When Cicli Olympia first introduced its flagship F1 carbon hardtail, it was an angular race bike with holes punched through it that multiplied over time. Now dialing back the F1 to more minimalist lines, Olympia has created a much lighter mountain bike frame, shedding 200g while also getting a more technically-capable trail-inspired geometry overhaul, and the latest in cable routing integration…
2021 Olympia F1 lightweight carbon XC hardtail
The outline of the new Olympia F1 hardtail looks quite similar to the older model, but gone are the headtube & seat cluster punctures that were said to improve stiffness. Instead, the simplified frame design was radically reshaped to shed around 20% off the previous generation, while also redesigning its ride character to climb steeper ascents and bomb down more technical terrain with improved confidence.
New lighter F1
Weight savings is the most immediate benefit of the more minimalist redesign. Olympia doesn’t elaborate a specific weight claim, saying almost 20% saved over the previous model (which claimed 1050g for a small). That’s likely to put the new F1 well below one kilogram, putting it on par with many of the lightest carbon hardtails available.
The frame itself is still made of a similar blend of Japanese hi-mod T1000, T800 & M40J Toray fibers. The monocoque frame uses industry-standard premium construction with internal latex EPS molds for precise carbon & resin placement, without excess – keeping weight down and repeatable strength & stiffness up.
2021 Technical XC Geometry
When the F1 got its last update for Olympia’s 125th anniversary, the bike already got a geometry update, moving to much longer frame reach and a slightly slacker head angle. But their XC riders wanted an even more trail-capable ride. Now the hardtail goes to the next level, slackening out two more degrees to a 68° headtube (with decreased 44mm fork rake for increased trail), steepening the seat angle the same couple of degrees to 76°, and even adding another centimeter of reach to better match the handling of their F1-X full-suspension cross-country & marathon race bike.
Tech Details
The new Olympia F1 sticks with many of the same XC standards as before, but takes on some new ones too. The frame moves to a full 1.5″ headset for use with a 1.5″ tapered steerer fork and internal routing thanks to an FSA ACR system.
But Olympia has kept mechanical shift cables external for smooth shifting and ease-of-maintenance, routing just the brakes internal through the bar (and out of the steerer for the front brake.)
The Boost-spaced rear end sticks with 430mm chainstays (and post mount brakes), but the slightly flattened seatstays are said offer some extra flex for more comfort, rerouting the shift cable to allow for a smaller cross-section and reduced reinforcement.
The new F1 has room for up to 29×2.35″ tires, uses a 30.9mm seatpost with stealth dropper routing available, gets a PF92 bottom bracket, and features a replaceable UDH at the rear derailleur. The bike is 1x specific for up to a 38T chainring, but includes a direct-mount for a bolt-on chain guide.
Olympia F1 Pricing, options & availability
The updated Olympia F1 hardtail is available in two paint jobs with black or white front triangles and orange detailing. Like previous models, several different complete builds are available across a wide budget range, starting from Pro builds with Deore 1×12 & a RockShox Judy Silver 100mm fork around 2200€, up to this EVO R1 pro build with full XTR & a Fox 32 Factory StepCast fork for around 5500€.
Reach out to your local Olympia dealer to check on individual model availability, and for wheelset, cockpit & fork custom build possibilities.
