Each season, the Rapha Continental teams link up with small builders for fresh road bikes to take on the open road, paved and less than paved. One of this year’s bikes is this Columbus XCR stainless steel beauty from German builder Vandeyk.
The frame uses oversized tubing for the downtube and a 44mm headtube allowing for a tapered steerer. This gives the steel a more modern look and feel without giving up the characteristic ride qualities. Other unique touches include the house-made dropouts, extended chainstay length and increased tire clearance for a smoother ride off the beaten path…which is what the Continental teams are all about…
Each Vandeyk is unique. Check the slick cable guides under the bottom bracket shell.
The stripes on the chainstays and fork are code for “continental”. This thing’s just begging for hydraulic brakes now that they’re finally official.
Spec includes parts from SRAM, Fizik, Chris King, 3T and ENVE. Continental tires, naturally.
We’ve got a heads up on one of the new builders for the North American team for 2014, we just can’t say yet. But we saw it being built, and it’s sweeeeeet!
