Looking for a fine performance at the forthcoming HTC Smithfield Nocturne, Rapha Condor Sharp team rider Dan Craven will nevertheless be swapping his regular full-carbon Condor Leggero for a prototype steel road race frame for the event. Handmade in Condor’s Italian factory using a triple-butted tubeset, the frame features a 1-1/8” to 1-½” head tube, integrated headset and more aggressive geometry compared to Condor’s current lightweight steel road bike, the Acciaio. It will use the same Deda full-carbon fork as the team- issue carbon Leggero bike.
“We’ve been building bikes from steel tubing for the past 60 years. Whilst other materials like carbon are rapidly becoming the norm, there are plenty of riders who want the characteristics of steel in a full-on road race bike” says Neil Manning, Condor’s production director. “Our new prototype is an exercise in integrating the new technology used in the race-proven Leggero with other materials. Why shouldn’t steel be used as a race bike material or tested within the ranks of the top pros?”
Namibian-born Dan Craven has pulled out strong performances this season, riding to 2nd at the CiCLE Classic this year after suffering two punctures and making it back to the break. He took victory at the opening round of the Ras in Ireland and solo wins at the Chas Messenger and Shay Elliot road races.
He explained that he is looking forward to testing out the next Condor prototype: “Having sponsors like Rapha and Condor gives the team an opportunity to actually have an input into the products; in this instance even a chance to go ‘old-school’ and rediscover steel.
“Steel’s time in the limelight may have passed a long time ago, but the material still offers many positive qualities and Condor have put together a great piece of tubing for me to test around the Smithfield circuit.
“First impressions have been fantastic and I really look forward to pushing the limits of the bike.
“At 8.3kg’s it might not be a lightweight, but neither is it heavy and considering the stiffness and responsiveness the trade-off should be well worth it.”
The full build for Craven’s bike features the same Shimano 7900 Dura Ace groupset and Pro Vibe finishing kit as the team issue road bikes.
