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DARE Vetox Speed Race – Let’s go fast! Industry technology leader Composite Gear delivers a genuine masterpiece of an aero frame kit for ultimately fast and secure rides. by Jan Biedermann, 30/08/2015

Score: 9.5/10

Pros:

+ advanced carbon frame manufacturing technologies

+ innovative and award-winning aero design

+ light weight

+ super stiff

+ both rim and disc brake ready

Neutral:

o separate forks for direct mount and disc brakes o just two color options

Cons:

− no thru-axles

DARE Vetox Speed Race – Let’s go fast!

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At first sight the VSR leaves no doubt that it is a high-end race frame set. It is constructed from computer-cut class leading high strength / high modulus TORAYCA fiber (T1000/700, M35J/40J/ 46J) by the Japanese global market leader. It impresses with a remarkably light weight (frame/fork 1000/380g) and an unique expressive design predicting excellent aerodynamics and rigidity. Plus: it is both direct mount rim brakes and post/flat mount disc brakes ready, which is unique on the market. Designing one frame for both systems is particularly clever, as it leaves you the choice to change the system later on, especially as the UCI is just about to introduce disc brakes in the pro peloton. Unfortunately this design has a little downside: thru-axle wheels wont fit, although being a growing trend for disc brake equipped roadbikes nowadays. The frameset’s conceptual aero design prefers edgy over rounded forms. Down tube, head tube and seat tube get a mix of Kamm tail and air foil shapes while straight fork, top tube and seat stays are bladed. The low head tube section features a very special somewhat vertically-beveled design at the front dubbed Wind Blade – improving airflow and decreasing drag where it matters most. Cable routing is all-internal from the ergonomic VSR Aero compact drop bar via the aerodynami-cally integrated headset section all through the chain stays. Feeding in the cables just behind the stem leaves the front all clear. The rear wheel seamlessly integrates with the lower seat tube, so do the direct mount calipers at the fork’s top and at the lower chain stays close to the bottom brack-et box. The disc brake mounts are almost not noticeable due to their new flat mount standard design. There are also more subtle but still well thought-out aero features. The special seat clamp is neatly integrated into the toptube. The transition between fork and lower head tube is absolutely seam-less. A perfectly fitting cover hides the rear direct mount when set up with disc brakes. Last but not least the bottom bracket box features an tiny integrated adjustable chain catcher preventing chain drop. It is no surprise that the frameset was honored the iF product design award 2015 for its innovative, total design. The VSR is all about pure race design from the bottom up. The head tube box, the fork, the down tube, the asymmetrical bottom bracket box and the squared chain stays are all impressively mas-sive for maximum power transfer. The ultra compact rear triangle design adds to stiffness as well – while saving weight. The frame geometry is a straight forward race: a low head tube (145 mm) with a long top tube (539 mm). The dual seat clamp on top of the special VSR Aero seat post offers a wide range of seat angles (73-77°). Thus, it even allows a time trial position on the bike. As the rear wheel virtually „sits“ in the lower seat tube, chain stays can be kept short (405 mm). The result is a very short wheelbase (984 mm) for superb agile handling. Beside its impressive stiffness the VSR does not fail to deliver comfortable riding. The thin blade-shaped seat stays effectively absorb rough roads. Test records for stiffness: the headtube measures impressive 80 Nm/° while the bottom bracket box hits outstanding 130 N/mm. Front fork and rear triangle deliver a comparatively fair comfort of 385 and 425 N/mm. As an ultimate race frame set, the VSR does not compromise and comes with latest technology and design. As such, it requires, without doubt, the most technologically-advanced roadbike com-ponents: electronic gearing and disc brakes. Therefore, the test bike was equipped with Shimano's Di2 and their new roadbike specific flat mount disc brake calipers BR-RS805 paired with 160 and

DARE Vetox Speed Race – Let’s go fast!

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140mm IceTech rotors (front/rear). Total weight is 7,2 kg, which is astonishingly light considering the specs (see below). You could go way below the 7 kg mark with a different group or wheel set. Out on the roads, the VSR is pure fun to ride. In my very personal opinion, it delivers the best riding experience I have ever had on a roadbike. It is immediately responsive, superbly agile and transfers every pedal stroke efficiently to the tarmac – most clearly noticeable when accelerating or going uphill. The VSR seems to demand accelaration and speed, thereby encouraging the rider to put in that extra pedal stroke at all times. In other words: the VSR always „feels“ fast – a note-worthy psychological aspect for every rider. Several test rides were taken in the Alps near Salzburg (A) / Berchtesgaden (GER) with long and demanding uphill sections as well as technical and steep descents. Especially on the latter, the VSR shows its strength: it is ultimately fast and secure. It stays in line – even in sharpe corners or on bad road sections. It allows for quick steering corrections any time you want, even under high speed. I have never felt more secure on fast technical descents. It is as if the VSR offers that little extra confidence and makes one feel in control in any situation – thus pushing one to go further with every ride. The VSR’s riding experience in one word? Superb! Having done an outstanding job in creating such a masterpiece puts Composite Gear at the fore-front in the aero roadbike segment. The VSR is thoroughly designed down to every detail and sets a benchmark in riding experience. It promises „ultimate speed“ – and that is exactly what it is made for.

DARE Vetox Speed Race – Let’s go fast!

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Specifications

Frame Dare VSR Vetox Speed Race, size M/L (540 mm), carbon, special testbike color

Fork Dare VSR Disc, carbon

Headset Dare/FSA, 1.1/8"-1.1/4"

Stem Dare 120mm, 8°

Handlebar Dare Vetox Aero drop bar, carbon, ergonomic, internal cable routing

Bar tape Deda Elementi, night black

Brakes Shimano BR-RS805 flat mount, SM-RT99 IceTech Freeza 160/140mm (front/rear)

Front derailleur Shimano Ultegra FD-6870 Di2

Rear derailleur Shimano Ultegra RD-6870 Di2 GS

Shift/brake levers Shimano ST-R785 Di2 Disc

Cassette Shimano Ultegra CS-6800 11-32

Chain Shimano Ultegra/XT CN-HG700-11

Crank set Shimano Ultegra FC-6800 Hollowtech II 52/36 172,5 mm

Bottom bracket Shimano SM-BB72-41B Hollowtech II Pressfit 41 x 86,5 mm

Wheels Mavic Ksyrium Pro Disc

Tires Mavic Yksion Pro GripLink 25 (front) Mavic Yksion Pro PowerLink 25 (rear)

Saddle Selle San Marco SKN

Seat post Dare VSR Aero, carbon, dual clamp 73-77°

Bottle cages Dare, carbon

Weight (frame/fork) 1000/380 g

Total weight 7,2 kg

Notes on the author:

German; lives in Austria

long time marketing director in the industry

road cycling enthusiast since 20+ years

passionate about high mountain riding, esp. the Alps

familiar with all kinds of roadbikes incl. steel/aluminum/titanium/carbon frames, Shimano/Campagnolo/Sram set ups and different types of wheelsets