Here is my first build, and in trave mode. I race uk time trials, this bike is fast! I'm still keeping my giant Trinity for UCI events but in normal uk TT's this is prefect.
First ride report!
I was honestly sceptical about the claims of the non UCI legal Falco V, about how quick it could be.. If all the claims are right I should get close to Alex Dowsett's 10m competition record! My pb is 18.37, 11th fastest in the UK and 1.17 behind Dowsett, a long way!
Saying all that I was mightily impressed. My first reservation on set up was that I would not be able to get the excellent position I had on my Giant Trinity. But the full adjust ability on the Falco means I have nailed it bang on.
First ride the position felt perfect and I was able to get the watts down easily and smoothly, the 3T aura bars allow even narrower settings so I think my front end was more aero dynamic and I have a spirit level flat back!
Immediately on riding the way the bike cuts through the air was noticeable, even into a strong head wind I was cruising at 25mph warming up for no huge effort!
The frame feels very stiff with no flex from the 'beam' at all. It honestly did not feel I was riding something that looks so different! Power transfer was instantaneous, and whilst not the lightest, at just under 8kg, it sprinted up any small inclines no problem. (* strava KOM on a steep climb near Harrogate is a good indicator!)
In the race it accelerated up to 30mph + in no time and easily held it there. It did suffer to a degree from gusty cross winds due to the amount of frame that is exposed, but the deep Hed front wheel I am running will have added to that, but for me at 78kgs it was easy to control.
In the race not only did I win, by over 1min 30 in a 15m hilly TT. I completed in 31.16 a course record on the V2112 in Yorkshire and only 1min 20 off the national record that was set on a much more favourable day and course. Always telling is the strava KOM's - I took 1 INTO the wind on a race course (unheard of!) and 6 with the wind, including KOm on a corresponding 10m course runn on that circuit - Not bad in a race 50% longer!
Highly reccomended!
I hope the pic links have worked!? If not can someone tell me why!
Ps, anyone any advice on lowering my front end in this position it would help add I reckon there are a few more watts to be saved.
https://www.dropbox.com/...eqm9e54jz/Falco1.JPG https://www.dropbox.com/...G-20140607-00076.jpg