While a Women’s bike line isn’t something new to Ridley’s lineup, we continue to be impressed with the company’s standards when it comes to equipping us with precision machines for our racing, or casual cycling, careers. This year’s Ridley Jane Ultegra Complete Road Bike is no different, pairing up geometry mirrored from the Noah, but with a few component tweaks to account for our narrower shoulders, and wider hips. This Jane comes to you equipped with Shimano’s Ultegra 8000 drivetrain, a compact 50 – 34t FSA Gossamer Pro crankset, and a lofty 11 – 30t cassette to offer a gear for just about any hill climb you encounter.
The Jane skips the downgrade attitude that women’s bikes often are treated with in the industry, instead setting you up with the same geometry as the Noah, and the same stiff and feathery light carbon fiber. Ridley holds itself to high standards when it comes to its carbon fiber layups, boasting use of aeronautic grade carbon to start, and high-modulous carbon layups ranging from pliable 24-ton carbon to ultra-stiff 60-ton. These different grades of carbons are combined and laid up methodically to create an ideal piece of machinery for you to toss a leg over. As with the original Noah, the Jane’s different carbon moduli are used in different areas of the frame based on desired properties of stiffness, weight, durability, and road-noise damping.
The Jane also features a tapered head tube for sharp tracking and efficient power transfer, and the PF30 bottom bracket, internal cable routing, and electronic group compatibility that are all but expected in frames of this level. As with the Noah frame, Ridley incorporates its Future Aero Speed Technology (FAST) F-Surface design into the Jane, which involves fluted channels running the lengths of forward-facing tubes to trip air into a manageable layer of turbulence. That tripped layer detaches later and more cleanly, reducing the frame’s wake and overall wind drag.
When it comes to mountain biking, most of the time you have to put in the work in order to reap the rewards of a fun descent. So if you’re going to have just one full suspension rig, having one that’s equally capable climbing up the mountain as it is ripping down is a lot more fun that lugging around a hefty enduro sled. Which brings us to the Juliana Furtado 27.5 R Complete Mountain Bike—a bike that truly excels on the whole mountain. It’s Juliana’s go-to model for all-round riders, and has been completely redesigned for the current model year. The new frame is stiffer, has extra clearance for up to 27.5 x 2.8in tires, and has a flip-chip in the linkage that lets you adjust the geometry to accommodate different tire sizes and terrain styles. The geometry has been made longer and slacker for better stability on the downhills, with a steeper seat tube angle to balance things out on the climbs. The VPP suspension platform has new links with a reconfigured suspension curve that serve to improve small bump compliance and mid-stroke support without sacrificing bottoming resistance. The result is a versatile trail bike that’s nimble on tight technical stuff, but perfectly poised for tricky descents too.
The Furtado’s headtube is now slacker than ever, relaxed to a 66.5-degree head tube angle in its high setting and a more DH-friendly 66.2-degree head tube angle in the lowest setting. The inclusion of the flip-chip allows for this subtle change giving you the ability to tune the bike’s geometry for different terrain and riding styles. Looking to hit the lifts or shuttle and let gravity assist your day’s riding? Go low. Planning on knocking out that 6-hour pedal fest deep into the woods you and your buddies have planned out for a bit? Go high, and you’ll be treated with a bike that pedals well and doesn’t flinch in the face of technical trail problems on steep, rowdy terrain.
As noted above, the flip-chip not only allows you to ride with a couple of geo options, it also provides the clearance needed to run wider tires. Juliana outfits this particular Furtado with 2.3in tires on 25mm internal width rims, which offer the most precise handling, and is your best bet if you prioritize responsiveness and low rolling resistance. The rims on this build will easily support a 2.5in wide tire, but if you want to run something wider like a 2.6 or a 2.8, you’ll want to change your rims.
The other geometry updates include its slightly longer reach that’s grown by around 15 millimeters across sizes for a bit roomier feel in the cockpit, as well as increased stability at higher speeds. To keep efficient pedaling in check, the seat tube is a full degree steeper placing you in an optimal pedaling position while you’re climbing those thousands of vertical feet where the fun begins or simply muscling up a short, punchy climb with rocks and roots standing in your way.
The Furtado retains the high degree of pedaling efficiency and bottom-out resistance of the previous version, but has a slightly revised suspension curve that is basically flat for the first 30% of the travel and progressive for the last 70% of the travel. This improves small bump sensitivity while making the mid-stroke more supportive compared to the falling rate of the previous version. The new upper and lower links improve frame stiffness, and while other DH-oriented frames in the Juliana line have moved to a lower-link mounted shock, the Furtado retains its upper link-mounted shock as to not lose the pedaling efficiency and bottom out resistance needed for the reduction in travel. The Fox Float Performance DPS shock is tuned by Juliana specifically for lighter, female riders, maximizing sensitivity and response without bobbing when you lay down the power.
This build comes with a sturdy aluminum frame backed by Santa Cruz’s renowned lifetime frame and pivot bearing warranty. The NX Eagle drivetrain has a seriously wide gear range capable of tackling steep terrain both up and down the mountain, with a 50t bailout gear for exceptionally tough climbs, all while delivering precise shifts for quick accelerations. When you have to keep that momentum in check, SRAM Guide T brakes do it well with plenty of stopping power and modulation. On rough terrain, Fox suspension does an exceptional job damping the trail with intuitive adjustments to dial in the settings for your weight and riding style. Lastly, proven Maxxis rubber keeps the bike glued to the ground on everything from fast hardpack straightaways to super loose silty corners, and comes set up tubeless for self-sealing peace of mind out on the trail.
Quick enough for cross-country hot-laps and composed enough for trail riding, the Joplin Carbon CC Mountain Bike Frame from Juliana lets you hit the mid-week XC races while still giving you the capability to tackle all-day backcounty epics on the weekends. Its playful yet efficient demeanor allows you to blast over slickrock slabs, carve through loam berms, and smash up an over root lattices with ease. The Joplin can be built up as a fast-rolling XC machine in 29er form, however, it defies categorization with its flip-chip linkage switching effortlessly between 29 and 27.5+ wheels, all without significantly altering geometry or messing with suspension kinematics. The flip-chip is key to the Joplin’s dual persona, easily transitioning from the mile munching benefits of a 29er to the grip and rock-crawling ability of 27.5+ wheels and tires.
This top-shelf version of the Joplin receives Juliana’s Carbon CC frame for weight savings in the neighborhood of 280 grams, versus the lower-priced Carbon C frame. This is a significant weight saving that’s likely to appeal to the competitive cross-country racer or discerning trail rider looking to shave every possible ounce from their ride. And even though it’s lighter than Juliana’s lower-priced Carbon C frame, you’ll be pleased to note it’s every bit as strong and stiff, so you won’t sacrifice anything in terms structural integrity or ride characteristics.
Borrowing design cues from Santa Cruz’s iconic Tallboy, the Joplin blurs the line between razor-sharp XC scalpel and spirited trail bike with its 110-millimeters of VPP suspension paired with Juliana’s recommendation for running either a 120 or 130-millimeter fork (29er/27.5+). The combination of shorter travel out back with extra plushness out front makes it pedal with resounding efficiency, but with greater margin for error when you’re dropping into rocky descents. Where the Joplin differs from the Tallboy lies within its female-specific shock tune, which is targeted towards the lighter bodies of female riders. By tuning the FOX Float Performance Elite DPS shock for lighter female riders, you’ll find it’s more sensitive tracking over roots and rocks.
The VPP suspension gets 10-millimeters of extra travel over the first generation Joplin, aligning the newest version with the current crop of do-it-all trail rigs with approximately 4.5-inches of travel. Not only is the travel a bit more substantial at 4.5 inches/110 millimeters, but the revised VPP platform makes it perform better, so you can squeeze every last drop of bump-smoothing compliance from the suspension. Juliana engineered it to be more sensitive off-the-top, meaning you’ll gain better traction when you’re pedaling over bumpy sections of small rocks and roots. The shock’s ramp-up arc remains more consistent until the end-stroke, at which point it becomes progressive to resist bottom-outs on bigger hits and steep descents. This shock progression is especially important, as it allows you to use a 110-millimeter travel bike on bigger terrain where you’d normally blow through all your travel.
One of the Joplin’s best features lies in the ability to switch between high and low geometry settings with its flip-chip, and in doing so, change the fast-rolling 29-inch wheels for the voluminous traction of 27.5+ wheels. The flip-chip rotates along the upper link, allowing the shock mount to migrate between high (29er) and low (27.5+) settings, but without a drastic change in the bike’s geometry. In fact, Juliana preserved the 68-degree head tube angle between both sizes for confident descending. Other notable geometry notes, both wheel sizes benefit from 17-inch chainstays for snappy turns around tight corners, as well as a 13-inch bottom bracket for glued-to-the-ground stability at higher speeds.
When taking on trails that feature massive berms, tight switchbacks, long climbs, and solid descents, you need the nimble handling and playful suspension of the Juliana Furtado 27.5+ D Complete Mountain Bike. Don’t worry, its twitchy control and efficient climbing feel don’t sacrifice the strength and power you need to plow down technical trails at speed. From the 130-millimeters of VPP travel to the extended geometry that maximizes rider confidence and control, the Furtado is the quiver-killer that expands the classification of a trail bike. Updates include a slacker head tube, a lower bottom bracket—making this trail bike reach toward enduro style—and a WTB wheelset that uses SRAM hubs and Boost axles for a more efficient ride that matches the current industry standard.
The Furtado emphasizes surgical precision, especially on tighter trails where trees and rocks pose clearance issues. That being said, this bike doesn’t sacrifice much in the way of descending composure versus the Roubion—its enduro-bred, big sister—thanks to a reinvigorated geometry that’s longer, slacker, and low-slung. The sub-67-degree head tube angle keeps you confident and composed when you’re dropping into steep descents littered with rocks and sudden drops. Plus, it retains one of the lowest bottom brackets in Juliana’s line at a mere 13.1 inches, keeping you glued to the trail when you’re charging at high speeds and railing around corners. Another notable geometry number, the 16.7-inch chainstays are shorter than your average trail bike, making it quick to change direction around corners.
The inclusion of flip-chip technology allows for a subtle change from the 66.5-degree head tube angle in the high setting and a 66.2-degree head tube angle in its low setting. It not only allows you to ride with a couple of geo options, but also provides the clearance needed to run wider tires up to 2.8 inches in width. Juliana outfits this particular Furtado with their 2.6-inch tires, which deliver all the traction and bump-smoothing benefits of a traditional 2.8-inch tire, but without feeling bouncy, slow, or excessively heavy. This 2.6-inch tire really gives you the best of both worlds, traction and plushness over the rockiest stretches of trail, but without the rolling resistance or tire squirm under braking and hard-cornering like a larger 2.8-inch tire.
As you’d expect with the Furtado, it retains the high degree of pedaling efficiency and bottom-out resistance of the previous version. This VPP platform neatly tucks the lower link above the bottom bracket to protect it from rock strikes and damage from flinging trail debris. The upper portion remains attached to the top tube with a new stiffer box-section upper link. While other DH-oriented frames in the Juliana line have moved to a lower-link mounted shock, the Furtado retains its upper link-mounted shock, as to not lose the pedaling efficiency and bottom out resistance needed for the reduction in travel. That being said, it’s spec’d with a FOX Float Performance DPS shock for a supple feel with improved traction while pedaling over bumpy trail sections, as well as greater resistance to heating up for more consistency on those long descents. Juliana tuned the shock specifically for lighter, female riders, so this bike complements your riding style in a manner that maximizes sensitivity and response without sacrificing power.
The D build consists of SRAM’s NX drivetrain, which offers a great gear range and puts the final nail in the front derailleur’s coffin. The simplicity, weight savings, and reliability of a 1x is hard to argue. Other notable features of this build are the Rock Shox Recon fork with its reliably stiff chassis and consistent damping, the SRAM hydraulic disc brakes that provide confidence-inducing stopping power, and the integrated headset that provides a lightweight, simplified mechanism with decreased maintenance needs.
Please note, because the alloy version of the Furtado uses an integrated headset, the headtube measurement is 10 millimeters longer than what’s indicated on the geometry chart, as to match the same headtube measurement as the carbon frame with its external lower cup and internal upper cup installed. Other than this headtube measurement, everything indicated on the geometry chart is accurate.
Aptly named after the Italian word for witch, the Juliana Strega Carbon R Complete Mountain Bike is a magical ride that flies down mountains without hesitation, and seems to be conjured from a cauldron mixed with rock gardens, rooty tree lines, gravity, carbon fiber, and maybe even an engineer’s finger or toe for good measure. The Strega is not designed for just any woman who reaches for a mountain bike, it casts its spell on women who want to ride like a bat out of hell through the roughest terrain. The unwavering stability necessary for this kind of riding is achieved through an incredibly slack head tube angle, which is adjustable with the flip of a flip-chip on the linkage, so you can customize the ride from the High, enduro and gravity hungry 65-degree head tube angle, to the downhill centric 64.5 degrees, which drops the bottom bracket and elongates the wheelbase.
We all hear about long and low geometry in mountain bikes so often that we might think someone may have hexed us, but the Strega is so slacked out it’s impossible not to comment on the length of the wheelbase. With just over a 47in wheelbase in size Medium (low geometry setting), the Strega is incredibly long and stable, and the slackest women’s specific bike currently on the market. When the long wheelbase is paired with short chainstays for a responsive rear end, and a seat tube angle that’s even steeper than the Roubion at 74.5-degrees, you’ve got a long-travel bike that is still happy to be pedaled up steep climbs, so you’re not cursed to a life of nothing but shuttles and lift access riding.
The Strega’s VPP suspension design takes some cues from the Santa Cruz V10 with it’s lower link location, but dives into territory that hasn’t been on the market before, and it’s done in such an aesthetically pleasing way that we’ll go out and say damn sexy. Nestled in the lower-link is the RockShox Super Deluxe RCT shock, with 170mm of suspension, centered within a tunnel of meticulously laid-up carbon fiber that arcs around it as if to worship it, capped with a fender in the back to shield it from mud and stray rubble.
The location of the shock at the lower link translates to a more linear shock rate with a quick responding and consistent ride that wants to track its way through rubble and roots. This shock placement marks an extreme departure from the suspensions of the Roubion, Furtado, and Joplin. The Super Deluxe R air shock was redesigned with increased bushing overlap for a smoother stroke to send it over chunder, and metric sizing to future-proof it, should you want to upgrade the rear suspension later down the road. The shock also received a women’s specific shock tune for the Strega, since we tend to weigh an average of 30lbs less than the guys on the trails.
SRAM’s NX drivetrain tags along with the Strega Carbon C frame, with a versatile cassette that can stand quite a bit of abuse, and a gear ratio that so large you can move from a 10-tooth small ring for laying down maximum power, all the way out to 42-tooth cog for working your way up precarious climbs. A 170mm RockShox Yari RC fork sits beneath the head tube, with 35mm stanchions that are stiff enough to track through the gnarliest trails. And, since all good things come in threes, the fork is capped with a 35mm Race Face stem and 35mm bar, for ultimate stiffness and control.
The Strega Carbon C uses Juliana’s second-tier carbon, which hosts similar construction to their higher grade CC carbon, but uses a different grade carbon material that adds a mere 250-280g to the frame, and saves on money. The carbon is constructed using the same one-piece carbon layup technique as their CC level, with unidirectional carbon piles that wrap between tubes so that the frame can absorb impact more effectively, and a compressive bladder for applying outward pressure against the mold while carbon is curing to reduce resin pooling. The result is a bike that lures us in with its spellbinding aesthetics and captures our souls with the drive to fly down every mountain in site on a bike so light that we may confuse it for a magic broomstick.
These days, being a woman in the mountain bike world is certainly starting to seem less challenging, and more welcoming. More capable, aggressive, and burly bikes are being made for us, catering to our wants and needs, and the world of shrink-it and pink-it is beginning to dissipate. With our needs in mind, Yeti’s designers offer us the Yeti Beti SB5 Turq Mountain Bike Frame. With all the burly bells and whistles that are offered to the boys, the Beti SB5 is ready to shred any trail, and a couple of ladies-specific tweaks make it even more playful and fun. Saddle up and you just may find yourself sending it down the mountain as an unstoppable force to be reckoned with.
Head to toe, or rather, head tube to chainstay, you’ll find the Beti has the same geometry as her brother. With a slacked out, confidence inspiring 66.5-degree head tube, she wants to send it down any trail you point her, and her generous 46-inch wheelbase (medium), she holds strong so you can barrel through bouldery rock gardens where hesitation can be the killer. In effort to prevent sluggish and cumbersome climbing, the bike’s seat tube angle saw a forward shift, keeping your body forward on the bike for maximum attack positioning, and efficiency when you have to put down the power.
Short and snappy chainstays make up the rear, which saw a makeover in 2017. The longer chainstays and narrow non-boost spacing was stretched out to 148mm boost spacing, an increase of space afforded the room needed for tucking the wheel closer to the seat tube, and shortening the chainstays to a stubby 17.2in. Shorter chainstays translate to a playful and responsive rear end, happy to pop off of rollers, and help you maneuver through tight and root-laden switchbacks.
Just ahead of the rear triangle, tucked in the bottom of the frame, you’ll find the —ahem, pivotal Switch Infinity suspension system. Different from the previously used Switch Link, Switch Infinity offers more linear travel arc, smoothly transitioning to keep the eccentric link from getting caught in a dead spot. Switch Infinity moves steadily through the beginning of your travel, moving a slider along it’s Kashima coated stanchions, offering support when you put the power down with anti-squat technology, while still offering small bump compliance to keep the ride comfortable on gravely fire roads. When you begin to compress deeper into the travel, the bearings on the downhill-inspired-slider pivot to travel toward the bottom bracket so you don’t lose power mid-pedal stroke. When you’ve finally made it to the top and are starting your well-earned descent down rock gardens and rooty single track, the suspension works with the upper pivot to provide a path for your wheel to travel vertically to smooth out burly square-edge impacts from a drop to flat, or a tire-hungry rock that came out of nowhere.
Pairing Kashima coated stanchions of Switch Infinity with more of that silky-smooth coating, the Beti SB5 Turq frame comes along with Fox’s Factory DPS, Kashima coated rear shock. The shock is where we find the major difference setting apart the Beti from other Yeti bikes. With most ladies on the trail coming in 30lbs shy of the guys out there, men’s shock tunes can feel harsh underneath our load, so Yeti offers a custom tuned shock just for us, giving us a more comfortable and responsive ride. Offering supple support as you roll down the mountain, the Factory DPS gives you 127mm of bottomless-feeling travel with adjustable tuning and rebound for the quick changes you need to make when terrain switches from a 14-mile flowy descent, to miles of tedious and exposed climb back up.
Adding to the bells and whistles, this frame is made from Yeti’s highest-end carbon fiber — the Turq series. Meticulously laid carbon fiber bonds around a mold to cure with minimal pooling, reducing weight, and increasing strength in joints without excess material being added. Turq is the cream of the crop in the world of carbon fiber bikes, with minimal margin for error, and exceptional weight savings, Turq frames ride with unsurpassable durability for a solid and smooth ride on any trail.
Yeti’s flagship trail bike, the SB5, has long been coveted among the rip-anything crowd seeking a balanced rig that’s lithe and light on the ups, yet well-composed and confident charging descents and rallying across technical terrain. Seeing its well-balanced demeanor, it was only a matter of time before female rippers wanted in on the trail fun. That’s where the newest Yeti SB5 Beti Turq Mountain Bike Frame comes into play, fueling your riding addiction across everything from lung-busting climbs to wicked descents with uncompromising poise and lightweight agility for smaller riders.
Seeing it’s origins come from the male-specific version of the SB5, you’ll be pleased to find the SB5 Beti doesn’t rely on a “shrink it and pink it” design philosophy. To really make this bike shine for females, Yeti gave the Fox Float Factory shock a custom tune that’s more responsive for lighter riders. Another benefit to smaller riders is the leading stand-over height, which does away with awkward dismounts and unwieldy handling you’ve come to know from riding on male-specific trail bikes. Just to demonstrate how much stand-over there is, Yeti claims their XS frame can accommodate 4’11” tall riders, which is an impressive feat for the smallest of female riders.
Enjoying the feathery disposition and impressive stiffness of Turq carbon fiber construction, the SB5 Beti Turq Frame drops approximately 12.3 ounces from Yeti’s traditional carbon. This lightweight carbon frame is evident the minute you step on the gas, surging forward with rocket-like acceleration. Yeti’s engineers achieve this feat by using the highest quality carbon, which allows them to reduce the amount of material without sacrificing strength or stiffness. To protect this premium carbon, Yeti employs custom-molded down tube and chainstay protectors that fend off flinging rocks and chunky trail debris.
Not only is the SB5 Beti Turq impressively lightweight, but it’s packing 5 inches of Yeti’s famed Switch Infinity Suspension for a highly efficient pedaling platform with distinctive anti-squat characteristics and a surprisingly planted feel on the descent. Yeti achieves this balance through a patented translating pivot that switches its direction as the bike progresses deeper through its travel, hence its Switch Infinity namesake. And though it may seemed outgunned on paper with “only” five inches of travel, Switch Infinity makes the SB5 Beti far more capable than meets the eye, especially across stretches of trail where playfulness and pedaling efficiency take precedence over brute force and downhill destruction.
We’d be amiss to totally focus on the SB5 Beti’s feathery Turq carbon fiber and exceptional Switch Infinity Suspension without mentioning its subtle design tweaks for 2017. The geometry is slightly slacker than before, with the head tube angle measuring 66.5 degrees for greater confidence and composure on the descent. To compensate for its slightly slacker head tube angle, the designers at Yeti made the seat tube angle a touch steeper at 73.7 degrees (size small) for efficient power placement when you’re cranking uphill. Ultimately, this means you’ll reap the benefits of a well-composed trail bike that climbs and descends better without giving up its zippy feel the minute you step on the gas.
Some of us believe in the N+1 theory when it comes to bikes. That is, the correct number of bikes in our quiver is always one more than we’ve got, but Ridley flips that theory on its head with the Liz SL Disc Ultegra Complete Road Bike. This do-it-all endurance machine is capable of hammering centuries and hill sprints alike, and carries its strength through to race day when you’re toeing the line with the podium on your mind. It manages to capture so many categories by combining a meticulous carbon layup with diamond constructed tubes that reduce aerodynamic drag, while elevating stiffness for putting the power down. This year’s Liz continues Ridleys trend of offering the same race-proven geometry to women as it’s men’s line, but with different touch points that better suit our anatomy, like a narrower bar, and female-specific saddle.
The Liz SL is built from a blend of 30t and 24t high-modulus carbon fiber, just like the Fenix SL, a move that we can’t applaud enough in an industry rife with examples of shrink, pink, and downgrade when it comes to women-specific fare. While its geometry stays the same in both the C and SL designations, the SL features a blend of 30t and 24t carbon layups to differentiate the two frames. The SL opts for a more expensive layup with two different gauge carbons, 24t and 30t, offering unbeatable stiffness, while maintaining intensely light construction. This particular model pairs its stiff frame with disc brakes, as opposed to the classic rim brakes. While they may scale in just a couple of grams heavier than their rim counterparts, the Ultegra 8000 brakes on this SL offer impeccable modulation, and the power to stop on a dime on the steepest pitches,
Ridley maintains the plush ride in a light, stiff as a result of a few design choices. These include narrow, flat-section seat stays that absorb power-sucking road noise while maintaining lateral stiffness. The stays feed into a vertically compliant 27.2mm seatpost, and the flat, curved top tube serves as a leaf spring of sorts that works in conjunction with the seatstays and slimmed-down seatpost. The net result is a system-wide vibration damping and compliance for a more forgiving ride across everything from rural chip seal to the jarring stones of Belgium.
The top tube and down tube utilize a unique multi-hexagonal shape, which is undoubtedly partially responsible for the Liz’s torsional rigidity and responsiveness. At the front, Ridley utilizes a tapered head tube that makes for increased stiffness while torqueing on the bars and exceptional handling and cornering capabilities while sweeping through descents or diving through the final turn before a finish sprint.
For an extra dose of stiffness, Ridley opts for a beefy PressFit BB86 shell. The wide bottom bracket shell anchors the oversized drive spine, solidly transferring every bit of power to the drivetrain without any watt-sucking lateral movement. While this frame isn’t billed as specifically aerodynamic, it does boast an integrated fork crown for a smooth transition between the head tube and fork that at least offers the appearance of aerodynamics. You’ll enjoy some drag-reduction benefits over frames without the integrated fork crown, and it just plain looks cleaner.
With the updates to its brother the Bronson, its sister, the Roubion Carbon CC X01 Eagle Complete Mountain Bike gets a reboot too and sees the engineers at Juliana reaching into their playbooks and unleashing an all-mountain ripper of a bike dedicated to female riders, creating a more confident ride while hauling the mail on natural terrain or lift-accessed bike parks. And just like on the new Bronson, Juliana creates a more aggressive Roubion by reconfiguring its VPP suspension, inspired by the Strega, strapping a longer 160-millimeter fork on the front, slackening the head tube angle with an adjustable flip-chip, and adding in a longer reach for a roomier cockpit and better composure on steep, technical descents.
For this third-gen Roubion, it receives a longer, slacker geometry that’s more at home on rowdy descents. Remarkably, it doesn’t significantly alter its all-around versatility, so that slack, long-travel plushness comes in handy on the downhills without being a detriment on the climbs. Specifically, Juliana lengthened the reach by approximately 15 millimeters across all sizes for a more confident, controllable ride at eye-watering higher speeds, plus that centimeter lower standover height offers a better fit with smaller riders and allows for more dropper post travel. The head tube angle slackens from the previous generation’s generously-slack 66-degrees to an even slacker 65.4-degrees in its highest setting, complete with a flip-chip that slackens it out even further to a near DH bike friendly 65.1-degrees. These were numbers usually reserved for freeride or mini-DH bikes just a few years ago, so you can guess what this offers while bombing down technical descents full of steep drop-offs and nasty rock sections.
The other significant change to the latest Roubion lies in a reconfigured VPP suspension platform. Instead of relying on the previous upper-link driven design, the third-generation Roubion enjoys the increased bump compliance and glued-to-the-trail traction you’ll experience with a VPP suspension driven by a lower-link mounted shock that’s inspired by the V10 and Nomad. This lower-link driven VPP suspension platform is something that’s reserved exclusively for the Roubion and Strega on the Juliana lineup as it provides increased bump compliance, better support, and higher levels of traction in all-mountain, freeride, and downhill disciplines. To best match the increased performance capabilities of this lower-link driven VPP, Juliana spec’d a Super Deluxe RCT shock for a super-supple feel that stays glued to the ground noticeably better and resists heating up on those rough descents that lose thousands of vertical feet.
The last major change implemented on the third-gen Roubion is the ability to clear massive 2.8-inch tires if you prefer the voluminous support of plus-sized tires. However, we’d recommend getting the 2.6-inch version that comes spec’d with what Juliana is calling the “new” plus as the internal width of the rims are greater and better support the tires. Larger 2.8-inch tires do provide more traction, there’s no question about that, however, they can be squirmy under hard cornering, feel a little draggier on the climbs, and the tires have more of a tendency to pinch flat while riding at full blast over technical terrain since they shave material to save weight. Juliana specs this Roubion with a 2.5-inch front Maxxis Minion DHF and slightly narrower 2.4-inch Maxxis Minion DHR II in the rear for an optimal blend of traction over kitty-litter and loam, cornering support, and fast-rolling speed.
Thankfully, one thing that didn’t change with the updates is the construction of Juliana’s carbon frames, which is a good thing since its legendary strength and unwavering stiffness of their renowned carbon layups is known industry-wide. This particular Roubion benefits from a Carbon CC layup, which offers excellent stiffness and strength, as well as reducing weight to the tune of about half a pound over the Carbon C frames. The frame’s impressive stiffness translates to telepathic handling when at speed over demanding terrain, as well as quick accelerations when stepping on the pedals out of corners and up steep climbs.
Of course, Juliana’s commitment to delivering an optimal fit and riding feel for female riders continues too, and it extends to a lighter shock tune that’s developed with female riders in mind, as they’re on average 30 pounds lighter. There’s an extra-small size available for even the smallest-stature females, meaning you’ll finally have a bike that’s custom tailored to your vertical disposition. Saddle and grip touch points also cater to the female anatomy so you can ride in comfort when you’re going hard and fast on the trail.
Harness aggression into flat-out speed on the mountain with the Roubion 2.1 Carbon C Mountain Bike Frame. Purposely designed for aggressive styles of all-mountain riding and professional enduro racing, the Roubion demolishes chunky rock lines and rips alpine descents with unflappable composure. 150 millimeters of VPP travel smooths out the roughest terrain without flinching, making it an unstoppable force for all-mountain and enduro disciplines where larger rock gardens, steep descents, and bigger hits pose a significant challenge. Seeing that Juliana tailors their bikes for the needs of female rippers, you’ll find the Roubion’s tuned specifically for lighter riders with its female-specific shock tune. This makes it all the more sensitive when you’re pedaling over roots and rocks standing in your way.
The second-gen Roubion is longer, slacker, and more aggressive than the predecessor, meaning it’s far more stable and confident charging at higher speeds. This aggressive geometry makes the Roubion well suited for conquering demanding alpine terrain and rocky descents where short-travel bikes would be overwhelmed. The 66-degree head tube angle provides stability when you’re opening it up at higher speeds and dropping into steep, rocky descents. The longer reach provides a roomy cockpit, so you’re never cramped or uncomfortable riding the Roubion for long distances. Furthermore, the snappy 17-inch chainstays keep it quick turning and agile around tight switchbacks and sweeping berms.
This particular version of the Roubion gets Juliana’s Carbon C frame, which provides high levels of stiffness and strength, transferring every pedal stroke into forward momentum. It’s also incredibly tough, withstanding the regular thrashings you’ll be subjecting this aggressive bike to. Internal cable routing cleans up its overall aesthetic while protecting cables from muck and trail grime. Another subtle, yet important feature is the threaded bottom bracket, which prevents the annoying creaks you’re bound to encounter with a press fit bottom bracket.
The big story with the Roubion is the VPP suspension, which gets a revised architecture of the linkages for its third iteration. The third version of VPP attaches the upper linkage to the top tube, making it all the more stiff, as well as creating greater stand-over clearance for shorter riders. The bottom linkage is neatly tucked above the bottom bracket, protecting it from damaging rock strikes. These changes in VPP extend to the suspension’s overall performance. For the third-gen VPP, you’ll find it’s more sensitive off-the-top when you’re pedaling over rocks and roots. It’s also more supportive through the mid-stroke, making it track consistently without the old version’s tendency to wallow in the mid-stroke. As always, you’ll find the VPP suspension ramps up considerably hard at end-stroke, preventing it from bottoming out harshly on bigger hits.
The long-standing approach to trendy “women’s-specific” frame design has centered around the myth that there’s a consistent difference in torso to leg proportions across genders, leaving many women with average proportions wondering why they can’t find a bike that fits. Ridley’s taking a different approach with its 2017 Liz SL Ultegra Complete Road Bike, giving it mirror geometry to its renowned Fenix SL and adjusting the touch points to better accommodate riders who have wider hip structure and narrower shoulder. Across the size range, this results in shorter stems and cranks, narrower handlebars, and wider saddles compared to similarly sized Fenix SL builds. Inheriting the Fenix SL’s jack-of-all-trades ability and kitted out with Shimano’s precise and reliable Ultegra drivetrain, this Liz SL is prepared to usher you through all manner of cobbles, chipseal, and buttery smooth tarmac the road ahead presents.
The Liz SL is built from the same 30t and 24t high-modulus carbon fiber as the Fenix SL, a move that we can’t applaud enough in an industry rife with examples of shrink, pink, and downgrade when it comes to women-specific fare. It’s a mix that delivers a rare combinations of long-mile comfort and criterium-worthy stiffness in a lightweight package that soars when the road turns skyward.
Ridley maintains the plush ride in a light, stiff as a result of a few design choices. These include narrow, flat-section seat stays that absorb power-sucking road noise while maintaining lateral stiffness. The stays feed into a vertically compliant 27.2mm seatpost, and the flat, curved top tube serves as a leaf spring of sorts that works in conjunction with the seatstays and slimmed-down seatpost. The net result is a system-wide vibration damping and compliance for a more forgiving ride across everything from rural chip seal to the jarring stones of Belgium.
The top tube and down tube utilize a unique multi-hexagonal shape, which is undoubtedly partially responsible for the Liz SL’s torsional rigidity and responsiveness. At the front, Ridley utilizes a tapered head tube that makes for increased stiffness while torqueing on the bars and exceptional handling and cornering capabilities while sweeping through descents or diving through the final turn before a finish sprint.
For an extra dose of stiffness, Ridley opts for a beefy PressFit BB86 shell. The wide bottom bracket shell anchors the oversized drive spine, solidly transferring every bit of power to the drivetrain without any watt-sucking lateral movement. While this frame isn’t billed as specifically aerodynamic, it does boast an integrated fork crown for a smooth transition between the head tube and fork that at least offers the appearance of aerodynamics. You’ll enjoy some drag-reduction benefits over frames without the integrated fork crown, and it just plain looks cleaner.
Please note that Ridley recommends a maximum rider weight of 209.5 lbs (95kg) for the Liz SL.
Named for the founder of Juliana bicycles, the Furtado 2.1 Carbon CC X01 Eagle complete mountain bike is built for long rides, exploring new places, and pushing your limits every step of the way. With responsive 27.5in wheels and a playful demeanor, there’s not much that the Furtado can’t do with style.
With five inches of VPP suspension, the Furtado has enough suspension on tap to make the most of technical trails without dulling the ability for the rider to push it to the edge. As with all VPP bikes, the Furtado’s counter-rotating links are carefully arranged to resist activation by pedaling forces, all but eliminating unwanted bobbing under power. This being the latest iteration of VPP, it’s tuned to provide more midstroke support than previous generations of the VPP platform, giving the rider a better feel for the terrain and a livelier ride feel.
Of course, the poised cornering and playful attitude that are the defining traits of the Furtado are largely due to its highly refined geometry. The 67 degree head angle remains stable at speed, while still being quick to initiate a change of direction. At 16.7 inches, the Furtado’s chainstays are shorter than any of Juliana’s other trail bikes, which further enhances its enthusiasm for cornering. At 13.1 inches, its bottom bracket is just high enough to avoid plunging your pedals into rocks at inopportune moments while remaining settled in situations that start getting hairy.
The Furtado is built using Juliana’s top tier CC carbon fiber construction. By using some of the finest, and strongest, raw materials available, Juliana is able to make its CC level frames extremely lightweight while maintaining outstanding impact resistance, exceptional stiffness, and just the right amount of finely tuned flex to cancel out trail chatter. Of course, balancing these factors requires true mastery of carbon fiber, and the design team at Juliana has proven time and again that their command of carbon fiber construction is unsurpassed in the bike industry. The result is a frame that holds up to years of hard riding, provides a comfortable ride, and does so at a very competitive weight.
This Furtado build is dressed in components that accentuate its best traits, beginning with a class leading suspension from FOX. The fork is a 36 FLOAT FIT4 Performance Elite unit, and it’s paired with the new FLOAT DPS Performance Elite air shock that’s tuned for lighter riders. This setup offers a supple stroke, on-the-fly adjustments at the flip of a lever, and easy tuning for both suspension gurus and those less experienced. SRAM’s X01 Eagle 12 speed groupset provides the gear range necessary to take on big climbs and all-day rides, while the Guide brakes keep speed in check when diving into turns. The Rockshox Reverb dropper post enables the necessary on-the-fly saddle height adjustment, while the Santa Cruz carbon fiber handlebar offers a perfectly tuned balance of stiffness and flex that simply surpasses many of the best aftermarket carbon fiber handlebars available.
A mere glimpse of the spellbinding lines, alluring paint scheme, and gravity-inspired shock configuration of the Juliana Strega Carbon CC XO1 Complete Mountain Bike conjures up daydreams of flying downhill at high rates of speed, sending intimidating freeride lines, and conquering hour-long descents in epic alpine terrain. Fittingly named from the Italian word for witch, the Strega mesmerizes fellow riders and onlookers with its drop-dead gorgeous aesthetics paired with aggressive geometry, smooth suspension feel, and exceptional Carbon CC frame.
Creating a long-travel bike without equal in the women’s market, Juliana tossed preconceived notions aside of what ladies desire in an aggressive mountain bike in designing the Strega. Packing 170 millimeters of VPP travel, the Strega is purely intended for the demanding female rider seeking a long-travel bike to keep up with their progressing skills across big hits, scary steeps, and technical alpine terrain. Ultimately, it’s the type of bike for those pouring their heart and soul into every ride, whether it’s weekend shuttle runs on downhill-dedicated trails or self-propelled adventures deep into high-alpine terrain.
The first thing you’ll notice with the Strega lies within its reconfigured VPP suspension, driven by a lower-link mounted shock that’s radically different than the likes of Roubion, Furtado, and Joplin. This shock location takes cues directly from the Santa Cruz V10, which is renowned on the professional downhill circuit for numerous victories against the fastest riders in the world. Translated to the Strega, the lower shock placement makes it feel more consistent and supple throughout its stroke, allowing it to track smoothly across steep and rugged terrain, much like a dedicated downhill bike. Another thing to note, Juliana employs a custom shock tune that’s designed for the lighter builds of female riders, meaning it’ll feel more responsive and not overly harsh like male-specific shock tunes.
Delving into its geometry, the Strega inspires downhill confidence with a 65-degree head tube angle (in its higher geometry setting) making it the slackest women’s bike on the market. A couple of years ago, this would limit the Strega to lift-accessed downhills and shuttle laps like most gravity sleds on the market. However, realizing that aggressive riders desire a long-travel bike that can actually pedal uphill, the designers at Juliana engineered it with a pedal-friendly 74.5-degree seat tube angle (high geometry setting). This means you’ll be able to power up steep climbs and conquer long swaths of trail, especially with the 500% gear range provided by its XO1 12-speed drivetrain.
Seeing that mountain bikes are best when they’re customized to your personal style, Juliana engineered the Strega with a flip-chip on the linkage that changes the bike’s geometry from its gravity-friendly 65-degree head tube angle to a strict downhill-dedicated 64.6 degrees, as well as lowering the bottom bracket and slightly elongating the wheelbase for greater composure at white-knuckle speeds. Another sweet detail, the reconfigured shock includes a special fender that blocks flinging rocks and kicked-up mud from clogging it up. Juliana didn’t stop there with the obsession to detail, giving the Strega a custom shuttle guard, so your the Carbon CC frame doesn’t get damaged from banging around on truck tailgates.
Speaking of the Carbon CC frame, the Strega Carbon CC XO1 shaves a significant deal of weight from the cheaper Carbon C frame. Juliana achieves this by using a lighter, stronger, and more expensive carbon lay-up, all without sacrificing one bit of strength or stiffness you’ve come to love from Juliana carbon frames. We don’t have any real figures on hand for the weight savings, but a typical Juliana Carbon CC frame weighs about nine ounces less than a Carbon C counterpart. And seeing it’s custom built for hard-charging ladies, low standover heights (as low as 27.7 inches for the XS frame) and size-specific droppers squeeze every ounce of performance from the bike’s aggressive geometry without compromising on fit.
Yeti’s flagship trail bike, the SB5, has long been coveted among the rip-anything crowd seeking a balanced rig that’s lithe and light on the ups, yet well-composed and confident charging descents and rallying across technical terrain. Seeing its well-balanced demeanor, it was only a matter of time before female rippers wanted in on the trail fun. That’s where the newest Yeti SB5 Beti Turq Mountain Bike Frame comes into play, fueling your riding addiction across everything from lung-busting climbs to wicked descents with uncompromising poise and lightweight agility for smaller riders.
Seeing it’s origins come from the male-specific version of the SB5, you’ll be pleased to find the SB5 Beti doesn’t rely on a “shrink it and pink it” design philosophy. To really make this bike shine for females, Yeti gave the Fox Float Factory shock a custom tune that’s more responsive for lighter riders. Another benefit to smaller riders is the leading stand-over height, which does away with awkward dismounts and unwieldy handling you’ve come to know from riding on male-specific trail bikes. Just to demonstrate how much stand-over there is, Yeti claims their XS frame can accommodate 4’11” tall riders, which is an impressive feat for the smallest of female riders.
Enjoying the feathery disposition and impressive stiffness of Turq carbon fiber construction, the SB5 Beti Turq Frame drops approximately 12.3 ounces from Yeti’s traditional carbon. This lightweight carbon frame is evident the minute you step on the gas, surging forward with rocket-like acceleration. Yeti’s engineers achieve this feat by using the highest quality carbon, which allows them to reduce the amount of material without sacrificing strength or stiffness. To protect this premium carbon, Yeti employs custom-molded down tube and chainstay protectors that fend off flinging rocks and chunky trail debris.
Not only is the SB5 Beti Turq impressively lightweight, but it’s packing 5 inches of Yeti’s famed Switch Infinity Suspension for a highly efficient pedaling platform with distinctive anti-squat characteristics and a surprisingly planted feel on the descent. Yeti achieves this balance through a patented translating pivot that switches its direction as the bike progresses deeper through its travel, hence its Switch Infinity namesake. And though it may seemed outgunned on paper with “only” five inches of travel, Switch Infinity makes the SB5 Beti far more capable than meets the eye, especially across stretches of trail where playfulness and pedaling efficiency take precedence over brute force and downhill destruction.
We’d be amiss to totally focus on the SB5 Beti’s feathery Turq carbon fiber and exceptional Switch Infinity Suspension without mentioning its subtle design tweaks for 2017. The geometry is slightly slacker than before, with the head tube angle measuring 66.5 degrees for greater confidence and composure on the descent. To compensate for its slightly slacker head tube angle, the designers at Yeti made the seat tube angle a touch steeper at 73.7 degrees (size small) for efficient power placement when you’re cranking uphill. Ultimately, this means you’ll reap the benefits of a well-composed trail bike that climbs and descends better without giving up its zippy feel the minute you step on the gas.
Just one glance at the intriguing lines, flashy paint scheme, and gravity-inspired shock configuration of the Juliana Strega Carbon CC Mountain Bike Frame is all that’s required to evoke thoughts of scintillating downhill laps and epic rides over formidable alpine terrain. Fittingly named after the Italian word for witch, we’d be lying if we didn’t admit our spellbinding desire to the Strega’s gorgeous aesthetics paired with a mix of aggressive geometry, smooth suspension, and top-flight Carbon CC frame.
Juliana set out to create a bike without equal in the world of women’s market, throwing preconceived notions aside in favor of what women desire in a mountain bike with its 170-millimeters of VPP travel. That being said, it’s purely intended for the demanding rider seeking a long-travel bike to push their ever-progressing skills over no-fall lines, rowdy rock gardens, and seriously treacherous descents. Ultimately, it’s the type of bike for those pouring every bit of passion into their riding, regardless if it’s lift-accessed downhills on the weekends or self-propelled adventures deep into the alpine wilderness.
One of the first things you’ll notice with the Strega is the reconfigured VPP suspension, driven by a lower-link mounted shock that’s radically different from the likes of Roubion, Furtado, and Joplin. This shock takes cues from the Santa Cruz V10, which is renowned for its dominance on the pro downhill circuit. Translated to the Strega, the lower shock placement makes it feel more consistent and linear throughout its stroke, tracking to steep descents and dicey lines in a smooth, supple fashion much like a downhill rig. Another important detail, Juliana employs a custom shock tune for the lighter bodies of female riders, making it more responsive when you’re pedaling and descending over rugged stretches of trail.
Looking at the Strega’s geometry, you’ll notice its 65-degree head tube angle (in high geometry setting) makes it the slackest women’s-specific bike on the market. A couple of years ago, this would limit the Strega to lift-accessed terrain and shuttle runs like most gravity bikes. However, realizing that many female riders desire a long-travel bike that actually propels itself back uphill, the designers at Juliana engineered it with a pedal-friendly 74.5-degree seat tube angle (high geometry setting). In conjunction with its longer reach, you’ll find it’s able to power up steep, punchy climbs without struggling to weight the front wheel like many of the slacker rigs in the gravity category.
Since mountain bikes are best when customized to your particular riding style, Juliana engineered it with a flip-chip on the linkage that changes its geometry from its stock 65-degree head tube angle to a downhill-dedicated 64.6 degrees, as well as lowering the bottom bracket and slightly elongating the wheelbase for greater composure on downhills. Another cool detail, the reconfigured shock includes a special fender that blocks flinging rocks and kicked-up mud. Juliana didn’t stop there with the obsession to detail, hooking up the Strega with a custom shuttle guard, so your Carbon CC frame doesn’t get damaged from banging around on truck tailgates.
Speaking of its Carbon CC frame, this version of the Strega offers a significant weight savings over the cheaper Carbon C frame—all without sacrificing the legendary strength and stiffness you’ve come to love from Juliana bikes. Although we don’t have any real figures on hand for the weight savings, a typical Juliana Carbon CC frame weighs about nine ounces lighter than its Carbon C counterpart. Juliana achieves weight savings by using a lighter and stronger carbon fiber lay-up while trimming away strategic areas to reduce weight. And seeing it’s custom designed for hard-charging ladies, low standover heights (as low as 27.7 inches for XS) make the most of the bike’s aggressive geometry without compromising fit.
Tame those tricky lines, hit bigger drops, and ride at speeds you didn’t think were possible on the Strega Carbon CC X01 Eagle Complete Mountain Bike from Juliana. Its gravity-inspired shock configuration improves small bump compliance and big hits alike letting you fly downhill at eye-watering speeds, send it on those big bike park lines, as well as pedaling up into the high country for those memorable descents that you’ll continuously daydream about. Strega is the Italian word for witch, and with its aggressive geometry, super plush suspension, and phenomenal Carbon CC frame, you’ll be spellbound with the progression of your riding.
The Strega shares its DNA with the Santa Cruz Nomad and as such, it’s a longer travel bike that has few peers in the women’s market. Juliana knows there are plenty of aggressive riding ladies that desire a hard-hitting mountain bike and that’s exactly what it delivers. It sports 170 millimeters of bump gobbling VPP travel, providing the discerning female rider with the proper tools to up their skills and speed in the park, on enduro stages, and epic days on technical terrain. You’ll quickly appreciate that your equipment won’t be holding you back on those lift access rides, repeated shuttle runs, or self-propelled adventures deep into high-alpine terrain.
One of the first features that catch your eye with the Strega is its reconfigured VPP suspension, driven by a lower-link mounted shock that’s radically different from the Roubion, Furtado, and Joplin. This shock location takes cues directly from the Santa Cruz V10, renowned on the professional downhill circuit for its numerous World Cup victories and ridden by the fastest athletes on earth. On the Strega, the lower shock placement makes it suppler off the top with better small bump compliance so it tracks smoothly across steep and rugged terrain, much like a dedicated downhill bike. Another thing of note is that Juliana employs a custom shock tune on the RockShox Super Deluxe RCT that’s designed for the lighter builds of female riders, allowing it to react better and not be overly harsh like shock tunes built for heavier riders.
Looking at the geometry numbers, the Strega provides aggressive trail confidence with its 65-degree head tube angle in its higher geometry setting making it one of the slackest women’s specific bikes that we know of. Just a few short years ago, that head tube angle was relegated to lift-access and shuttle lap gravity sleds that’s sole purpose was going downhill. However, more and more aggressive riders are seeking long-travel bikes that can actually pedal uphill too, and the engineers at Juliana designed it with a pedal-friendly 74.5-degree seat tube angle, again in its high geometry setting. This combines with the 500% gear range from its XO1 12-speed drivetrain to provide the means to power up steep punchy climbs as well as settling in on a fire road climb where the fun begins up top. The low-slung frame improves standover heights (as low as 27.7 inches on the XS frame) for shorter riders and allows for longer dropper post further boosting confidence on hairy double black diamond trails.
Juliana also engineered the Strega with a flip-chip at the linkage that changes the bike’s geometry from that all-mountain 65-degree head tube angle we spoke of above, to an almost downhill-dedicated 64.6 degrees, as well as lowering the bottom bracket and slightly lengthen the wheelbase for greater composure at white-knuckle speeds. We wouldn’t hesitate to enter a DH race when the machine is set up in this configuration. Another thoughtful detail that’s afforded by the reconfigured VPP setup includes a special fender that defends the shock from kicked up rocks and flying mud from the trail below. Juliana’s obsession to detail didn’t end there, and it gave the Strega a custom shuttle guard, so that beautiful Carbon CC frame and cerulean paint don’t get damaged while banging around on truck tailgate pads.
Speaking of the Carbon CC frame, the Strega Carbon CC XO1 shaves a significant deal of weight from the Carbon C frame. Juliana achieves this by using a lighter and more expensive carbon lay-up, all without sacrificing one bit of strength or stiffness you’ve come to expect from Juliana carbon frames. You can expect about a half-pound savings over the C-grade carbon, which is a significant amount of weight loss no matter what discipline of bike you’re talking about.
For many cyclists, Pinarello bikes represent the epitome of the premium race bike, often with a price tag reflecting it leaving us dreaming of the day when we can have our own. The 2018 Gan RS Easy-Fit Ultegra Complete Road Bike hopes to make that dream a reality a little sooner than later. Trading out the prestigious Dream Carbon found in the top-tier Dogma F8 for a more affordable carbon makeup, the Gan RS draws heavily on its pricier sibling’s design and technology to bring Pinarello’s renowned ride to a more attainable price point. Kitted out with Shimano’s Ultegra componentry, women’s specific cockpit, and Fulcrum Racing wheels, this build is chomping at the bit to jump off the line right out of the box.
The Gan RS presents the same eye-catching style as the Dogma F8, with its signature curves and aerodynamic detailing that make the bike just as stunning as it is fast. The main difference between the two frames is the type of carbon used to construct them. While the Dogma F8 features the best of the best Toray T1100 1K Dream Carbon with Nanoalloy Technology, the Gan RS consists of slightly more compliant T900 carbon that sacrifices a tiny bit of weight and stiffness but drops the overall cost significantly. While this carbon is slightly less rigid than the T1100 1K, it remains a high-strength, race-worthy layup designed to ride hard and fast.
As with the Dogma F8, this frame incorporates Pinarello’s trademark asymmetrical design for claimed improvements in power transfer and comfort. The asymmetry in the Gan RS’ seatstays is less extreme than in the Dogma F8, resulting in a slightly more compliant and comfortable ride while still providing benefits in responsiveness to keep you feeling powerful on your rides. At the top junction of the stays, a wishbone shape provides clean lines and aerodynamic protection to keep the rear brake out of the wind.
Pinarello also incorporates the Flatback technology found in the Dogma F8 into the Gan RS, with its oval-front and flattened-back tubing throughout the frame and fork creating an aerodynamic profile that slices cleanly through the wind without interfering with ride quality or adding additional weight. As an added touch, an integrated seat clamp and aero seat post add to the wind-cutting advantage and sleek appearance.
The Gan RS comes complete with carefully internal cable routing compatible with the mechanical groupset here and electronic shifting systems, if you choose so down the road, for an added dose of aerodynamics and crisp, clean lines for any setup. It’s finished with a threaded Italian bottom bracket, a trend that we’re happy to see resurfacing across the industry. The CNC threads provide a more consistent, solid platform for installation to do away with PressFit models’ creak and longevity issues.
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