CYCLING PLUS SAID THE SUPER ACCIAIO IS "AS RACE-TUNED AS ANY CARBON FRAME BUT WITH A SMOOTHER, QUIETER RIDE FEEL" – SUMMER 2012.
THAT WAS THEN. 2014 WELCOMES A NEW SUPER ACCIAIO.
1. Racing steel goes lighter - 150g lighter!
An improved tubing profile reduces the volume of the top tube without any loss of stiffness or ride performance. The custom rolled top tube is neither round nor ovalised. Developed with tubing maker Columbus, the tube has a number of flat surfaces, giving it a decagon rather than circular profile. The edge of the flat surfaces creates stiffness in the tube whilst enabling weight to be reduced. The 22mm chainstays are custom drawn 3 times, down to 17mm at the dropout—something normally reserved for mountain bikes. The oversized chainstays create increased stiffness and strength at the dropout compared to traditional stays.
2. Machined single piece bottom bracket
The Super Acciaio has always featured an oversized bottom bracket—a technology that is common on carbon bikes because it enhances the power transfer to the rear wheel. The new Super Acciaio features a press-fit bottom bracket shell machined from a single piece of billet, removing the need for a sleeve to be welded inside the shell.
The Super Acciaio is the only production steel frameset available for retail that features an oversized bottom bracket.
3. Lighter fork
The Super Acciaio's front end was designed around the Columbus full carbon monocoque Grammy Slim fork. The fork is 50g lighter than the previous model and is designed to work in sync with the tapered steel head tube.
Tapering the head tube provides a wider base on which to turn and provides more control under tight cornering.
4. Curved rear chainstay
Tested extensively by Rapha Condor JLT riders during the Tour Series Nationwide races, the curved chainstay provides enhanced chain clearance, minimising chain slap onto the frame. Chain slap occurs frequently in criterium races as riders repeatidly sprint out of corners over a mixture of surfaces.