There’s a brand new high-performance bike model on the block named Avona, created by considered one of ARC8’s co-founders, they usually launch as we speak with a race-ready Callis carbon gravel bike. Avona additionally could have a brief journey Silva path bike later this spring, and a Velum street bike within the works, too. However for now, let’s focus totally on what’s going to make this new Avona model distinctive – what they describe as a holistic method to creating full bikes.
Plus, they’ve some killer restricted artist version paint jobs.
And naturally, we’ll take an in depth have a look at that Callis…
Who’s Avona anyway?
There’s an apparent spoiler when you get a glimpse of the upcoming Avona Silva mountain bike. It’s such a singular design, long-time Bikerumor readers will instantly acknowledge it, and put two and two collectively.
So… Avona is the most recent undertaking of motorcycle design engineer Jonas Müller – who co-founded ARC8 bikes with Serafin Pazdera in Switzerland again in 2019. Whereas nonetheless freelancing for ARC8 it appears, Jonas has paired up with product supervisor Max Koch to start out one other, totally separate model the place they might design top-tier, high-performance bikes – full bikes.
Importantly, whereas ARC8 focuses totally on frames/framesets, they created Avona to construct full bikes that maximized efficiency – from the rider to the parts. There’s no level in having the quickest bike, should you don’t give it the quickest wheels, tires, and even chain remedy, proper?
That looks like a no brainer. However the overwhelming majority of manufacturing full bikes have their parts picked by product managers, whose job is most frequently to stability: a goal full bike value, perceived worth of spec’d manufacturers, and sometimes low cost offers large part corporations make to bundle collectively a number of merchandise out of their catalog.
Suppose for instance, about what number of top-end bikes get spec’d with a SRAM AXS drivetrain, Quarq energy meter, Zipp wheels, and Zipp cockpit elements. These are typically all strong, high-performing parts. However no model could make all the top-performing merchandise in all classes. That’s why you’ll see plenty of mountain bike manufacturers spec’ing SRAM drivetrains however Shimano brakes.
And that’s now the place small Avona will be much more choosy and picky about each merchandise they spec on a whole bike.
They describe it as “a holistic method to efficiency”.
What does that imply for the bike itself and the top shopper?
First off, it begins lengthy earlier than part spec, even extending to the body design, too. It means Avona takes an analytical have a look at design priorities. Gentle weight is nice, however there’s no denying aerodynamics performs an enormous function within the energy riders should put out to maneuver ahead. In order that they take a extra complete have a look at knowledge to outline efficiency. A few of their key findings are as follows:
- In case you are simply taking a look at Watts or KiloJoules over a complete experience, aerodynamics dominate
- If you wish to cut back efforts above FTP, different components turn into extra necessary
- For mountain bikes, descents are the place the gear could make the largest distinction
- We must always by no means use something however the most effective tires
- A waxed chain is price greater than an costly groupset
In order that in the end fuels their bike specs. All bikes get aerodynamic optimization, even when they aren’t particularly aero bikes. Mountain bikes prioritize succesful geometry and supple suspension over simply chasing grams. Each bike comes spec’d with the most effective tires that Avona might discover for every section.
And each bike comes with a sequence (and drivetrain) that has been cleaned of any manufacturing unit grease, and coated with CeramicSpeed UFO wax to cut back drivetrain drag and maintain it clear. Additionally they all include CeramicSpeed UFO wax lube to maintain your drivetrain operating quick!
However what in regards to the bikes?
All-new carbon Avona Callis quick gravel bike
Avona describes their Callis as a “fashionable gravel race bike”.
That interprets to responsive dealing with that’s extra all-road-leaning geometry than MTB-inspired. It additionally means loads of tire clearance, however nonetheless quickest with fast-rolling 40mm or 45mm tires. Aerodynamic tube form optimization and fork to border integration, however to not a degree that leads to additional weight or a very stiff experience.
Avona Callis – Tech particulars
- 950-1020g body weight (S-XL vary, with clearcoat), plus 463g fork (uncut steerer)
- designed for quick gravel, however powerful sufficient for journey racing, too
- CFD optimized & wind tunnel examined aerodynamics
- 1x or 2x with detachable entrance derailleur hanger
- max 46T single or gravel compact double setup (SRAM additional compact street double can even match)
- max 50mm tire clearance
- inside body storage by way of hatch below the downtube water bottle mounts
- bungee wire on the again of the hatch door for versatile, easy-access storage
- totally built-in cable routing by way of the Token headset
- proprietary aero seatpost, however…
- BSA threaded backside bracket
- UDH for Full mount or standard derailleurs
- a complete 44W claimed energy financial savings (cut back aero drag, plus decrease rolling resistance, plus decreased drivetrain friction) at 35km/h in comparison with the final gravel bike Jonas delivered to market.
Avona Callis gravel – Choices, pricing & availability
Avona specs their bikes for holistic efficiency, however they nonetheless need to present customization potentialities for his or her prospects. Beginning off, the framesets are available an ordinary Rosé:Blue fade paintjob or easy clearcoat over uncooked black UD carbon. There’s additionally a prepared to color model with out clear as a clean canvas for customized paint jobs. And Avona will frequently run tremendous restricted editions like this #savethepostalservice artist collection bike. Frameset costs begin at 3600€, together with a one-piece house-brand Faserwerk Luftschneider handlebar+stem cockpit combo.
Full gravel bikes are supplied now with SRAM Purple AXS Xplr, powermeter cranks, 50mm carbon DT Swiss GRC1100 wheels, the Faserwerk cockpit for 10,000€. Or decide a way more inexpensive Shimano GRX Di2 2x construct with Faserwerk carbon gravel wheels for simply 6000€.
Three extra full builds will probably be accessible from June. SRAM Rival AXS with inexpensive alloy DT Swiss G1800 wheels & Hutchinson Caracal Race tires for 4600€. Rival AXS plus Newmen Superior G.34 carbon wheels for 5500€. Power AXS with 50mm deep DT Swiss GRC1400 wheels for 7000€.
Persevering with the construct customization, all SRAM builds will be swapped to a mullet setup with a GX AXS Eagle derailleur and 10-52T cassette at no additional price. Bikes come normal with the Hutchinson Caracal Race semi-slick that Avona found was extremely fast-rolling on Bicycle Rolling Resistance. However you can too swap in Schwalbe G-One R or 35mm Continental GP 5000 TR street slicks should you favor.
All framesets & full bikes may also be tweaked for match with stem size, bar width, crank size & seatpost offset to swimsuit the customer.
Avona Silva light-weight carbon, short-travel path mountain bike
Coming later this summer time is a brief journey full-suspension mountain bike that appears an terrible lot just like the ARC8 Evolve FS. That’s not an enormous shock since Jonas Müller designed them each. And as he advised me, you don’t abandon an excellent suspension design simply since you begin a brand new firm.
Silva Tech particulars & pricing
This all-new Avona Silva is barely longer journey to deal with a bit extra down nation and path driving, with 105-115mm or rear wheel journey matched to 120-130mm of fork journey. Avona describe it because the “lightest full suspension body available on the market”, saving 150g over the Evolve FS of a really comparable design.
However with a slack 65° headtube angle this will probably be a light-weight bike constructed to shred.
Framesets will begin at 3500€ together with a Fox Float SL Manufacturing unit shock and the distinctive 1-piece Faserwerk Baslerstab handlebar cockpit that bolts straight to your steerer tube. Full mountain bikes will begin at 5500€ with XT and climb to 12,000€ with XX SL, powermeter, Flight Attendant builds. All get 34/35mm forks for descending capabilities and tremendous quick Wolfpack tires normal.
Avona Velum carbon street bike
Fairly much like the Avona Callis gravel bike, this Velum is supposed to be a quick all-rounder carbon street bike. Once more it will get optimized to stability aerodynamics, stiffness, weight & consolation – with out overly specializing in only one parameter.
Avona says the Velum continues to be in growth, however weights are anticipated round 730g for a uncooked carbon 54cm body. There will probably be room for as much as 35mm tires, making it fairly all-road-ready, however with fashionable road-race-worthy geometry. Some particulars embrace full inside routing, an extra-thin aero seatpost for vertical compliance, plus a threaded backside bracket.
Extra particulars are anticipated in the direction of the top of summer time, however pricing needs to be about the identical because the gravel mannequin, and street bikes will probably be accessible earlier than the top of this 12 months.