Blue Competition Cycles, continuing its role as a leading designer of aero road bike frames, has refined one of its most heralded bikes with the launch of the all-new 2012 AC1 SL and AC1 frames.
For the past four years, Blue has recognised fully that aero frames are not just for time trials or triathlons, they’re for elite competition cyclists as well as everyday riders who crave speed and a sleek design. In developing a lighter, stiffer and more aerodynamic frame for its top-of the-line AC1 SL road model, Blue claims to have coaxed an additional 3% of speed into the design, creating a bike that has been ‘proven in wind tunnel testing to be 21% faster than a typical round tube road frame.’
To reduce the weight of the 2012 AC1 SL to 1,040 grams from 1,150g, Blue has employed a new layout process of 30 ton and 40 ton carbon, creating the ‘lightest aero road bike on the market.’
The reduced weight hasn’t compromised the frame’s stiffness, which has instead been strengthened through an increased taper in the head tube, steerer tube; and a down tube that has been extended from 4cm to 5cm. The frame’s strength was also bolstered with additional carbon being added to the junction of the seat tube and top tube.
Blue’s DropDown tube technology on the down tube also brings the frame closer to the front wheel, further improving aerodynamics. When you put the three factors together, Blue has arrived at a lighter, stiffer and faster frame, ‘achieving the elusive trifecta of bike design.’
Meanwhile, the 2012 AC1 model wasn’t ignored. The same design enhancements were employed to reduce its weight to 1,190g from 1,300 grams.
With improved handling, improved aerodynamics and an improved stiffness to weight ratio, Blue’s new AC1 SL and AC1 bikes aim to ‘put you at the front, and enable you to stay there, in style.’
