Feature Stories

"It's the sum of all the parts as one can't work without the other.
There is definitely an art to building a good wheel."

Martin Muller, Condor Wheel-build Specialist

1. The Craftsmanship
A Condor hand-built wheel is made by our wheel build specialist, Martin Muller. He puts his soul into each wheel, he knows spokes, lacing patterns and tension like the back of his hand.
"Most people underestimate the quality of the spoke; it's not just about the rim, the real strength of the wheel really is down to the skill and the knowledge of the builder. Then it's the sum of all the parts that create something you're truly proud of."

2. The Tools
Martin treats the thread of each spoke end and the nipple with linseed oil.
The oil reduces the friction as the spoke is tightened, worked, tensioned and re-tensioned without compromising the strength.
Linseed dries quicker than most oils and forms a seal. This barrier keeps out the dirt from the delicate thread, stopping it from seizing in the future. Linseed is a natural oil and chemical free, so much less harsh on Martin's hands.

3. Preparation
When built, we stress the wheel. Martin places all his weight onto the rim and pushes down. Then he rotates the wheel and repeats this again and again. The effect is similar to bedding a factory wheel in over 100 miles. The wheel is then re-tensioned. This way the wheel is kept straight and true for its lifetime without the rider needing to return to the store.

4. Tailored Calculations
The hole count, rim type and lace pattern are all factors tailored according to rider weight and riding style.
Before beginning, particular forethought, experience and nasty mathematics are needed to ensure the spokes do not cross at the valve hole and the valve hole and hub logo line up. Spoke lengths are calculated, measured and re-measured, cut and threaded by the millimetre. It's that detail that separates the master builder from the machine.

Martin Muller explains how he begins his work. "There is definitely an art to building a good wheel. Different people use different techniques to build in different ways; spoke prepping, nipple prepping, stressing the wheel, bedding in the spokes. I feel uncomfortable building wheels at home because I'm so used to my workshop set up. I have a ritual of placing my linseed oil, Phil Wood Tenacious oil, little bowl of nipples and spokes all around me. It's comparable to a chef or anyone who's involved in a process that needs the ingredients one at a time."
Martin, like many respected wheel-builders is proud of his abilities in the black art; you are unlikely ever to receive a wheel with which both of you are not pleased.

Read a full article and interview with Martin on the WashingMachinePost, click here

Win the chance to shoot and direct a short film, following the Rapha Condor Sharp Team at their training camp in Lanzarote 2012.

The Brief

Rapha and Condor are offering a young filmmaker the chance to shoot and direct the 2012 Rapha Condor Sharp team short at their training camp in February 2012. The winner will be flown to the training camp to spend a week with the team and will see their film form an integral part of the team's marketing for 2012. The final film will be displayed to large audiences across a variety of platforms, including the Rapha, Condor and team websites and throughout online media.

The Rapha Condor Sharp Team, with its distinctive style and attitude, dominated the British cycling scene in 2011 and were the UK's number 1 ranked British Continental Team. For 2012, the team has changed direction to focus on the development of U23 riders. This brings a new set of challenges, so we are looking for a young filmmaker who, with a sensitivity towards the sport, can tell the story of the young riders at the beginning of their cycling careers.

Rapha has a strong portfolio of films and we are looking for a filmmaker who can match the standards set previously, whilst bringing a fresh insight to what it means to be an under-23 rider in a Pro Continental Team. Creative and new approaches to the documentary format would be welcomed, and the winning filmmaker will work closely with Rapha and Condor to create a new and exciting film. The film we want to see made will be an honest look at the young riders, innovative in style, humorous and reflective of the experiences that they encounter as under-23 riders.

To Apply

To apply applicants should submit a 300 word idea of how you would follow the team on their training camp, including ideas for shots both on and off the bikes. To accompany this, five photographs that you feel illustrate these ideas, in both an aesthetic and narrative way.

This treatment will be used to shortlist five filmmakers who will be invited to a workshop in London in January where one person will be chosen to accompany the Rapha Condor Sharp Team on their training camp to film the short.

The winner's work will gain huge exposure in a high-profile medium that is promoted nationally. Rapha Condor Limited will retain the copyright in the global content of the final commis­sioned films but copyright of entries and any content produced by the shortlisted entrants at the workshop will remain with the filmmakers who will agree to allow Rapha and Condor to exhibit their work online and offline.

The judges' decision is final.

Entries will be judged by Ben Ingham, Basia Lewandowska, Claire Beaumont and Ultan Coyle.

Submit your entry by email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by the 17th January.

Applicants should:

Be over 18
Be available to go on the training camp from the 11th to 21st February 2012 and hold a valid passport.
(Flights to the training camp will only be provided from the UK, France or Germany. Entries from outside the European Union are welcome but all necessary visas are to be organised by the winning entrant.)
Have examples of previous film work available, viewable online (blog, YouTube, Vimeo etc).
Feel confident in pitching a treatment that meets this brief.
Able to attend a workshop in London, UK in early 2012.

Further information

Shoot information:
Film and sound equipment will be provided following consultation with the winning filmmaker.

Films to look at:
1910 challenge: http://www.rapha.cc/1910-challenge-movie
Little Switzerland: http://www.rapha.cc/rapha-rides-little-switzerland

The ambition of Rapha Condor was always beyond achieving race victories. We have a different ethic and a desire to draw more people into the sport.

Since its first season in 2006, Rapha Condor, and more recently Rapha Condor Sharp, has become an iconic fixture of the British racing scene. Through its numerous race victories and its distinctive style and attitude, the team has inspired a loyal and passionate following in the UK and overseas.

The riders for 2012 are a blend of proven race winners and raw talent. The team will also continue to take on a small contingent of international riders, until such a time that the wealth of British talent is enough that a team can be entirely made up of UK riders. In 2012, London's all-important Olympic year, the team will retain Olympic team members Andrew Tennant and Ed Clancy MBE, Gold Medallist at the Beijing Games. The team will also continue to gain experience from former National Champion Kristian House, as well as the longest serving member of the team Dean Downing. All of these riders bring a wealth of influence and experience to the team, and will play an active role in mentoring the six domestic U23 riders.

They always say build a good base in the winter,  go fast in the summer. Long and steady rides meandering through lanes, to burn those extra party season calories.
Some may need more persuasion to sit and spin in the saddle, so take a look at blogger Damien Breem's two excellent Winter riding essays for some inspiration. Perhaps our Condor Test Saddle Scheme will get you stirring from your armchair?

The saddle is a vital contact point between you and the bike. A perch that suits you and is comfortable is a necessity, there is no getting around that. A good summer of riding may have told you that you have found the perfect match but for others they need a tweak, even a good saddle will be a little frayed around the edges.
When the frosts start to appear, do you dig out a trusted winter trainer? Is it time that vital contact point had some TLC?
Condor invites you to find the saddle that will be right for your winter miles with our Test Saddle Scheme.

How it works
Choose a saddle. Place a deposit. We'll fit the saddle for you if you bring you bike into the store. Try it for two weeks. If it's right for you, we'll put a brand new saddle on the bike for you. If it's not, we'll listen to your feedback and invite you to try another.

Saddles in the test fleet
Selle Italia SL XC
Selle Italia Flite Gel Flow

San Macro Regale
San Marco Zoncolan
San Marco Mantra

Specialized Toupe Comp Gel

Fizik Arione Versus
Fizik Arione K:IUM
Fizik Antares Versus
Fizik Antares K:IUM
Fizik Vesta Womens

Past Present Future is a celebration of cycling, bicycle design and Condor. Condor partnered with the makers of The Ride Journal for the project, which features a mix of portraits, studio and lifestyle photography by a range of contributors.

The book talks of how, in the early nineties, Condor were the first to make sturdy steel single speeds, not for the track but for London's couriers, swapping an aggressive track geometry for a more relaxed position and bullet-proof build.

John Herety discusses British racing and the inception of the Rapha Condor Sharp team, and why the roots of Condor are within British racing. Former Condor rider and Tour de France veteran, Colin Lewis, shares anecdotes about racing abroad, while production director, Neil Manning, writes a poignant essay about the material steel, and why after all the years, and the popularity of carbon, steel has always remained within the range.

Stockists

Condor Cycles
49-53 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8PP - 020 7269 6820

County Cycles - www.county-cycles.co.uk
53 Llandeilo Road, Llanelli, Wales, SA14 6RD - 01269 845656

Design Museum - www.designmuseum.org
28 Shad Thames, London, SE1 2YD - 020 7940 8754

Foyles - www.foyles.co.uk
Stores in and around London and Bristol

GMBH - www.gmbhshop.com
11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow, G1 3NU - 0141 276 5360

Magma - www.magmabooks.com
Covent Garden, Clerkenwell, Manchester - 020 7242 9503

Fingerprint Distribution - fingerprintdistribution.blogspot.com

Look Mum No Hands - www.lookmumnohands.com
49 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HX - 020 7253 1025

Ronde - www.rondebike.com
66-68 Hamilton Place, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3 5AZ - 0131 260 9888

Rapha - www.rapha.cc
020 7485 5000

Past Present Future goes behind the scenes through interviews, essays and photo stories with close friends, riders and famous names that have ridden the bikes over Condor's sixty-five year history.

"As London riders, we always knew Condor. We have both spent way too much time hanging around the store, so we were delighted to have the opportunity to work on a project with such an iconic British cycling brand. It was a pleasure to record the fascinating, heart warming and emotional tales surrounding the shop. Whether it was a national champion, a hardcore commuter or the grease-stained workshop staff, everyone's story was linked by their passion for bikes." - Andrew and Philip Diprose, The Ride Journal.

Amongst the history are the personal experiences of the staff that have shaped the brand. Sandwiched between Monty describing when Mick Jagger asked to go to the track with him, and a workshop photo story, is a a heart-warming tale from bike fitter, Angel Vila, who had his bike stolen and months later met the thief. Greg Needham, head of sales, explains how he found his way to cycling after a running injury ended his athletics career.

There is plenty of history within the files of Condor but it is the changing faces and the growth of cycling that has prompted the compilation of a book. It celebrates cycling and shares stories from cyclists, and also capturing images of jewel-like components that are essential to us all. It talks of the changing technology within cycling, from lugged frames and hand-stitched jerseys, to flocking, to using laser cutting machinery to produce bikes we see today in the Condor store.

 

 

The sun is shining and the weather is sweet; perfect for a weekend meandering through the lanes of the British Isles on your bike. Or you could take a road trip to mainland Europe and explore the many cycle friendly pathways of the France, Germany and Amsterdam.

At Condor we've got two bikes that should capture your adventurous imagination this summer.

The Fratello- our super bike. We call it super because it can do anything. Equip it for touring or a summer audax, and with mudguards for winter training or an autumn sportive. It's fast and light for commuting on, too.

"You really can walk out with something that will outlive an army of Duracell bunnies"
Awarded 9/10 by Cycling Weekly Magazine (Dec 2010)

Create your perfect Fratello using our bike builder

The Heritage- the bold big brother. Boasting the same lightweight front triangle as the Fratello but a meaty steel fork and rear stays, the Heritage is designed to go long. It has been around the world many times with our customers and doesn't want to stop. Front and rear pannier compatibility means you can carry all your worldly possessions without flinching.

"Handles beautifully and provides an incredibly comfortable yet stable ride" -- Bicycle Buyer Magazine

Condor's Heritage is a good example of a drop bar all-rounder which is more than capable of handling touring, commuting and rambling duties, all with a head-turing dash of style" -- Cycling Active Magazine

Create your perfect Heritage using our bike builder

Tricks of the trade

Cycling Weekly magazine's Simon Smythe is not adverse to the odd touring expedition, and if you need at refresh on what to take touring here's a few pointers from the man himself.

1. Pack very light clothes and if possible double up and wear clothes that are acceptable in the pub as well as on the bike. Last year my top item was the Rapha Breton sweater made of merino wool, which I wore for three days' cycling and out in the evening every night too (I don't think it smelled too bad by the end). I draw the line at wearing cycling shoes in the pub in the evenings but found some extremely lightweight Superdry pumps going cheap at TK Maxx.

2. Use SPD pedals. Racing cleats (Look, Time, SPD-SL) are hopeless for touring when you need to get off and walk around.

3. If you can fit your stuff into a saddlebag like the Carradice Nelson Longflap, rather than fitting two capacious panners, it will give you, a great excuse to buy a Brooks saddle with bag loops to hang it from, but will also force you to travel light. You don't have to fit an rack with one of these, and they also look wonderfully old school!

4. Make sure you have low enough gears - when you're carrying luggage (even if you're travelling light) you have to spin up hills rather than stomp up them. So 34x25 is a minimum if you're going anywhere with a gradient. Last year two of my companions had ‘big' rings with 45 teeth!

5. Carrying a tent spoils it. Then your bike is too heavy to be any fun at all. Stay in a chintzy B&B and get a proper night's sleep (and a full English next morning).

Angel joined Condor in the Spring of 2010. The Spaniard makes up one third of our clothing department and has enough beard for all three.

When Angel joined the Grays Inn Road store he was often seen aloft a dashing steel fixie. One day he decided to add a geared bike to his collection and chose a custom coloured Acciaio.

"Steel is what I want to ride."

"I've ridden carbon and had an aluminium bike, but I like steel. Steel is what I want to ride", explained Angel.

Choosing a high gloss midnight black finish and using the eighties decal set, Angel's new bike was put into production around mid-Autumn, and arrived from Italy just in time for Christmas.

Angel's Acciaio was finished with SRAM Force, hand built wheels with Chris King hubs, and Deda components. The frame uses custom-drawn triple-butted tubing by Dedacciai for Condor. It has a race-orientated geometry, but is not quite as aggressive in positioning as the carbon Leggero.

Random fact: Angel's blue steel fixie was stolen in the Summer of 2010. It was spotted on eBay in January, and luckily was returned to its rightful owner soon after.

"Cut for a life on the bike" is the mantra of the new Mission Workshop jacket, which was introduced this Winter. Condor is the exclusive London stockist of the new Orion jacket from the American-based bag maker.

The 4-way stretch Schoeller c_change™ fabric actively responds to varying climates. In high temperature the fabric opens, pushing excess heat out and increasing breathability. In cool temperature the fabric heats up to keep you comfortable. Sealed seams make the Orion fully waterproof.

With more pockets than you know what to do with the Orion is cut for a life on the bike, featuring an internal iPod pocket, external phone pocket, hand pockets, removable hood, and articulated sleeves for riding. The jackets are made in Canada, and we all know that Canada has some serious weather.

Available in black and olive. Click here to view the Orion Jacket.

Orion Jacket & Bosun Merino / Amsterdam from Mission Workshop on Vimeo.

On a Mission

Born out of a San Francisco workshop, Mission Workshop set out to create gear that outperforms its rivals, while maintaining a clean aesthetic appropriate for cycling, travel, and the daily routine. Mission Workshop started creating bags that can handle a lifetime of abuse, and apparel that can withstand the worst weather.

Lyle from Mission Workshop explained: "domestic manufacturing allows us to make smaller, more controlled runs of each bag, ensuring that each one is worth its lifetime warranty."

Here's our shortlist of great gift ideas. We've divided them up into three categories to suit all budgets, and we're offering free gift wrap.

• Secret Santa gifts between £5 and £20
• Winter warmers up to £100
• Blow the budget luxury items up to £500

If you can't find something suitable, please don't hesitate to contact us, we're sure we have something that will light up any face on Christmas morning.

Secret Santa Gifts - £5-£20

1. Knog Lights - £9.99

Lights get mis-placed left right and centre. Knog make handy luminous companions available in a range of colours and clip onto the bars without any messing around with brackets and screwdrivers.

2. Cyclopedia: It's All About the Bike - £16.99

A guide to miscellany of facts, figures, interesting snippets and quirky characters, plus the first ten copies at Condor are all signed by the reknowned author, William Fotheringham.

3. Rapha Performance Skincare - from £7.00

Rapha's new line of skincare is based on the herbs of Mont Ventoux and includes chamois cream, soap and embrocation. The warming embrocation is particularly ideal for those cold winter starts and for toasty toes.

4. 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs: A Road Cyclist's Guide to Britain's Hills - £8.99

A must have book for any British cyclist. Sized perfectly to fit in a cycling jersey back pocket, this book is an essential read for anyone who thinks they know their way around the hill of the British Isles.

5. Condor Multi-tool - £9.99

A tool box in your pocket, our Condor multi-tool is invaluable for home or when you're out on the bike. The 10 function tool from Condor has all the features one would need to fix common bike related issues.

Winter Warmers - £25-£100

 

1. Rapha Knitted Hat - £45.00

Best for a warm head and ears. Made from 100% soft and luxury merino wool, the hat features a knitted peak and ribbed earband. Available in grey, red or grey with contrasting stripe.

2. Buffera Tubular Wool Buff - £21.99

Best for the keeping the chill from your face and neck. Made from insulating, breathable and odour absorbing merino wool. Buff say it can be worn 12 different ways from headband, to balaclava, cap and more, but we like it best as a neckerchief. Worn to stop the chills creeping through the gaps in a jacket collar. Pull it up over the chin and nose to stop the wind licking your face on a fast descent.

3. Endura Baa Baa Merino Baselayer - £34.99

Best for keeping your core temperature happy. Merino wool is a naturally insulating fabric and has low odour properties. Wear it in the morning on a commute to work and pull it on for the journey home without a stench. We like the Endura Baa Baa because it has a high warmth to weight ratio, even when wet. Its soft and the seams are flat-locked for comfort.

4. Assos Early Winter Gloves - £70.99

Best for toasty fingers. There is nothing worse than suffering from the painful discomfort of freezing cold hands. It's the impressive wind proof fabric used on the popular Assos AirJack 851 winter jackets that earns this glove the right to sit as the star atop of the Christmas tree. 851 fabric is a 3-layer system laminated for water resistance and supremely wind proof with internal 3D air channel to ensure breathability. The gloves are low in weight and bulk making it easy to grab hold of energy bars from the back pocket or fiddly zips.

5. Rapha Winter Embrocation - £20.00

Best for warm legs. Those first few miles, a descent, waiting at a junction. It's where the cold will hit you. Embrocation contains warming agents that help heat the muscles before taking to a long ride, while the massaging action loosens muscles and stimulates circulation.

6. DeFeet Woolie Boolie Socks - £11.99

Best for warm toes. Soft merino wool insulates while Lycra in the fabrics maintains shape and holds the socks close to your feet for extra warmth. A lighter material runs along the top of the foot for breathability while a cushioned sole and heal provide added comfort. They are our favourite winter sock; we dig them out year after year.

 

Luxury Presents - up to £500

1. The Peloton (Hardback) - £50.00

The Peloton is a five-year labour of love by Berlin-based photographer Timm Kolln. Kolln travelled the length and breadth of Europe attending every major race on the calendar to photograph the entire professional peloton and capture their images just moments after crossing the line. The results, as previewed in Rouleur issue 4, are the most hauntingly insightful portraits ever seen in the cycling world. Interviews accompany each portrait, every rider giving their very own taken on life in the saddle, and the trials and tribulations of a sport in turmoil.

2. Garmin Edge 800 GPS Computer with Heart Rate and Cadence - £449.99

The ultimate touchscreen bike computer with GPS. Follow a sportive route, monitor your training, speed, calorie burn, height, and distance, navigate, and record your ride - it's all in the Edge 800. Perfect for commuting, competitive cycling, touring, mountain biking, and cyclo-cross. Link to your PC or Mac for a finely tuned analysis of your ride.

3. Assos iJ.HaBu5 Jacket - £248.99

There's a breaking point when the weather gets cold enough that thermal jerseys alone don't provide enough warmth. The Assos iJ.Habu jacket is designed to take you beyond that barrier. It wears with the weight and feel of a jersey and is ideally used over one of Assos' three different Interactive base layers to vary the total effect of its warmth. Antonmically cut, using the same wind proof material as Assos' proven winter range, but with a lot less bulk.

4. USE Exposure Joystick Front Light - £144.99

The original and the benchmark for winter riding, Exposure's joystick is small and lightweight, but packs a serious punch. Ideal for off road at dusk and dawn on a cyclo-cross or mountain bike, or dark lanes on your road bike when the lights of a town or city are just a distant glow. It has three strong light settings to create a beam out in front of the rider. Recharge is merely a few short hours.

5. Brooks Barbican Bag - £209.99

For those who want to cycle in style and want the functionality of a bag designed for cycling. At home on the shoulder of a rider but equally suited to walking around town. In 1910 John Boultbee and his son, Wilfred Mason Brooks, filed two patents related to improvements in satchels, knapsacks and the like. Both these patents guaranteed more equal distribution of the load over the straps and more stability of the bag whilst cycling. This season Brooks have recreated the bag known now as the Brooks Barbican Bag.

6. Assos T FI.Mille Bibshort - £164.99

The ultimate bibshort. The short we recommend for your longest ride, hardest sportive, and perfect day in the saddle. For years Assos bibshorts have been tried and tested and have kept our customers on their rides. Tailored for total comfort, the full ergonomic pattern and four-pattern construction guarantees optimal muscle compression with plenty of freedom of movement. Worn in the summer or under winter tights, we can safely say these are our #1 cycling short.

7. Rapha Breton Sweater - £130.00

Sophisticated cycling wear for the city. Constructed from fine merino yarn, made using a traditional process of knitting pieces together rather than stitching. The jersey is soft, insulating, breathable, and odour resistant. Featuring a three button shoulder packet with fine rib, the jersey can be worn as a mid-layer under a jacket or outer layer in milder weather.

8. Campagnolo Corkscrew - £129.99

If you can't drink your Côtes du Rhône in the Rhone Valley itself, uncorking a bottle of big red in the comfort of your kitchen with this gorgeous Campagnolo corkscrew is the next best thing. As you'd expect from any legendary Italian component maker, this is a gem of beauty and is functional, too.

9. Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive Pump - £59.99

The highly polished aluminum barrel and varnished wood handle make the Alloy Floor Drive pump look as if it belongs on display. The large wooden handle lets you get a good grip on the extended length steel piston, which snugly fits the CNC'd barrel to let you pump your tyres up to operating pressure with ease.

10. Condor Cycles Gift Voucher

Does your Gran not know her Assos from her elbow, or her Campagnolo to her Rapha? Decrease the chances of unwrapping a Rubik's Cube this Christmas when you were hoping for Roubaix tights. Suggest a Condor Cycles gift voucher, available for any value and are valid for a whole year. Simply call or pop in to the store.

Le Stagiaire

One of the first things Tao says when we meet with him over a Coke is "I love my bike." The young rider first came to cycling through his swimming club. Members used to go out on Sunday into the Essex lanes in a casual chaingang. Since then you'll find him hopping off a ferry on the way to a road race in Belgium to gain as much experience as possible.

Tao's first real taste of competition was at a grass track event run by Cycling Club Hackney. From there Tao began training with some of the guys from the cycling club, riding longer, harder and more times during the week.

"2010 was my first real season, after trying out various disciplines and racing ad hoc. I chose real good equipment and properly went for it."

"Cycling is a tough sport, because you can always get better stuff. You're always looking for better kit, always looking for that edge", explained Tao, who is a self-confessed pro-cycling nerd who, if not riding, has his head in a magazine or can be found looking up results on CyclingNews.com."

"I'd ridden a Leggero, it's an amazing bike. You can see all the background that goes into building it, all the heritage as well as all the product development. You could see the pros riding it and that is what I aspire to be. If you've got the opportunity to ride it then why not?"

Freedom of the bike

Tao explained he'd been riding his bike since he was two or three. "It is a clichéd thing, but you feel free. Riding my bike I've explored so many places. I know Essex like the back of my hand. I like pushing myself hard, otherwise I just feel bored. I like cycling, it's a really great sport."

"I love getting to go abroad on the weekend, and saying, 'I've just been to Belgium'. Whereas everyone else has just been sitting at home on their PS3."

Cycling is multifaceted with its the mix of heritage and pro culture. Most of all the young racer loves travelling to what many consider the home of criterium racing: Belgium. "I love getting to go abraod on the weekend, and saying, 'I've just been to Belgium'. Whereas everyone else has just been sitting at home on their PS3." He went on to explain that, despite the suffering, riding hard brings an enjoyable feeling: "the way it feels when you've just smashed it up a hill... you feel absolutely shattered and going to be sick... that's the best thing about it."

When it comes to aspirations, Tao has several riders in mind. Firstly, the British born, Rapha Condor Sharp rider, Kristian House. "I love his style, the way he rode at the Edinburgh Nocturne, on the hoods the whole time. He's very cool. The dude."

Overseas, Tao points to the success of Andy Schlek: "Once he gets into the groove on the longer climbs he is really strong, and also Haussler and Voigt are both really really strong and it shows you what it means to be a pro cyclist. When they are pushing themselves on the front for their team."

Tao was recently accepted onto British Cycling's Talent Team program. You can follow his progress on his blog at http://taogeogheganhart.blogspot.com/.

Don't take our word for it, hear exerpts from when we met with Tao before a race earlier in the summer.

Each frame in our new range builds upon the success of the 2010 cycling season. Click on the images below to learn more about our frames, or build a 2011 Condor bicycle using our bike builder.

Road Race and Road Sport

Our road race category is headed up by the flagship Leggero, as used by the Rapha Condor Sharp pro cycling team. For the last four years the team have ridden the Leggero to success, both domestically and internationally. It's the feedback from the team that helps form the rest of our performance road bike line up.

The road sport category takes cues from our performance road race range, but we've adjusted the geometry to make the ride and position less aggressive. The aim of our road sport bikes (Baracchi, Classico and Italia) is to make your hours in the saddle fast and fun. Road sport bikes are the perfect choice for a summer sportive.

Leggero (frame £1,999.99)
Moda (frame £1,999.99)
Acciaio (frame £699.99)
Squadra (frame £799.99)
Baracchi (frame £1,299.99)
Classico (frame £899.99)
Italia (frame £499.99)

Touring and Commute

It is difficult to find a category for some of our models, the reason being is that they are super machines; give them any task, any road, and they'll handle it. Our Fratello steel road frame is one of these models, perfect for training as well as commuting and light touring. Now how to do you classify that?

Heritage (frame £599.99)
Gran Fondo (frame £1,999.99)
Fratello (frame £599.99)

Cyclo-cross

The Condor cyclo-cross range has been re-designed from the ground up this season. We've been testing the new lighter frames since the summer. For 2011 a flattened, curved top tube and internal cabling were added. A lightweight carbon fork finishes the package and provides improved mud clearance.

Terra-X (frame £799.99)
Bivio-X (frame £599.99)

Single Speed and Fixed

Our single speed and fixed models offer supreme simplicity. Run them as a sleek, worry-free around town bike, or even a commuter. Our frames from the single speed range are constructed from a range of grades of steel. We find that a steel frame offers unrivalled comfort and, therefore, perfect for all day riding and commuting. Condor also offer a titanium single speed bike for the ultimate stylish ride.

Percorso (frame £1,999.99)
Pista (frame £549.99)
Classico Pista (£899.99)

Track

The Condor track models feature geometry ideally suited for lapping riders on the boards. Our Potenza is a simple track bike that will double as an about town ride, while the Lavoro has been designed as a pure track frame built for speed.

Lavoro (frame £499.99)
Potenza (frame £449.99)