I speak in depth with Chapter 2 Bike’s founder Mike Pryde about their prime line aero-race bike – the KOKO – which can be the most recent PEZ undertaking bike construct. Below I am going by the complete construct spec that includes Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset, Chapter2 HETI C45 aero carbon disc wheels, Mana built-in one-piece handlebar, Arundel cages and bar tape, and Scott Tofino saddle.
Click Play to roll the video – and see extra on the PEZ Youtube channel right here.
And now for a more in-depth take a look at the construct…
It all began with my unboxing some time again…
Out of the field, it’s straightforward to see this body was meant to cheat the air. The seat tube is formed to snuggly match across the rear wheel and move air round it to create the least quantity of drag, the place the wheel is near the body.
The KOKO is Chapter2’s aero race street frameset – presently priced at $2849US for the body & fork. That’s an excellent worth for a body like this.
The downtube actually reveals off the truncated Kam-tail design, permitting for diminished drag whereas creating the stiff spine of this body – that extends from the top tube down by the underside bracket and alongside the chain stays to create a really steady platform for the drive prepare, and to withstand the sideways torque brought on by pedalling.
The wheelset is new from Chapter2 – their REHI C45 carbon disc wheels – 45mm rim depth and a pleasant match to the aero-designed KOKO.
The strait fork blades are additionally individually formed like airfoils – wider on the entrance, then tailing narrower on the again. This photograph additionally reveals the width of the downtube on the backside bracket, which actually helps create a really steady drive platform. Also observe the pointed vanguard on the prime of the seat keep – designed to slice the air and cut back drag – it’s a pleasant element.
Some fast information on the wheels: Shape and design is Chapter2’s personal, they usually oversee manufacturing at their associate provider in Asia. They use Sapim X-Ray spokes (by no means a foul alternative).
But what I actually like is the huge 21mm inner width that enables the tire to seat extra brazenly to the rim mattress, which in flip permits a extra pure – and efficient – contact form to tire, resulting in total higher grip, stability, management and efficiency.
This picture from the Chapter2 web site provides an thought of how air flows round sure factors on the body.
The airfoil form can be used on the seat stays, just a little arduous to see on this photograph, however they too are formed like mini airfoils. This photograph additionally reveals how carefully the rear wheel is snugged into the seat tube to create the least quantity of dragged on this space.
And whereas we’re trying on the seatpost – try their seatpost wedge – designed to supply variable stiffness choices. The wedge itself has two bumpers – one at every finish, and every of a distinct density (one stiffer, yet one more compliant). You can tune the quantity of seatpost flex by selecting which means you insert the wedge. For instance, inserting the wedge with the softer bumper on prime, permits for extra seatpost flex, thereby giving a extra comfy experience. Insertion the opposite means reduces seatpost flex and provides extra direct street suggestions to the rider.
The system is a bit finicky to put in, however I did it with out a lot bother, and as soon as it’s set, you may neglect it till it’s time to alter the Ultegra battery housed within the seatpost – ought to that day ever arrive.
The Koko frameset developed from an earlier model body set known as the Rere (I reviewed it right here), one of many upgrades for this new body is elevated clearance for each entrance and rear tires to accommodate riders’ present decisions of wider, increased quantity tires for extra consolation. I’m operating 28 mm Pirelli tires on this one.
The body is designed with plenty of tire clearance. I’m operating 28mm Pirelli P-Zeros, however there’s room in there for 32mm tires.
The cockpit options Chapter2’s personal MANA built-in carbon one-piece handlebar– which you should buy by itself to mate with any body. Priced at $499US, it’s not cheap by any measure, nevertheless it is among the more cost effective carbon one-piece built-in bar/stem combos on the market, making it a strong alternative for anybody able to up their sport to go absolutely built-in.
Internal channelling is slick and paired with the inner cable routing within the body units up for a super-clean and modern trying construct – there’s not a cable in sight.
Across the highest the bar incorporates a huge platform, which from an engineering perspective gives a bigger floor space to hook up with (ie: maintain on to), and likewise dissipate street suggestions – which ought to make for a extra comfy experience on lengthy days.
The groupset is Shimano Ultegra R8100 Di2 12-speed – it’s been effectively reviewed across the internet, and in brief is prime line, splendidly although out and functioning gear. Improvements on this newest iteration of their “second tier” wi-fi cockpit, embrace extra refined braking management, they usually say their “quickest shifting ever”.
Note that I put “second tier” in quotes up there, to name out not that it’s one stage under their prime line DuraAce gruppo, however as a result of anybody who’s ridden Ultegra up to now is aware of that it’s just about nearly as good as another model’s top-tier gruppo.
Shimano has just about set the bar for technical perfection on the subject of bike gear, and I can’t consider any cause why you wouldn’t be blissful driving it.
I’ll begin with the levers, since that is an important level of contact, and the components of the groupset you’ll take a look at most. Ultegra first appeared in 1987, with the identify an amalgamation of the phrases “final” and “integrity”. The form and performance has developed significantly since then.
This model hits all the fashionable design scorching ponts – like ergonomically formed hoods that supply a number of safe grip-points. The levers now management each shifting & braking – with the latter being absolutely hydraulic.
Shifting is wi-fi, and managed by the 2 paddles tucked in properly behind the brake lever, and are absolutely customizable by way of the Shimano E-Tube app. I’ve mine setup to manage the entrance derailleur from the left aspect, and rear gears from the suitable aspect, however you may set these to your individual desire, and likewise select which paddle shifts up or down.
Paddle shapes have been refined to be barely bigger that earlier variations, to permit for simpler attain from the drops, and likewise extra tactile suggestions.
The app additionally supply customizable shift speeds (though I’m unsure why anybody would need something slower than the quickest setting potential…), different fine-tuning opitons and reference to different third social gathering computer systems.
Drive Train
Shimano calls it their “confirmed HYPERGLIDE+ drivetrain know-how”. And they aren’t incorrect – trendy design and manufacturing know-how actually is a superb factor, with proof proper right here in how quiet and easily this technique handles gear adjustments beneath quite a lot of pedalling circumstances.
People discuss how costly the topline Dura-Ace Di2 package is, however Ultegra has all the time been the good purchase as a result of it delivers virtually the identical stage of technical perfection as DuraAce, however at about 2/3rds the price (ymmv) – and I problem anybody studying this to discern any notable variations in efficiency between the 2 gruppos.
The rear derailleur – formally known as RD-R8150 Rear Derailleur is compatible with 11-30, and 11-34T cassettes. Shifting efficiency is superb, however what actually impressed me was the straightforward cost port situated behind the derailleur behind a small safe door/ flap.
Unlike different electrical programs I’ve available with a poorly designed microscopic connector port which are practically inconceivable to see when you’re eyes are over 50+ years, or a system that requires battery removing to cost them, the Shimano system is actually plug & play. The system comes with a usb charging cable that plugs proper into the rear derailleur – and blue gentle comes on to indicate it’s charging, and when it’s prepared the sunshine turns inexperienced. So easy.
The battery lives within the seatpost, and is wired to the entrance & rear derailleurs.
The R8100 brakes use Shimano’s SERVO WAVE know-how that enables “a sooner preliminary chew level adopted by a wider management space”. Bottom line is healthier modulation – that’s higher really feel for a way the brakes clamp down on the rotors.
The brake calipers are mentioned to now ship quieter braking. Anyone who’s ridden disc brakes will by now know that braking noise can come up in quite a lot of types – like squeaking pads, impacted by moist or dry circumstances, warped rotors, and even not sufficient pad clearance. Shimano says these now have “a ten% enhance in pad-to-rotor clearance to scale back noise”… which sounds good to me.
Maintenance has been made simpler too, with a separate bleed port and valve screw simplifies the bleeding course of, so that you (or your mechanic) not should take away the caliper from the body to bleed the system.
I opted for 11-34 gear (50/34 up entrance) which is definitely the widest vary on a street bike I’ve ridden – however as i’m into my early 60’s age-wise now, I’ve misplaced the need to push large gears simply to show I’m robust, and settled into some consolation understanding I can nonetheless experience up any grade round my hilly dwelling right here in Vancouver.
Arundel makes one of many cleanest cage designs round – they usually’re good guys too and have have been very long time supporters of PEZ. If you haven’t already, try their web site and deal with your self to one thing designed proper and priced for actual riders.
The Scoot Tofino saddle is a contemporary formed (ie: shorter – nosed) saddle that provides some purposeful add-ons, with bolt-on accessibility for a proprietary gentle, fender, and saddle bag that every one cosy up beneath. It’s a wise little system, and I like how the sunshine suits up proper beneath the saddle putting it as excessive as potential on the again of the bike, and eliminating the necessity to strap one on prime the seatpost.
For this submit I wished to give attention to simply the construct, and can speak concerning the experience of the bike in a while.
Like PEZ? Why not subscribe to our weekly publication to obtain updates and reminders on what’s cool in street biking?
