The bike you’re looking at is the choice of the Rapha/Condor/Recycling.co.uk professional cycling team. And aside from the obvious items (saddle, pedals) that the riders might change to taste, you too can ride the very same bike that Dean Downing and his team have been piloting to much success this year.
For 2008 the frame sees several updates. There’s a new Dedacciai DCS SL tubeset, with both uni-directional and bi-directional high modulus carbon that is said to need less resin than before, meaning a drop in weight but without a loss in stiffness. Dedacciai use a carbon wrap method for the front triangle, in which layers of carbon fibre sheet are laid in place over mitred and butt-bonded joints. Bonded to the front triangle is a Deda Drive Bax/Tail made from Toray 700/900 carbon. The result is a frame that weighs a claimed 1,035g.
New too is the Deda Wave carbon fork, weighing 360g, which makes a nice aesthetic partner to the curvy seat and chain stays. The gloss black paint finish is both classy and subtle, and paired with the simple white and pink decals, makes a striking impression. Coupled with a Shimano Dura-Ace groupset, new Dura-Ace 1380 wheels and Deda finishing kit, it’s a bike that is ready to race.
Dean Downing has been successfully campaigning on board a Leggero, with just a few modifications. “I love racing on deep section tubular carbon wheels, but the setup I tend to go for is high brake/gear shifters, I call them my ‘shooters’ and all the lads seem to take the piss out of me for them. I need them high as I am getting old now, it’s better for my back.”
As pictured, a Team Edition Leggero will set you back just £2,899.99. If you want the same frame but with a different build, prices start from £1,899.99 with a range of colour options.
Read RCUK’s Condor 2008 preview article.
