Blue Competition Cycles has seen turbulent times of late. They changed ownership in December 2012 when they were sold to a group of investors. In the middle of 2013, the main investor, um, well, let’s just say they had to close their doors at the end of last year. Then, on January 1, 2014, the factory that had been making their bikes bought out the remaining investors and took full ownership. Daniel Stallings, Blue’s Sales Manager, says that’s put them on the best financial footing they’ve ever had and they have now moved through virtually all of the 2014 inventory. That means it’s time to bring in the 2015 inventory and really kick things off again.
The bikes coming in now are all freshly spec’d even though most models carry over with existing frames. The Triad and AC1 carbon frames are unchanged, but spec is updated. The Axino (above) used to be their premium race bike but had left the line over the past few years. For 2015, it returns as their lightest bike they’ve ever made, and it gets extensive aero shaping and plenty of attention paid to comfort. In their words, it’s a “super fast, super comfortable all day race bike.”
The frames are exactly the same for both the SL and EX and come in at just 850g. The only difference is spec, with the SL getting a full Dura-Ace mechanical group and the EX is Ultegra mechanical with FSA cranks.
Their house brand Aerus component line has had cockpit parts for years, but their factory has made wheels for quite some time, too. So, it’s only natural they’d start making their own hoops to offer lighter, better wheels on all their bikes without jacking up the prices…
Since the wheels are spec’d across the entire range, we’ll start there. The Aerus Quantum SL80, SL50, and SL35 are full carbon clincher wheels, the number equals rim depths. They have a patented braking surface that reduces heat build up, which is good since all of the carbon wheels are rim brake only. Rim width is 24.5mm. They’re laced to the new Quantum SL hubsets with four sealed-cartridge bearings in the rear and two in the front.
The Quantum AL30 and AL24 are full aluminum clincher wheels available in rim brake and disc brake versions. Rims are 22mm wide and are tubeless ready. Prices for the range are:
SL80 – $1995
SL50 / SL35 – $1925.
AL30 – $600
AL24 – $400
CXAL30 – $625
CXAL24 – $425
Back to the Axino: Kammtail shapes carry across the seat, down and head tubes. Even the seatpost uses that shape, and the sum total means a bike that’s light and stiff while also being very fast. So, climbing, sprinting, it should handle it all just fine.
Seen from another angle.
The seatstays were engineered with some vertical compliance, and they hit the seat tube a bit lower than the top tube, which they say smooths things out quite well.
The Triad AL (front) and AC1 AL are all-new alloy options that share the same frame. The multi-position seatpost and different handlebars turn that frame into either an aero road bike or a proper triathlon bike.
Take your pick for just $1,450 for a complete bike with Shimano 105 build and Aerus Quantum AL24 alloy wheels.
The AC1 SP is a new model that gets same frameset at EX but gets the AC1 AL’s build kit. Retail is just $1,995.
The AC1 is their original Aero Carbon frame, with flatter, more dramatically aero looking tube shapes and wheel recesses. It’s the bike that can easily become a weekend triathlon bike, then go right back to normal group rides by removing the aero bars (or vice versa).
To go full aero, the Triad offers a couple of options. The top of the line Triad SL gets an integrated one-piece fairing/steerer and shaped spacers to make for a slipperier front end.
The SP is more affordable with standard fork. Both use standard front brakes.
They’ve always supported military veterans and found out about the Team Red White & Blue and their trade-in program to get returning soldiers on bikes. As things progressed, they decided to make a limited edition model that gets a full Zipp wheel and cockpit component mix. They’re only making 50 of them, with proceeds from the $9,495 bike going to support their cause. One complete bike will be auctioned online starting November 15, 2014, with 100% of the proceeds going to Team RWB
Not shown, the Norcross cyclocross bike carries over unchanged but gets the new 105 11-speed group and TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes. Just the one build is offered, and it’s $1,525.
