2021 Race Bike - Cipollini Bond 2

For 2021 and into the future I will be racing on a Cipollini Bond 2 frameset. From first impressions it's an incredibly responsive to accelerations. As I ride it some more I will provide a more in depth review but for now here are some pics in the sunset Bike. 

The Build
Frameset: Cipollini Bond 2 custom bluer with gold lettering
Handlebar: Prime Primavera Carbon 38cm width
Saddle: ISM PN 3.0
Groupset: Shimano Ultegra Di2
Drivetrain: FSA SLK-force light SRM power meter with 53/39 front chainrings/Shimano Dura Ace 11sp chain waxed with Molten Speed wax/ 11-28t cassette
Wheelset: Just Riding Along Mahi Mahi Carbon.  30mm front 45mm rear
Tyres: Hutchinson Fusion Galactik Storm 11 tubeless
Pedals: Shimano Dura Ace

Components Rationale
Back in 2020 I went for a bike fit with crimson performance in the Rapha shop in Manchester.  We spent a few hours testing and dialed in my position.  One key change was the handlebars.  I used to ride 42mm bars but we discovered with my narrow shoulders it left me with flared wrists.  To mitigate this I dropped down to 38cm and never looked back.  The prime primavera bars are supposed to be aerodynamic so let's hope there is a gain there.

I ride 53/39 front chain rings on this bike.  They are great for racing and sending it but can be a bit large for casual riding especially around the hills near me.  I ride a compact in winter when I'm not as fit.

I've used molten speedwax for the last year or so and it's been a game changer.  Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's more efficient and increases the longevity of my components but by far the biggest benefit to me is cleanliness.  Now my bike is so easy to clean and I no longer have problems with getting oil on my clothes/walls/car etc.  Of course it takes time to maintain and wax but I've got it down to a fine art and for me I'm glad I made the shift.

You may wonder why I use an ISM saddle with the peculiar shape.  Not that I ever had major problems but riding more than 500 hours a year can start to wear on your groin.  My hips sit nicely over the wide forks and now I very rarely get any soreness.  It's slightly heavier than a standard saddle but I I think the comfort makes up for that.

The wheelset is from a Yorkshire based company called Just Riding Along.  They are a lightweight responsive set of wheel I've not ridden them an awful lot, as I would like to save them for racing, but I have had problems with stiffness, spokes and buckling of the rear wheel.  The front has been flawless it's comparatively light (took me to 7th place at the national hill climb) and has a good braking surface but the rear has caused me several issues and trips to the local bike shop.

The final kit of choice is the Hutchinson tyres.  Tubeless has been fantasitic for me, I think I've only ever had 2 tubeless issues in over 10000 km of riding and they were both easily remedied.  The Galactik Storm tyres according to www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/ are on the top end of  performance and from experience they are quick.  They just feel fast.  Combined with literally never having a puncture with them I cannot complain.  I haven't ridden them an awful lot in the rain but I haven't had any problems with them in when it's been wet.