It was back in January during a training camp in Majorca that I first heard about Onix Bikes and the possibility of being a sponsored rider testing the bikes out for this year in Belgium. A new bike company which was looking to get some exposure and some feedback about the bikes and a rider in myself who was looking for equipment for the 2011 season. Throw in the fact that I would be spending my season in the heartland that is Belgium and it seemed the perfect scenario for everyone. In these next two blog posts I will be giving my initial thoughts on both my Onix Azzuro and Onix Aurious bikes that I will be testing out fully in 2011.
The Onix Azzuro is billed as the top of the range Onix Frameset, designed for out and out performance. My first reaction was to check out the geometries and it really did not take long to decide what I would be going for with the Azzuro...a 54cm was what was required. Getting the right geometry comes above all else and without a customized frame it means a bit of compromise. But with the Azzuro there wasnt too much compromise required and I knew with the right set up I would be sitting pretty rosy on this bike.
So my Azzuro arrived and I went out for a test ride. First reaction....this is one stiff bike! A bike designed for the racing cyclist indeed. Without being an expert in carbon, I am informed it is a particular form of carbon (Toray T1000) that is used in the Azzuro that creates such stiffness. A stiffness you would expect to pay a higher price for, but yet with the Onix Azzuro you dont need to pay that higher price. Other key features of the Azzuro adding to this stiffness are the distinctive unsymmetrical chainstay and a thicker bottom bracket area, all adding to a very responsive bike.
Having said all of this you may think handling and cornering may be compromised....but its not the case. You can feel right at home and in control with the Azzuro, which is extremely important and even more so here in Belgium. With the Azzzuro as my 'race bike' I am yet to have given it a real test over the pave, however the time will come soon enough for this. However if the Onix Aurious is anything to go by (aka my second bike which has seen its fair share of cobbles already) then there will be no problems there either.
The components deliver the expected performance. From the light and classy looking Onix UL1 seat post and BC1 bottle cages to the Superleggera XL50 wheelset with Vittoria Corsa Evo CX Tubs. The contact points are made up of the ever reliable Fizik Arione, Speedplay Zeros and Deda components at the front end. Saris and Cycleops take care of my data recording, something I wouldnt be without. The groupset is Campagnolo Centaur, which has been working smoothly from the off and a final addition you will notice are the Rotor Aero Q rings. Something I was eager to try out this year and they are not disappointing in there performance....something I have noticed especially at the higher cadences I am now pedaling at.
Below is the full spec of my Onix Azzuro Race Bike. Check out www.onixbikes.co.uk to create your own! Watch out for more updates as the season progresses!
Frameset: Onix Azzuro (54)
Groupset: Campagnolo Centaur 10
Shimano Ult Cranks equipped with Rotor Aero Q Rings (53/39)
Pedals: Speedplay Zero
Saddle: Fizik Arione
Seat Post: Onix UL1 Ultralight Carbon
Bottle Cages: Onix BC1 Carbon
Bars: Deda Newton Shallow
Stem: Deda Zero 100 (130mm)
Computer: Cycleops Cervo 2.4
Wheelset: Superleggera XL50 with Vittoria Corsa Evo CX Tubs
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