With the 2013 Tour of Britain suddenly at the top of our agenda, we thought we’d bring you a close look at one of the bikes likely to feature among its peloton.
Raleigh’s UCI Continental team will race their Militis bikes at home and abroad this season, and have made a superb start to their campaign, winning the prologue and third stages of the UCI 2.2 category Tour of Normandy.
Expect to see these stealth black machines at the sharp end when the Tour Series of city centre criteriums returns to our towns for 10-rounds from mid-May.
Former national circuit race champion, Graham Briggs, won the Colchester round last year aboard a model year 2012 Militis, but here’s a close look at its successor – the 2013 incarnation (we have an interview with Brigga in the can, so watch this space).
This team-level bike won’t be in the shops until June, but we were given a sneak preview from the good people at Raleigh. Price is TBC, but RCUK understands it will be in the region of £6,000. We’re hoping to get our sticky mitts on one soon.
Let’s take a closer look.
The range-topping Militis has a chassis made from T800 carbon filament and is equipped with a full SRAM Red groupset
The giant downtube unites with a head tube that tapers from a 1.5″ lower bearing
The oversized theme continues at the bottom bracket, built to withstand the wattage of Briggs, Scully, Blain et al
The downtube, with its flattened upper surface and an aero-profiled underside, is the Militis’ most striking feature
The headtube, which tapers from a 1.5-inch lower bearing, is flanked by discrete guides for internal cable routing
The flattened top tube is another nod to the Militis’ aero inclinations
A full carbon fork takes care of steering duties
The team issue Militis rolls on full carbon Cole T38 hoops shod with Schwalbe Ultremo HT tubs
A Fizik Aliante saddle provides a suitable match for the FSA K Force finishing kit
