Posted: October 3, 2005

Cycling: Valdora Cycles puts PHX carbon time-trial bike in flight

bpStealth monocoque becomes boutique bike

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (September 28, 2005) – After nearly three years of research and development, famed bpStealth designer Valdora Cycles’ bold, new phoenix, the PHX, has risen. It’s a full-carbon, rear-cutout, aero-tubed triathlon and time-trial bike, and will be available in mid February or earlier.

The compact geometry, 1.2-kilogram frame (medium size), is stiff, “but not overly stiff,” says Peter Olson, Valdora Cycles president and chief designer. “We went with a semi-steep, 76-degree seat tube angle to increase the rider’s power output compared to steep, 78- to 80-degree designs, while still saving his or her legs for the run.” It also accommodates riders of various styles, allowing 73 to 78 degrees simply by using standard-sized seat posts and moving the saddle along the rails.

The PHX’s longer effective top tube, slightly taller head tube and aggressive head tube angle were carefully conceived for time-trialists and triathletes, and allow it to be easily built or converted for road racing. “We’ve learned that most riders are not flexible enough to feel absolutely great during and after long rides over short head tubes,” explains Olson. “When I walk through triathlon transition areas, I always note the five- and 10-milimeter spacers stacked on top of head tubes. Some of the frame designs out there are hopeful but not realistic.”

Other thoughtful, calculated design elements include a rear-wheel cut-out providing a three millimeter gap for 700c, 23-mm tires, and CNC’d, replaceable, horizontal, track-style drop-outs. Internally routed cables and aerodynamic head, down and seat tubes are trailed by aero, curved rear stays which also contribute to the PHX’s ride comfort. The bike’s 340-gram fork is also aero and all carbon.

If performance alone is not enough to sell a rider, the sexy, exotic, nude, woven-carbon PHX comes with a clear-coat, gloss finish to protect its phoenix art and branding. The frame, fork and FSA Orbit headset frameset’s anticipated retail price is $2,299 USD.

bpStealth improvements

bpStealth riders and athletes considering the monocoque, time-trial machine won’t see the highly recognizable, aerodynamic ride disappear with the rise of the PHX. In fact, its already stiff bottom bracket has been beefed up for 2006. As well, all of the alloy inserts are now all carbon – a feature never before seen on the consumer-ready bicycle market, making the bpStealth an even higher-end boutique bike. To that end, only 50 will be produced for 2006 and will be available only by special order.

Valdora Cycles and bpStealth are products of Olson International, Inc., a Scottsdale, Arizona-based corporation which has been involved in the cycling industry since 1996 as a designer, importer and manufacturing general contractor of bicycles, frames and accessories for domestic and international customers. In 2000, bpStealth was launched to provide high-grade bicycles and components at affordable prices. Valdora Cycles evolved from that brand in 2005 and is now the pinnacle of the Olson International, Inc. line of bicycles and components. Valdora’s AC-Tri frameset/bicycle is the precursor to the all-carbon PHX compact, triathlon-specific frameset/bicycle. For product information and investor relations, contact CustomerService@bpStealth.com.

Source SLH Communications.