Looking for a top-value bike that blends usability with tri-specific features? Rob Jarman tests two TT steeds that aim to do just that… 5

VO2 Victory TT 105 vs Kona TT 2010

Test Centre Tri Bikes

February 2010 www.220triathlon.com 103

VO2’s history of successful tri training has helped them create a superb tri-specific bike

VO2’s overt branding shows a young, hungry company intent on spreading their name

Adjustable rear dropouts is just one of the TT 105’s attractive extra features

104 www.220triathlon.com February 2010

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VO2 Victory TT 105 £1,750.00THE SPECFrame VO2 Victory TT carbon

Fork VO2 Victory TT carbon

Groupset Shimano 105 with Dura Ace shifters; Vision aero levers

Wheels Shimano RS10; Continental Ultra Sports tyres

Cockpit Vision semi-integrated carbon Trimax bars; Vision alloy stem

Seating Vision Tri Gel Elite TT saddle; VO2 carbon aero seatpost

Weight 8.55kg (18.85lbs)without pedals

Sizes 49, 52, 55cm

Contact VO2 Cycling07834 286897 www.vo2cycling.co.uk

VERDICTHandling ....................... 9Spec ............................... 8Value .............................. 9Comfort ......................... 9

Rating 9

V O2 Cycling is a brand new company set up by Jimmy George, the man behind VO2

Maximum triathlon coaching (their tri-team won triathlon club of the year at last year’s 220 Triathlon awards). It’s a background that gives VO2 an excellent start in the world of cycle manufacturing, but can the intimate knowledge of triathletes’ demands be translated successfully into a high-performance, tri-speci�c machine?

The buildOur �rst look at the VO2 Victory TT frameset came last summer, but now we’ve �nally got our hands on a production version of their �rst o�ering. And, straight out of the box, what a great-looking bike it is.

The impressively shaped carbon monocoque frame has a glossy black paint job, with a green and white �ash giving the Victory TT the kind of looks normally found on a Dodge Viper. VO2 is certainly intent on getting their name out there, and anyone you ride past is going to know it: the Victory TT frame is emblazoned with six large white logos, with another two on the forks. Not the

subtlest branding we’ve ever seen but it’ll certainly get them recognised.

VO2 has gone to serious lengths to get the aerodynamic performance and look of the Victory TT frame up to scratch. It probably wouldn’t look out of place at the famous Pininfarina aerodynamic research centre with a prancing horse stuck on its head tube.

The frame also comes with smart additions you wouldn’t expect in this price bracket, like the horizontal adjustable rear dropouts and a replaceable rear mech hanger.

The rideIt’s out on the road where the Victory really shows what tri knowledge can achieve in bike design. Far too often manufacturers resort to replacing the seat tube and down tube on their road bikes with aero-shaped alternatives and call it a tri bike. The Victory has been designed for tri from the ground up.

When you need to get your head down and grit your teeth, the Victory holds you in a stable and comfortable aero position. Power transmission is

excellent due to the sti� monocoque construction and the large section around the bottom-bracket shell. But it’s not just the frame where VO2 has focused on tri-speci�c performance. You get a lightweight and sti� set of Shimano RS10 wheels and Shimano 105 groupset, so you can be con�dent you’re getting market-leading performance in a value package.

VO2 has gone for the renowned Vision tri-speci�c steering set-up with semi-integrated carbon aerobars and a solid Vision alloy stem. Vision also supplies the Victory with its aero levers, which can feel like the blade of a carving knife if you like to grab a handful of your brakes from time-to-time.

The frame/fork/seatpost set retails at £1,000 so to get this build for an extra £750 shows that VO2 is focused on providing excellent value, too. The 105-equipped model is great for making your �rst move into the world of tri/TT bikes. This is one helluva debut for VO2.

“It’s out on the road where the Victory really shows what tri knowledge can achieve in bike design. It’s been designed for tri from the ground up”

The Vision tri-specific steering set-up is fine but the braking system reveals a rare minus

Mavic’s Aksium wheels might not be light but they’re strong and good value-for-money

Get ready to go faster with the Kona TT, a power ride that suffers slightly from stiffness

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veRdiCTHandling .......................9Spec ...............................8Value ..............................8Comfort ......................... 7

Rating 8

Kona TT 2010 £1,495.00The SpeCFrame Kona Race Light 7005 aluminium butted

Forks Dedacciai Fin carbon

Groupset Shimano 105; FSA Gossamer crankset

Wheels Mavic Aksium

Cockpit Vision Team bars; Vision alloy stem

Seating Kona Tri saddle; Caribou Aero seatpost

Weight 8.82kg (19.44lbs)without pedals

Sizes 46, 49, 51cm

Contact Paligap www.paligapltd.co.uk

Kona started life as a mountain-bike company in 1988 but is relatively new to the road-bike

scene. Last year we tested the women’s Kona Lisa, and given this background it’ll be interesting to see if Kona has managed a decent stab at a chap’s tri-specific model.

The buildThe Kona TT rolls on a pair of Mavic’s tried-and-trusted Aksium wheels. These are a fantastic addition to the TT and, although not the lightest wheelset out there, are strong and the hubs are well-sealed. Shimano provides the shifting with their 105 combined with an FSA Gossamer crankset. Like the wheelset, it’s a value-for-money, dependable build kit.

Kona has mirrored VO2 in using a Vision tri-specific steering set-up, but has gone for a separate alloy base bar and clip-on alloy aero extension system coupled to a Vision alloy stem. The only disappointment is the braking system. The FSA Gossamer callipers are in need of stiffening as they tend to distort under braking, giving a spongy feel that reduces braking power.

The build is fairly standard for road bikes in this price bracket so Kona has done well to include a tri/TT-specific frame and fork for around £1,500.

The rideThere’s a very typical look to Kona’s bikes… and the TT has it in spades. The frame comes in metallic orange and black, giving the TT a charming rustic and earthy aesthetic in stark contrast to the flashy VO2 Victory.

There are no frills here. Straight 7005 aluminium-butted tubing with aero profiles ensure that not a scrap of surplus material remains to weigh down what’s a reasonably lightweight frame. The internal headset and internal cable routing are nice touches that, although fairly standard on tri/TT bikes, ensure the clean lines of the TT’s frame aren’t interrupted. It also comes with carbon aero forks that are painted to match the frame.

The Kona is certainly different from most tri bikes out there. It doesn’t pretend to be woven from angel’s hair in a wind tunnel five miles beneath the Swiss Alps, but it does exactly what

you’d expect. The oversized 7005 aluminium tubing enables a rigid construction, perfect for getting the power down. In addition, the acceleration is phenomenal, partly owing to the short back end that, by shortening the seat stays and chain stays, reduces flex and offers increased power delivery.

But all of this stiffening and efficiency has its cons. As soon as you’re rolling across anything rougher than a baby’s bottom, you notice your teeth chatter. The Kona-branded saddle does little to alleviate the hard ride and may be worth an upgrade, and suddenly the geometry of the frame feels more road-specific than tri-specific.

In a similar vein to its mountain bikes, Kona has come up with a great-looking bike with bags of character, speed and aggression. The TT is definitely a great-value option if your preference is for longer events. Just don’t forget your padded shorts!

“Kona has come up with a great-looking bike with bags of character, speed and aggression…. Just don’t forget your padded shorts!”

Test Centre Tri Bikes

February 2010106 www.220triathlon.com

The Victory TT is undeniably a great sprinter and provides top end tri-specific performance at an affordable price. It’s a simply remarkable debut for a company new to triathlon biking and we’re predicting big things to come from VO2. Watch this space.

Both of these bikes have proved that it’s possible to get a great triathlon-specific steed for around £1,500. This is a great achievement in itself as manufacturers will often sacrifice componentry in order to cover the additional cost of an aero frameset.

Although both bikes have performed exceptionally well, we have to go with the VO2 as the overall winner. The lightweight carbon monocoque frame is a great-looking piece of kit, and the quality of the components slightly overshadows the great work Kona has done with its TT.

Overall verdict“It’s a simply remarkable debut for a company new to triathlon biking and we’re predicting big things to come from VO2”