Former track world champion Rob Hayles has joined forces with Onix Bikes to become the British company’s chief development and test rider.
Hayles, who spent his final season with Endura, retired from the professional peloton in October but has since been informally coaching Mark Cavendish ahead of the 2012 campaign.
The 39-year-old Hayles was also asked to run the rule over Onix’s 2012 range and has now inked an official deal with the brand, putting his name to two bikes; the race-tuned Onix Black RH Pro and the sportive-friendly Onix Black RH.
“I’ve always loved testing, developing and engineering. It’s part of who I am,” said Hayles. “I’m excited about the opportunity to help develop and test for such a forward looking British company.
“Putting your name to a bike is a big undertaking. Riding any new bike is always fun but whenI tested the 2012 Onix for Craig I was genuinely amazed at how good it was.”
The Onix Black RH Pro frame weighs 930g (1,340g including fork), with features including internal cable routing, BB30, carbon rear dropouts and an FSA Orbit C40 integrated headset. Frameset price is £1,399.99, available in 48.5, 51, 54 and 57cm sizes.
Meanwhile, the Onix Black RH (frameset price £1,199.99) has a taller header to provide a more relaxed geometry, with BB30, aluminium rear dropouts, internal cables routes along the top tube and FSA Orbit C40 integrated headset. The frameset costs £1,199.99 and sizes 52, 54, 56 and 59cm are available.
Both framesets can be built up as complete bikes, with a choice of Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo transmissions, SRAM, Fulcrum, Zipp and Shimano wheels and Deda, Onix and Zipp finishing kits.
