We learn and listen to lots of late concerning the struggles the bike trade faces in the mean time, and phrases like ‘difficult headwinds’ are sometimes used to explain robust market circumstances. Whilst that could be true, and it is no secret that retailers and suppliers are nonetheless on the comeback path put up pandemic, there appears to be hope but for bike manufacturers.
Avona, is a model new model, launched immediately by two trade veteran, that appears set to supply very customisable, gravel, street, mtb and e-bike choices, in a variety of high-end specs.
Avona is the creation of Jonas Müller and Max Koch. Müller has labored at manufacturers like BMC, DT Swiss, and Santa Cruz, and labored on the BMC Granfondo and Teammachine ranges while Koch comes from a product administration background. Both males are additionally the brains behind the ARC8 bikes and Faserwerk carbon element manufacturers, although ARC8 might be higher identified in MTB circles than it’s within the street world.
Avona was on the latest Bike Connection Agency occasion in Italy, the place we have been capable of see among the new fashions, check experience one, and chat with the founders about their new model.
The Avona philosophy
Avona claims a holistic method is taken on the subject of efficiency, and the connected model press materials states it considers total efficiency is to do with extra than simply wattage-saving claims. Citing all features of motorcycle and rider as consideration, together with weight, friction, rolling resistance and bike match. This could not come as new information to loads of cyclists however it makes for encouraging studying on the very least.
Avona claims it has used experience simulations to attempt to present the most important beneficial properties for a rider the place they matter most. Two fascinating claims listed below are that we should always by no means use something however one of the best tyres and that ‘a waxed chain is value greater than an costly groupset’ (by way of effectivity financial savings). In easy phrases, there are some large beneficial properties available for all riders through the use of the fitting tyres (and pressures) and an optimised drivetrain with the fitting chain lubricant, so the model has taken this under consideration.
Avona has partnered with CeramicSpeed and each Avona bike will ship with a series pre-treated with CeramicSpeed UFO wax, good for 650km. This ought to save lots of effort and time straight off the bat and assist optimise drivetrain efficiency.
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3D CFD (computational fluid dynamics) research, digital carbon layup testing, and wind tunnel testing have additionally been carried out in addition to the creation of a tube form library to assist inform design initiatives and optimise total efficiency. As an instance, Avona claims it made a 44-watt saving at 35 km/h for the Avona gravel race bike, in contrast with its first iteration of the bike.
We imagine the bikes shall be manufactured in Taiwan and can assembled to order in Germany after which bought through European sellers. There are at present no UK or US sellers, the model recommends emailing them straight for those who dwell in a non-dealer area. Customers will be capable to specify crank, stem, chainring and handlebar measurement and or improve particular parts. Custom paint choices can be found as are framesets for {custom} spec builds.
Prices begin at €3,499 for a frameset and rise to €10,499 for a top-end street mannequin. There are loads of mannequin selections, which we take a look at under. We have targeted on the street and gravel bikes on supply, however there shall be a full-suspension MTB and e-model accessible.
Callis
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The Callis is billed as a contemporary gravel race bike and shall be accessible from April. The model says it was lately examined in competitors, being ridden to 14th place on the Transcordilleras gravel race. The body has a 50mm tyre clearance (45mm with a entrance mech) and is suitable with single or double chainsets.
The Callis shall be accessible in 5 construct choices and a frameset with or with out an built-in handlebar. The frameset has an RRP of €3,499 and has down tube storage and a UDH rear derailleur mount.
It looks like numerous construct choices will roll out within the coming months, however most will embody the carbon-integrated Faserwerk Luftschneider cockpit.
Complete builds function SRAM Rival, Force and Red XPLR builds in addition to Shimano GRX 1X and double choices. A SRAM drivetrain mullet possibility can be accessible with a 10-52 rear cassette at no further price.
Prices begin at €4,599 and rise to €9,999 for the top-end mannequin. Interestingly Avona presents the Callis with street or gravel tyres as an possibility within the type of the GP5000 35mm, or Schwalbe G One R in a 45mm measurement, or the Hutchinson Caracal Race.
Velum
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By the model’s personal admission the Velum, the model’s street bike, continues to be in improvement however is about to turn out to be accessible by autumn. The model is engaged on UCI certification.
Headlines are a 730-gram body weight for a measurement 54cm body, in addition to 35mm tyre clearances. Avona claims in depth CFD will put the body according to one of the best all-round frames in the marketplace. By all-round, we assume which means not all out aero bikes.
The photos above are of a custom-painted collaboration, although we perceive it is going to be available for purchase if it flicks your swap.
Though clearly similar to the Callis in design, this body would not have the down tube storage compartment and the underside of the fork leg profile is clearly completely different.
It’s refreshing to see non-dropped seatstays. Avona cites a sloping toping tube and compliant aero seatpost as comfort-boosting options.
A Velum frameset will retail at €3,499 while SRAM Red, and Shimano Ultegra and Dura-Ace builds may even be accessible, beginning at €6,999 and rising to €10,499.
First experience impressions
I had an hour on the Callis gravel bike and examined it on a route that took in a few 50:50 mixture of street and gravel, a few of it fairly rocky and testing.
I used to be impressed by the bike throughout my experience. The geometry feels person pleasant and I locked into the handlebars instantly. The bike has a attain quantity that is on the shorter aspect at 376mm for a measurement M, actually shorter than the Canyon Grail CF SLX I lately examined. It was snug and never tremendous low, being 6mm increased than the ever-popular Specialized Crux. I believe racers may run zero headset spacers and longer stems comfortably in the event that they needed to.
The Callis felt fleet of foot and really nimble and fast, the quick tyres and wheels little doubt helped. A max dash on the street gave me a very good feeling and I, particularly, observed the rock-solid Faserwerks handlebar. I could not detect any flex there in anyway, even when the bar tape did really feel a little bit on a budget aspect.
As a model new bike, I used to be giving the Avona the eagle eye much more than I normally would and customarily every part appeared superb, with zero points, creaks or some other issues throughout the experience. I observed the bearing topcap had rubbed among the paint off the highest of the headtube after I turned the bars on full lock however that was about it.
Overall I completed with a smile on my face and a optimistic first impression. There’s loads of doom and gloom on the market, however here is hoping Avona make a very good go of issues.