Titanium specialists Van Nicholas have added a new machine to their stable, with the Aquilo specifically developed to integrate Shimano’s Ultegra Di2 groupset.
The Dutch company used the electronic groupset as their starting point, designing a race-orientated bike which features internal cable routing, an integrated headset and a press-fit bottom bracket, with FFWD’s 50mm carbon clincher wheels.
“Electronic shifting is something we expect to see more and more of in the future of bike design,” said Van Nicholas founder and head of design Jan-Willem Sintnicolaas. “So we wanted our first fully integrated model to be a true showcase for the potential benefits. Naturally, that meant designing a bike that shifts as fast as its gears.”
Van Nicholas claim that, with fewer parts, both systems benefit from reduced weight and a decreased chance of mechanical failure, while the large bottom bracket increase stiffness. Super-thin 14mm seat stays help offset that power transfer by providing a degree of flexibility.
The Aquilo, unveiled at last year’s Eurobike trade show, is made from the same 3AL/2.5V titanium used across the entire Van Nicholas range, with each bike coming with a lifetime guarantee. The Aquilo is available frame only for €1,399, while Van Nicholas offer a custom build option on their website, with complete bikes starting from €3,999.
