Professional racing bikes are all about efficiency, yet they have to weigh at least 15 pounds for durability. But what if engineers focused on technology and comfort — premium bearings, crankset, wheels —
instead of weight? We tasked the bike builders at Independent
Fabrication to assemble the ultimate ride. Total heft: 15.6 pounds.
Total cost: $14,000.
1. Independent Fabrication built a version of its
XS, which combines titanium lugs and carbon-fiber tubes for a ride that perfectly balances the strength of titanium with the comfort of carbon.
www.ifbikes.com
2. The perfect wheel is light, aero dynamic, and strong. Mavic's Cosmic Carbone Ultimates weigh just 2.6 pounds a pair, but their carbon construction is tough enough to be ridden daily. www.mavic.com
3. Pro racers don't use speed or heart rate to measure their effort; they track how many watts they produce. SRM built strain gauges into its crank spider to measure how hard you're working.
www.srm.de
4. Super-smooth ceramic bearings from Full Speed
Ahead offer far lower resistance than standard steel ones, so your effort translates into motion rather than fighting friction. www.fullspeedahead.com
— Mark McClusky
