Bicycles

On test: FRW Diamond Heights Pre Season 2011

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Parent Category: Bicycles

Category: FRW

Published on Monday, 26 April 2010 08:22

Written by Luca Salvatelli

The new Diamond Heights FRW 2011 maintains the positive characteristics of the 2010 model, excellent performance and value for money

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FRW presented the evolution of the model Diamond Heights, which is renewed for the 2011 season with new graphics. The frame was completely revised last year, then a unidirectional 12K carbon monocoque frame, high module, the same material for the fork. The weight declared for the frame is just over 1200 grams. The frame has the main triangle with a classic design with well-sized tubes. The headstock is short and the number of steering integrated into classical measure 1 inch and 1/8. The fork has slightly curved blades and aerodynamic profile. The central movement is well connected to the rear, compact, straight tubes of good section. The vertical tube houses the seat in classical measure 31.6 mm. Two colours available: red/black or white/black, the same as last year, but completely changes the graphics. Available sizes are from XS to XXL. There isn't frame kit, the bike is sold only as complete product assemblies with Campagnolo Veloce 10v and Athena 11v; Shimano Ultegra (with traditional or compact crankset). The wheels are Fulcrum R7, in model Campagnolo Veloce, Fulcrum R5 the other two models. Groups, as traditions FRW are adopted in full. The tires are Vittoria Zafiro Pro Slick  in classical measure700x23. The pedals as standard are the Look Keo Classic. Bottle cage Elite is and always has the standard FRW custom bottle. The saddle is a Selle Italy XR Light Flow, while the Ritchey Pro seatpost is made of aluminum coated with carbon, and always Ritchey Pro stem and handlebar, both aluminum. Campagnolo Veloce version adopts the whole group with the controls, brakes, front and rear derailleur, chain, sprocket set 12/25 and 34/50 compact crankset. The bike, so assembled, the size M, has a weight, measured with our instrumentation, of 8.7 kg.

The road test

We had the opportunity to test the Diamond Heights assembled with Campagnolo Veloce, nor is born, then an interesting comparison with the 2010 model assembled Ultegra, which uses the same frame, but the group and different wheels. Version 2011 confirms the positive features of its predecessor: a bike care, where, although there is some product of those finishing their high range, you can not find obvious flaws. The painting is well done and better than other implementations, the realization of high carbon frame and nice, as always, the constituent assembly, which have the advantage of having a quality consistent, quality proportional to the group adopted and the price of bike. Improved bottle cage Elite, more refined than the 2010 model adopted, the adoption of positive series of Look pedals. More than good saddle, with hole for decompression of the perineum. Remains absent, as in the 2010 version beat the chain, while the cables are maintained steps and the frame is protected against accidental contact. Riding is found a position characterized by good support on the saddle, good ergonomics of the handlebar and also command Campagnolo. Look Keo Classic pedals confirmed sliding and an easy adjustment of the coupling strength. Moving version Diamond Heights 2011 confirms the positive characteristics of the previous model with a rigid frame and a cart reactive, that while no specific preference for ride comfort, the other allows optimal performance in relation to the purchase price. On the bumpy, so ride comfort is only sufficient, helps the good and the seat belt, but it remains a rigid behaviour, like a real racing bike. This inflexibility, as mentioned, allows significant benefits in plain or sprint, where the transfer of power from the pedals to the rear wheel is always good for the category and more than good in absolute terms. The performances are perfect accommodation from the fork, rigid and can withstand stronger braking, allowing a more precise control over the fast and secure. Uphill only to suffer the weight compared to other more expensive models, otherwise the bike is defended just fine even in this situation. Like all good FRW is the speed cornering and the ability to maintain the trajectory set, good stability at speed, where the bike is always safe and under control. Only on the bumpy, thanks to the responsive steering and frame rigidity, a greater decision in holding the steering wheel and keep the right line, but the behaviour remains secure. Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels, not very light, but with a good smoothness, and are well attended to by Vittoria tires here in Slick version, is also very rigid sliding. For weight limits in part the ability to raise the speed and acceleration out of tight corners, besides slowing down, even if imperceptibly, the entry speed into corners. On the other hand give the bike safer behaviour at high speeds and on rough. The Campagnolo Veloce, confirms its validity. Precise steps in the report is slightly noisy, compared to new 11Velocità, and must exert greater force on the levers to move the relationship; good excursion of the levers is not excessive. Excellent braking power front, more adaptable, but less powerful, rear. Overall performance of the braking system can brake more powerful and adaptable, even in the wet. Excellent rigidity aluminum crankset and its good flowability. Now we turn to the differences that have emerged with Shimano Ultegra version of last year. The bike with Campagnolo Veloce weighs about 200 grams more, even beyond whereas the Ultegra version was a size L and the Veloce is M, the weight difference to be found in the other group and wheels, the only components that vary. It's good to clear, then, that in last year's version was still adopted the old Ultegra group, then the 2011 version with the new Ultegra should be even lighter and extend the gap with the fast version. In the plains, as we shall see in the test instrument, the performance is virtually coincident: it is not surprising. The Fulcrum R7 have a smoothness comparable if not identical to R5, while also Campagnolo Veloce is equally Ultegra sliding, so the same frame performance is virtually coincident with a slight advantage for version Shimano Ultegra, but totally negligible. The biggest difference is felt in the changes in speed, where the Ultegra version, favoured by the lighter wheels, picks up speed more easily, allowing better performance on the trails full of curves and where they often must raise the action. Lighter wheels also allow input cornering faster and faster change of direction. Substantially the same braking power, but a slight edge goes to the Ultegra group, for more braking power back, the same scalability. Even uphill the Ultegra model has the advantage, both for the least weight overall, especially for the lower weight of the wheels. Still ahead Ultegra model for smooth action command, more sliding in the drive, itself, however, the precision in steps of relationship, but with more noise in the case of Campagnolo. In general, therefore, behave like a bike and overall performance very close together, although overall the most expensive model was best overall performance, not much, but noticeable. In both cases, however, we face a bike rather than good, with high performance and suitable for the beginner who wants to start already with a good model, as the more experienced cyclist who does not want a major financial commitment. Not a very comfortable bike, this is but a typical feature of high-end racing bike, very responsive and stiff.

Performance measured with Polar CS 600 Power

Explanation of why the test:

We decided to use the instrumentation Polar CS 600 Power to analyze the performance of the bike. Other tools we can indicate the values of stiffness of a frame, important information, of course, but they say little about the overall goodness of bike enthusiast will go to buy and its real value for money. It's clear, in fact, that is not just a bike frame, but also components which are assembled and which determines the overall performance. With the Polar CS 600 Power we know how many watts the athlete must develop to go at a speed X. The more rigid the frame is will be the best crankset, wheels good, other parts are good, so the lower the power requirement to reach that speed X, the better the goodness of the bike as a whole. However, a great frame, but with components on top, may have worse results of a mid-range, but assembled frame with good components. We evaluate then the bike as a whole, as well as buy from the dealer, not a single element of it, even if important. The Power Polar CS 600 is also the only instrument that detects the power generated without replacing crank or rear wheel.

The completion of the test:

installed and calibrated properly, the CS 600 Power, the athlete has come a perfectly flat stretch of road and in excellent condition, no wind and other interference. The athlete has run several sections the first 30 km/h constant, then 40 km/h and finally constant at 50 km/h constant, always with the relationship longer available. These powers needed to maintain the speed:

30 km/h 240 Watts

40 km/h 340 Watts

50 km/h 490 Watts

The commentary to the test 

The benefits identified in testing had confirmed the impressions on the road. The bike behaves with great performance that on average always higher than direct rivals. This is due both to the rigid frame and the rest of the components, all very smooth. Performance is virtually identical to the bike last year, assembled Ultegra, as in this test the weight of the bike, within certain limits, is very influential. But if the demand for energy is practically the same bike Ultegra assembled, because of less weight and better wheels, managed to reach top speed in less time, as noted in comparing the two different bikes. In general, the test still puts out the excellent chassis rigidity.

Positive aspects

Aesthetics

Rigidity and responsiveness of the frame

Price-performance ratio

Assembly quality

Performance

Negative aspects

No knock chain

Prices

These prices reported for the three versions: Euro 1699 Campagnolo Veloce model, 2270 model Euro Campagnolo Athena (Athena crankset with carbon) and Euro 2330 Model Shimano Ultegra (both the version with traditional compact crankset). Prices proportional to the product quality and performance emerged. Excellent ratio quality/price/performance compared to competitors. The price difference between the model and Athena Campagnolo or Shimano Ultegra is amply justified by the adoption of different groups and better wheels.

To learn more:

FRW

Website: www.frwbike.it

Tests carried out in collaboration with: Polar