Czech carbon specialists Duratec are set to launch the Phantom road bike at this week's Bespoked show in Bristol.
Each Phantom frame is hand-crafted using a new technique. The full carbon frame is hardened from a single piece, with no glued on parts or subsequent joins. Using the latest Toray T1100 and Granoc carbon fibre, the custom-made frames weigh just 760g.
The Phantom is UCI-approved and frames and complete builds are available to order exclusively in the UK through Bicycles By Design with a lead time of approximately 6 weeks from order.
Pete Bird of Bicycles by Design commented, "It's fantastic to be working with Duratec, their material technology, hand built ethos and frame design heritage are second to none in Europe, which means the Duratec range including the amazing PHANTOM fit perfectly into our portfolio at Bicycles By Design."
Duratec has been making frames since 1997 at the firm's headquarters in Město Touškov, which lies 100km west of Prague. Milan Duchek, head of development and founder of the brand, has had a clear philosophy since the very beginning based on the production of quality bikes made of the best material.
"Coming up with a functional production technology is far more demanding in terms of time, finance and technology than designing the frame itself and its shape," says Duchek.
For the new model, Duratec has chosen Japanese Toray T1100 and Granoc fibres. Claimed by Duratec to be the most advanced materials with excellent technical parameters, the fibres are combined with Nanoalloy resin. Each Phantom frame comprises four hundred pieces, each one of which has its precise position, alignment, shape and level.
It's a complex process, but the result is a beautiful and lightweight bike; the pictured build, with SRAM Red eTap wireless groupset and Zipp 404 wheels weighs just 6.15kg.
Even among the steel beauties at Bespoked, the Phantom is sure to attract more than a few admiring glances. For more information visit www.bicycles-by-design.co.uk.0 Comments