Auckland, New Zealand-based bike company Avanti this week launched its 2015 line-up. Within the new range is an updated Torrent all-mountain series including a carbon version, a now almost-obligatory fat bike, a change to the Corsa DR, a new price-point carbon road bike and a versatile disc-brake equipped road range.
Road
Avanti’s two racing platforms continue for 2015 – the Corsa SL (Superlight) and the Corsa DR (Drag Reduction). Both the SL and DR are UCI approved and feature asymmetrical chainstays, massive BB86 bottom bracket junctions, tapered steering tubes and Di2/mechanical gear capability.
The Corsa DR now features a chainstay mount rear brake, the same as the Corsa SL. This small but important change further increases the DR’s wind-cheating ability without affecting its pedalling stiffness or sub-kilo frame weight, something that seems to be working well for current Australian NRS series leader Joe Cooper. Models start with the Corsa DR 1 at AU$2,499 built with Shimano 105 components.
The Avanti Corsa DR moves to a chainstay mounted rear brake
Receiving no structural changes for 2015 is the Corsa SL, which aims to offer an extreme stiffness-weight ratio without compromise to ride quality. There are now five SL models, including two new women’s specific versions. Prices start at AU$2,499 with Shimano 105 components and top out with the 6.65kg Corsa SL Team at AU$9,199, featuring Zipp 202 wheels and mechanical Shimano Dura-Ace.
We're quite partial to the gloss black with a little white pop on the 2015 Avanti Corsa SL Team
At the other end of price ranges is the new Cadent C, which aims to enhance ride quality over similarly priced alloy options with a new full carbon frame. The frame is packed with technical features, including tapered steerer tube, oversized BB86 bottom bracket, Di2 compatible internal cable routing and even asymmetrical chainstays. The Cadent C1 is the base model at AU1,499, featuring a basic 18-speed Shimano Sora drivetrain.
Disc brakes and 32mm rubber are the common theme in the Giro AR series
And right on song with trends for 2015, Avanti also has the new Giro AR (All Road) range – a disc brake equipped road bike designed for long distances and any type of surface that resembles a road (or occasional cyclocross). Models start at AU$1,399 with an alloy frame, mechanical disc brakes and 20-speed Shimano Tiagra components. The top-end AU$3,499 AR CR1 features a full carbon frame, 22-speed Shimano 105 drivetrain and matched Shimano hydraulic disc brakes.
Mountain
The Torrent – Avanti’s 27.5in enduro/all-mountain solution – receives 10mm more travel front and rear (it's now 150mm), a 5mm longer top tube and slightly slacker head angle compared with the 2014 model. The frame features a stiff four-bar suspension design, PF30 bottom bracket, ISCG05 chain guide mounts, Syntace X12 rear axle and an adjustable shock mount for geometry tuning. On top of this, there is now a ‘CS’ carbon version, which shares the same alloy rear triangle but receives a lightened front triangle.
At $2,799, the base Torrent S7.1 comes with a 34mm X-Fusion Sweep RL2 fork, RockShox Monarch RT rear shock and a mix of 30-speed Shimano Deore and SLX components. The slightly more expensive AU$3,699 Torrent S7.2 features a 35mm Marzocchi 350 CR fork, X-Fusion HILO seatpost, e*thirteen TRS crankset and chain guide, and a 20-speed blend of Shimano SLX and XT.
This Torrent S 7.2 comes with a 35mm Marzocchi 350 fork
The AU$4,499 carbon CS7.1, meanwhile, features an internal X-Fusion Hilo Strate seatpost, 32mm Fox Float CTD fork and matched rear shock, DT Swiss M1900 wheels and the same drivetrain as the S7.2. Topping the range is the 13.1kg, AU$5,499 Torrent CS7.2 – with a 34mm Fox Float CTD fork and matched rear shock, DT Swiss M1700 wheels, Easton 35mm handlebar/stem and e*thirteen TRS crankset and chainguide combo.
The Torrent CS7 is also available as a frameset, which includes the X-Fusion Hilo Strate internal seatpost, Kashima Coat Fox rear shock and headset for AU$2,999.
Unlike the aluminium range, Avanti's carbon-framed Competitor hardtail range will only be offered in a 27.5" wheel size
Avanti’s Montari and Competitor hardtail ranges have gone the way of Trek with it’s size specific wheel choice. 27.5in wheeled bikes will be offered in frame sizes between extra small to large, with 29in wheels be offered in medium through to extra large. The exception to this is the carbon race-level Competitor C models, which will now only be offered in 27.5in – go figure.
Like many brands, Avanti has said goodbye to the 26in wheel for its mountain bikes. Even the AU$449 Black Thunder 1 is now exclusively a 27.5in wheeled bike – Avanti claims that even its 13in frame size fits the bigger wheel without affecting crucial fit measurements.
And fad or not, Avanti now offers a fat bike for the masses – the Tracker. It's built with a monstrous, hydroformed aluminium frame and fork, rolling on 4in wide Vee Rubber encircling 65mm width rims. Shimano hydraulic brakes and Alivio/Deore components round out the AU$1,499 build.
What would fat tyres be without a matched fat frame?