Via Barsanti, 10 Fornace Zarattini 48100 (RA)-Italy tel. 0544 461525 fax 0544 462096 Website: www.frwbike.it In collaboration with:
|
All Site content is copyrighted. Do not copy any content, in whole or in part, of Ciclonline.com
Ads Ciclonline.com
Latest News - BicyclesLatest News - Clothing and Accessories |
Latest News - Tecnique |
Latest News - Video Gallery |
Latest News - Biomechanic and Training
|