WINTER 2017
CONDORCYCLES.COM LONDON SINCE 1948
The
"There was always a good cake for dessert"
7 things JLT Condor learnt at the Tour of Portugal. P.2
E T T E S S CA
The Condor Range
An Icon ReďŹ ned
Find your perfect Condor.
The story behind the rebirth of the Paris Galibier. P.6
P.10
Cool for Caps
Recharge your headwear with five new options from Condor. P.11
Condor hand illustrated 'London Lavoro' continued on page 4.
7 THINGS I LEARNT AT THE
TOUR OF PORTUGAL Taking place over ten days in August, JLT Condor were given a wild card entry to the 2017 Volta a Portugal. They were dropped in at the deep end amid a European heatwave. Once known as the fourth Grand Tour, the relentless Volta a Portugal is the longest stage race in the cycling calendar outside of the big three (Tour de France, Giro and Vuelta). JLT Condor’s debut in Portugal saw riders face
oppressively hot weather, more summit finishes than this year’s Tour de France, and unrelenting competition from Portuguese teams accustomed to the race. Treated as a build up to the Tour of Britain — rather than racing to win the riders finished in bits — former U23 National Champion, Ed Laverack, and seasoned climber, Ed Bradbury, are eager to go back for more.
1. “Drink until you feel sick and then keep drinking”
2. “Portugal is a stunning place to ride a bike”
“I finished stage 2 in 42-degree heat and I suddenly had goose bumps and felt really cold. I doused myself in water, because that was a sign I was overheating. James Gullen left the race on day four with heat stroke. Everyone became acutely aware of the effect of the sun after that. We even woke up in the night just to drink more water.”
“I would definitely go back to Portugal for a training camp. It is a stunning place to ride a bike." The race went through Serra da Estrela, a National Park to the west of country. Edmund Bradbury earmarked it as a place he’d like to visit again. “There are plenty of climbs over 2000m. It's beautiful and the food is cheap. You can get a coffee for 50 cents.”
GREAT SCOT! A brief history of the pioneering brand Endura
1993
Endura is founded on a kitchen table in Edinburgh, Scotland
1994
Condor Cycles becomes among the first stores to stock Endura clothing
1995
Endura creates custom team kit for Condor’s Olympia Sport Pro Road team
PAGE 3 / CONDORCYCLES.COM
3. Training in the heat is scientifically better than training at altitude According to the University of Oregon, "training in the heat creates faster adaption and performance gains compared to training at altitude. The stresses of heat force the body to increase blood plasma and thus increase oxygen delivery to muscles." “We rode the first 7 days conservatively but they felt like some of the hardest days. Following the rest day we'd been in Portugal for 10 days and despite the final three stages of the races being the hardest we rode much better.”
4. “The Portuguese know how to handle a bike” Ed Laverack was impressed just how drilled the Portuguese team riders were. The Welshman explained it was akin to how it would be riding against Team Sky. “The Portuguese teams rode well together. They’d drop back for water in pairs and overall in this race the number of crashes was quite low.” “I felt safe at the front of the peloton, but to be up there was tough. They are so good at positioning themselves and they don’t give up space easily."
5. The hardest stages were the favourite days “I’d never encountered anything like it. On paper, stage eight and nine were the toughest. We already had 7 days of racing in our legs. Knowing it was the penultimate day I really wanted to attack the stage and see how well I could ride", reflected Ed Laverack. The 184km queen stage featured a 25km climb up to 2000m, followed by a descent. Three more shorter 10km climbs followed. Ed Laverack held his place in the main GC group over the first climbs. “I drew a lot of confidence, the GC teams would surge out of the hairpins, which meant others around me kept sprinting but I focused on keeping my pace. The surging thinned the group over the first 45 minutes on the climb. I didn’t go with them, just kept at a pace and I'd get back to the group.”
6. “There was always a good cake for dessert” Race food at hotels can get pretty boring. “Eating rice or scrambled eggs for breakfast gets pretty bland and when you’re tired and hot it's worse. Our dinner meals at race hotels were always followed by a cake. I thought they were pretty decent at desserts”, says Ed Laverack. “Mostly vanilla and egg-filled pastry, cinnamon buns and syrupy pastry. Check out fiovos de ovos and toucinho do céu, if you have a sweet tooth.”
7. “The atmosphere is amazing” Despite racing around the world, Ed Laverack pinpointed the Volta a Portugal as one of his favourites. “Even on the remote climbs in rural Portugal there were people who turned out to see us race and the atmosphere was amazing. It helped me get through the early stages when we faced cross winds in that unbearable heat.”
1998
2002
2003
junior National Series
a Condor best seller, and proves
hit with commuters
races riding for the
especially popular with cycle
Olympia Sport team
couriers
Bradley Wiggins win
Endura’s 3/4 Bibtight becomes
The Hummvee baggy short becomes a
CUSTOM RIDES
LONDON LAVORO
E
arlier in the year, head of design, Ben Spurrier, decided to embrace the task of hand illustrating two bicycle frames for the winners of the London Nocturne Fixed Gear Criterium. The annual London Nocturne takes place on the streets of the capital in the shadow of St. Pauls, and is a spectacle and festival of cycle sport.
2012
The Endura Racing team and Rapha Condor team go headto-head in British professional races like the Tour Series
Each year we undertake special commissions and projects to showcase our handmade approach. The past twelve months have seen us tackle our most ambitious designs to date. Here’s why.
“I wanted to celebrate the capital and the muddle of historic and modern architecture that we ride beneath every day.” Painting the frames proved to be a monumental task — every brush stroke was instantly permanent, meaning there was zero margin for error. The frame's tubes are round, not flat like a canvas, so he couldn’t rest his hands on the frame surface, and long brush strokes were difficult to achieve. It took a solid two weeks of non-stop illustration to complete the frames, awarded to the male and female winners of the fixed gear
2013
Russell Downing rides for NetApp-Endura in the Spring Classics
races. Medieval dwellings sit at the feet of historic landmarks such as the Dragons of the Square Mile, the Tower of London — replete with ravens — and Tower Bridge. Modernist favourites, such as Trellick Tower, the Barbican Centre and ‘The Gherkin’, are among the iconic London landmarks jostling for space on the frame's London skyline, as well as the 1666 Great Fire of London. Spurrier completed the frames with a set of illustrated custom Blaze front and rear lights, because after all, the Nocturne takes place under the cover of darkness.
2015
Movistar Team become the first UCI WorldTour team sponsored by Endura
PAGE 5 / CONDORCYCLES.COM
LEGGERO 150
N
ext came a bicycle for Brooks England. The 150th anniversary bicycle, constructed from carbon, drips in high shine copper. The design plays upon the theme of copper, as this was the material chosen for the rivets of the first Brooks saddles. Leggero 150 celebrates a century and a half of excellence and features a mix of gloss and matt copper paint finish, which is created using a dyed chrome paint. “The paint was applied through several processes to give the appearance that the bike has been dipped in liquid copper, resulting in a marriage of traditional copper plating techniques alongside modern day cuttingedge technology. Leaving the rear portion of the frame as exposed carbon deliberately highlights the contrast between the carbon substrate and the metallic finish”, explained Condor’s designer, Ben Spurrier. A traditional Condor head badge in copper and an etched copper panel made by British silversmith, John Campbell, completes the bike.
CONDOR CUSTOM See more at condorcycles.com/custom Want something that no one else has? Do you have a several colours in your design or want unique decals? We offer a complete custom service to bring your ideas to life. This service includes a completely custom design, painting, and even geometry or frame features.
ACCIAIO Blue on blue
ITALIA RC Army green with orange panels
2015
Alex Dowsett breaks the UCI Hour Record in an early version of the D2Z® Encapsulator Suit™ developed with aerodynamicist Steve Smart
POTENZA Latte and pearl white
2017
Endura develop Silicone Surface Topography (SST™) – strategically placed 3D chevrons on jersey sleeves for proven aero advantage
ACCIAIO Silver and midnight blue
2017
The D2Z® Encapsulator Suit™ with SST™ wins a Eurobike Gold Award
RANGE OVERVIEW Discover more online at condorcycles.com
LEGGERO Made from super-light, super-stiff, high modulus carbon fibre, the Leggero is a balance of light and fast. Featuring wind-slicing, droplet-shaped tubes and our finest nano carbon technology, the Leggero provides a responsive ride that jumps the second you drive power through the pedals.
ITALIA RC Borrowing geometry cues from the race-winning carbon Leggero and constructed from state-of-the-art 7000 series aluminium, our triple-butted frameset is stiff and superbly light. Remodelled with a tapered head tube and new smoother, lighter tubing, the Italia RC is ready to take you to the podium.
LEGGERO SL
Our super-light frame with a sensational race-tuned ride, balancing expertly selected carbon with perfect geometry for pin-sharp handling. Weighing in at just 850g, it is the perfect weapon for battles into the sky.
POTENZA
The Condor Potenza delivers lightweight performance with superior handling at exceptional value. Our state-of-the-art monocoque construction techniques and internal moulding process yields a frame of unrivalled stiffness and weight at this price point. A smart mix of competition-ready components would put the Potenza right at home in any race.
BARACCHI Hand-made carbon that oozes performance. Designed to offer comfort without sacrificing speed, making your longest ride the most enjoyable.
SUPER ACCIAIO Cutting edge technology married with traditional craftsmanship. Developed over four years with riders from our pro team and legendary steel manufacturer, Columbus, the Super Acciaio is one of a kind, featuring a tapered head tube and race geometry. Custom-drawn tubes are hand-cut and TIG welded in Italy to create a unique, no-nonsense race thoroughbred.
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HERITAGE & HERITAGE DISC
A modern bike with traditional accents, the Heritage is a robust mile-eater, featuring a classic Tange steel fork, perfect for carrying heavy loads. Using a lightweight front triangle, the Heritage boasts light and fast handling and a smooth ride.
FRATELLO
Our flagship steel frame is as popular as ever. Used as a commuter by some, fast tourer or winter trainer by others, its inherent versatility makes it ideal if you don’t have space for a
The internal mounted disc ensures pannier bags can be fitted and fully loaded without affecting the braking performance. Tackle round-the-world adventures or country-to-country sightseeing. The Heritage is designed for full-on, months-on-the-road touring without a hiccup.
stable of bikes. The responsive triple-butted steel in our latest incarnation of the award-winning Fratello is lively and exciting to ride, whatever the weather.
FRATELLO DISC Our versatile Fratello is now available with disc brakes. The carbon fork features internal routing for the brake cable to reduce snagging, maintain optimum braking, and enable easy fitting of mudguards.
Get the grip and comfort benefits of 28mm wide tyres without having to forgo full mudguards.
ACCIAIO STAINLESS
CLASSICO STAINLESS
Light, fast and responsive, the Acciaio Stainless is our signature frameset built with Columbus XCr stainless steel tubing, offering top-tier performance with the ability to be ridden all day. Available in a choice of 50 colours and custom geometry as standard. Disc brake option available.
A feisty ride with classic highlights, the Classico Stainless features sparkling rear stays, constructed from highly-polished Columbus XCr. Unlike chromed tubes, they offer a responsive ride and performance gains.
ACCIAIO
The Acciaio is built for long sojourns in the saddle and grand col mountain climbing. It has a longer wheelbase and slightly taller head tube than our frames with race geometry to reduce
rider fatigue, while the triple-butted steel smooths the road on gruelling big ride days.
ITALIA
ITALIA STEP THRU
The Italia is a lightweight commute and sportive-ready machine. The triple-butted aluminium frame and carbon fork smooths the road ahead. The Italia is, for many, the choice for their first road bike.
The Italia Step Thru is a confidence inspiring road bike. From social rides to weekly workouts and challenging centuries, the lightweight tubing is designed to absorb the Tarmac ahead, and the mudguard and rack options make it a bike ready for all conditions. This model is specifically designed for female proportions: the simple no fuss step through frame suits any outfit.
CLASSICO
Fashion and trends come and go, but at Condor we have always believed in the value of artisan craftsmanship. The Classico is constructed from Columbus SLX using traditional techniques for a timeless design. Available in road and single speed.
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LAVORO
Custom-butted, super-light aluminium tubing is aggressively shaped for performance on the boards. Welded by hand for maximum structural integrity, the Lavoro is designed to withstand the demands of track racing. A front brake can be fitted for road use.
BIVIO GRAVEL
Discover what is beyond the pines, travel paths less beaten, and explore new terrain. The Bivio Gravel mixes our tried and tested trail-shredding ‘cross bike with endurance road geometry and custom Columbus steel tubing. Designed with clearance for 40mm tyres, bolt-thru front axle and tapered carbon disc fork, the only limits are what your legs can do.
TERRA-X
PISTA
PARIS GALIBIER
TEMPO
Lightweight and agile, the Terra-X is designed to be raced. A curved scandium top tube assures maximum space within the frame for shouldering one’s bike. The conical tapered head tube guarantees the highest precision in handling.
The hand-made, fillet-brazed Paris Galibier is a beauty. The lightweight frame features the original bi-lamination design found on original Paris frames of the 1940s, married with modern triple-butted steel tubing for an exquisite ride.
Run it as a traditional fixed gear for supreme simplicity or use a freewheel for a sleek, worry-free, around town bike. Using triplebutted steel tubes and a carbon fork, the Pista is a performance frame with traditional styling.
Imagine pure functionality with an unmistakably clean design. It’s everything a fixie should be, and then everything a good road bike should be, too.
THE PARIS GALIBIER REBORN
AN ICON REFINED I
n 1947, after returning from working at shipyards during the war, Harry Rensch launched the Paris Galibier from his East London workshop. And an icon was born. Friend of Condor’s founder, Monty Young, Harry Rensch pioneered a fanciful frame construction using bronze welding, allowing him to create lugless frames, and at the head tube he wrapped a gothic styled bilamination. Its twin top tube and offset seat tube (designed to eliminate frame whip) was an instant favourite amongst riders. Monty and Harry remained close, and out of war-torn London they were some of the first to build lightweight racing cycles at the forefront of British cycle sport. At Condor, it has been a decade long mission of Monty’s son, Grant Young, to continue to make the Galibier model by hand. “I have always loved the shape and the look of the Galibier”, explains Grant. “When my father worked to re-introduce the frame in the 1980s, I saw the effort he put in, but at the time, perhaps cyclists weren’t ready for these bikes. Our Galibier represents true craftsmanship.” Over the past decade, Grant has made it his mission to make the Galibier available. “It has to be made by hand, affordable, and it needed to have the frame features exactly like the original, but also ride as well as modern steel. Sourcing the correct material was a real challenge.” The production team encountered many hurdles. Developing the correct material was a long process, including sourcing small diameter tubes for the top tube and large diameter down tube, which is made by Columbus. When building a standard bicycle frame, the builder makes a diamond frame jig, then the builder tacks the frame together before welding. Grant explains that building the Galibier with a jig is impossible. “The angle of the tubes is adjusted so dramatically for each size that the frame has to be tacked by eye, which is where craftsmen come into their own.”
"I have always loved the shape and the look of the Galibier. Sourcing the correct material was a real challenge." – Grant Young
The eye catching Paris Galibier is available in blue and white or a choice of 50 colours. www.condorcycles.com/paris
PAGE 11 / CONDORCYCLES.COM
THE GEAR
COOL FOR CAPS The cycling cap is arguably the simplest accessory in a rider’s wardrobe. Finding the right cap needn’t be difficult. Recharge your headwear with five new options from Condor this autumn.
We love a bit of polka dot, which is why we've patterned this cap with it. Across the cap is a flash of tan, a nod to Messrs Eddie Merckx and Marino Basso of the 1970s Molteni team.
Great for feline fanatics, this crazy print cap is covered front-to-back in cat characters. Team yours with a black jersey and helmet and let the print do its thing.
Say aloha to our sunshine inspiring tropical print, constructed from lightweight fabric that is designed to wick sweat.
#capsnothats Wondering where the #capsnothats hashtag came from? It’s not just a cyclist’s mantra, but a response to a growing trend for pro cyclists to discard their cycling caps in favour of team-branded baseball hats. Why? Because they offer a greater amount of visible surface area on which to daub a sponsor’s logo while on the podium. Just so you know where we stand, we are traditionalists at Condor and favour the casquette over the podium hat.
Inspired by the 1990s Condor professional team, Condor Olympia Sport, our latest cap features bold colours for your bonce.
PRO PANEL KIN
The humble sprocket is the inspiration for the print on this cotton cap. You'll find a flash of orange under the peak, too.
On the surface, wearing the simple cycling biretta appears to be a no-brainer. Our pro cycling panel explain there is more than one way to wear it on your bonce.
G OF LUFT
E TH
REVERSE CA P
A RM O F
ND FUNCT IO
N
E TH
INVERTED FL IP
JOHN HERETY JLT Condor
TOM SOUTHAM Cannondale Drapac
ED CLANCY JLT Condor
BRIAN HOLM Quickstep Team manager
“Got to be high, plenty of luft. Peak down. It’s a stylish fashion accessory.”
“Back to front, flip the peak like a Porsche 911 whale tale.”
“It should only be worn with arm warmers when the weather is cold. Peak down to keep the rain from your eyes.”
“Always on the podium, when you win. Peak up for maximum sponsor exposure.”
1
Café du Cycliste Monique Merino Jersey – £137
Combining iconic Breton striped sleeves with a blockcolour body, the Monique jersey is gloriously gallic and superbly chic. Sitting in Café du Cycliste’s ‘audax’ collection, it’s designed for long-distance riding, which means extra storage space, plus thermoregulating, odourresistant merino fabric to keep things fresh on all fronts.
MOST WANTED
3
Café du Cycliste Lou Lou Neck Warmer – £24 As we slide inexorably into the cooler months, transition kit like a highquality merino neck warmer is worth its weight in gold. This one is especially appealing, with its lightweight mix of merino and silk feeling sensational and the striped pattern looking fly. Wear as a buffer between your neck and the elements, or pull it over your head and ears when things get really chilly.
4
Condor Cycles & PEdAL ED Big Stripe Socks – £12.99 / £12.00 When it comes to socks, I think every rider should own at least ten more pairs than is strictly ‘necessary’, so rather than choosing just one design, I decided to throw in a pair of pairs for your delectation. The Condor designs are made with super-soft merino and feature coloured dots on a dark base fabric, while the PEdAL ED option features fastwicking technical material and a bold feature cuff.
2
Dots and stripes
5
There’s nothing Casquette editor, Danielle Welton, likes more than a timeless spot or stripe on her cycling kit. Here she rounds up five iconic pieces that also pack a performance punch. Head to Casquette.co.uk for more women's cycling style, news, flavours and humour.
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Kask Protone Helmet – £199 Italian brand Kask has long been associated with top-level competition and its Protone helmet is the best of the best. Most aero lids make you look like an alien or giant sperm, so it’s pleasing to see that this helmet is wind tunneltested for maximum aerodynamic performance with a design and shape that’s still super cool.