EB16: NeilPryde Nazaré SL drops weight to cheat the wind, plus more affordable Bura all arounder – Updated

For the new year NeilPryde adds a new lighter SL version to the aero road Nazaré family. At the same time both bikes get improved compliance and new integrated Aeroblade cockpits to slip effortlessly through the air across range of wind angles. Their Bura road race bikes also get a similar two-tiered update. Here the SL version was already available, so now a standard Bura brings the cost of entry down with a slightly heavier, but equally stiff carbon layup. Their endurance road Zephyr also gets a few 2017 updates with a new look and tweaked specs. The new 2017 range is also making its return to the US, being offered exclusively through CompetitiveCyclist.com. Check out the full details after the jump…

Nazaré SL & Nazaré

The Nazaré family gets a simplified update, with the previous versions being phased out for 2017. Now the third generation bikes are offered in two variants – the new Nazaré SL with it lighter C6.9 carbon, and the standard Nazaré which carries over with a C6.7 carbon layup.The new Nazaré SL uses NeilPryde’s highest modulus carbon fiber in the C6.9 layup that results in one of the lightest aero road frames on the market at a claimed 940g bare weight for a Large size frame.

Both versions of the new Nazaré now get even faster, with slightly tweaked versions of NeilPryde’s OTP aerodynamic tube profiles that were said to be faster at more narrow wind angles. That led to a new hourglass headtube shape, a narrower downtube, updated seattube, and a more integrated fork/downtube design.

To improve usability, both new Nazaré frames move back to a conventionally mounted seatstay rear brake, together with the more aero Shimano direct mount brakes. They also go with a new internal cable routing in the downtube that is easier to set up, and doesn’t affect the airflow around the new, more-integrated cockpit. The bikes also use a new reversible seatpost that provides for more offset options and still gets a cleanly integrated seatpost clamp.

To speed the bikes up, they also get spec’ed with a new integrated bar and stem called the Aeroblade, optimized for both aerodynamics and ergonomics with a much reduced frontal area. The new headtube steps up a bit to smoothly meet the slippery stem shape, and also includes aero spacers to dial in the proper fit.

Bura & Bura SL

The Bura family gets a similar update for 2017, but this time the new offering is the more affordable C6.7 carbon Bura. Like the aero bike though, this all-round race bike family gets updates at both carbon levels as well.

Both bikes tweak the shapes of the small ribbed ‘gussets’ behind the headtube, at the seat cluster, and dropouts that build in more frame stiffness.

Both Buras are also said to get slightly updated rear triangle shaping for improved power transfer and get a new dramatically asymmetric downtube shape. They also carry over the integrated seatpost clamp design and 27.2mm post.

Both versions of use the same frame and fork shaping and geometry (same molds) and are said to offer the same levels of performance with similar lateral stiffness and compliance at the saddle. The new C6.7 Bura is said to build in a bit more durability through the use of the lower mod carbon, but still tips the scale at just 950g for a Large frame, just 200g over the SL version. But like the aero family, the C6.7 Bura drops $800 off of its frameset price. The top Dura-Ace 9100 Bura Sl retails for $5400, while the frameset will cost $2800. The more affordable Bura tops out with Ultegra at $2800, with its frameset selling for $2000.

Bura AL

An alloy version of the race bike is also slated to make its debut in 2017, but information on when and its details remains limited. The Bura AL will share the same race geometry of its carbon bretheren, making it the most affordable road race bike in NeilPryde’s catalog.

The Bura SL does look to share the same full carbon tapered fork as the rest of the Bura family, but sticks with less dramatically shaped tubing and a standard seatpost clamp. It does mix in internal routing in the main triangle, with external routing on the chainstay.

Zephyr

The endurance racing Zephyr gets a new look that emphasizes the curved seatstays and the flex and compliance built into the rear end of the bike. The bike keeps the same shorter reach, taller stack, longer wheelbase geometry that makes it work well for lon riding, but similar angles to the Nazaré & Bura for a quick feel. Spec wise, the updated Zephyr gets new crank lengths to better match with each frame size and longer seatposts on the bigger frames to suit a wider range of fits. A 105 complete Zephyr sells for $2100.

NeilPrydeBikes.com