Fuji have launched a new flagship aero road bike, the Transonic, which Team NetApp-Endura will ride at the Tour de France.

A product of Fuji’s work in the A2 Wind Tunnel, the Transonic joins a road range which already includes the super-stiff SST and the lightweight Altarima.

Built to thrive on flat and rolling terrain, the Transonic includes trickle-down technology from Fuji’s aero track and triathlon ranges – including an aerodynamically contoured headtube-fork-downtube junction.

Seatstays sculpted around the rear brake – to shield it from the wind – and an aero seatpost with integrated seatclamp are also included on the frame, which was launched in Leeds ahead of the Tour de France Grand Depart.

New features include fully internal cable routing – including an internal Di2 battery – and direct-mount front and rear brakes, which are said to improve aerodynamics and offer increased stopping power.

Senior Fuji road product manager Steve Fairchild said, after focussing on stiffness and weight in their previous road bikes, the Transonic is next step in the evolution of the firm’s road range.

“With the Transonic, we partnered with our pro team NetApp-Endura and sought out a new focus: speed,” he said. “A bike with superior aerodynamics that would shine especially on flat or rolling terrain. We like to think of it as stiffer, lighter, and now: faster.”

Testing on the bike, according to the brand, has revealed a 121g reduction in drag compared to the SST and a 118g reduction compared to the Altamira.

A focus was also placed on handling, according to Fuji, and the Transonic has received the seal of approval from NetApp-Endura rider David de la Cruz, who is part of Leopold Konig’s support squad at the Tour.

“On the downhill, the bike is really safe,” he said. “Really precise in the corners. Take your hands off, and the bike goes in the same direction. Really stable.

“Another thing is when you go on the flats, it’s really easy to keep a good speed. You can go 50km an hour on other bikes, but it’s hard to keep the speed. It’s much easier on the Transonic.”