Graeme Brown on SwiftCarbon’s first aero road bike

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=320%2C416 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=480%2C624 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=640%2C832 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=380%2C494 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=570%2C741 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 425px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=430%2C559 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=645%2C838 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 768px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=590%2C767 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=693%2C900 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 992px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=272%2C353 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=408%2C530 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=544%2C707 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(min-width: 993px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=310%2C403 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=465%2C604 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=45&resize=620%2C806 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <img class="wp-image-279015 size-portrait_thumbnail image-handler__image image-handler__image--aspect no-wrap js-gallery-grid-src-image" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd.jpg?quality=90&resize=556%2C723" width="556" height="723" data-crop-width="" data-crop-height="" alt="Beneath the special paint, this pro bike hides a brand new SwiftCarbon aero road frame - the HyperVox" title="1452995939097-cyieho3j8tvu-de7f9cd" style="width: auto; height: 100%;"> Beneath the special paint, this pro bike hides a brand new SwiftCarbon aero road frame – the HyperVox David Rome / Immediate Media

Strolling the pits of the 2016 the Tour Down Under, the one bike that’s impossible to miss is Graeme ‘Brownie’ Brown’s custom-painted SwiftCarbon. The gold paint is there to commemorate the Drapac riders’ record 14 th Tour Down Under. However, beneath that trick paint is also the first sighting of Swift’s new aero road bike – the HyperVox.

Until now, SwiftCarbon has noticeably lacked an aero-road frame to serve the number of sprinters within the Pro-Continental Australian team.

The SwiftCarbon HyperVox SwiftCarbon were previously never a firm believer in creating an aero road bike just to meet its competitors. However, demand from the team forced the South African brand to change its approach.

Speaking with SwiftCarbon’s marketing manager Neil Gardiner about the HyperVox – “we wanted to build a bike without the typical compromises of an aero bike. The brakes had to work, and our signature ride quality had to be there”.

The boss himself, Mark Blewett rode three versions of carbon prototypes of this bike, and according to Strava, he personally has over 500 hours on the frame. We’re told Graeme Browne first started testing the frame in June 2015.

“We wanted to make it affordable; we could see these ultra-premium aero bikes and didn’t want to be there. However, we went with a new vendor (manufacturer) who hold serious expertise, but such knowledge comes at a price”.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939109-xy4ud9klijjm-1000-90-01914c0.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939109-xy4ud9klijjm-1000-90-01914c0.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939109-xy4ud9klijjm-1000-90-01914c0.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939109-xy4ud9klijjm-1000-90-01914c0.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939109-xy4ud9klijjm-1000-90-01914c0.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939109-xy4ud9klijjm-1000-90-01914c0.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> The aero tube shapes in the hypervox aren’t revolutionary, but they are proven: the aero tube shapes in the hypervox aren’t revolutionary, but they are proven Familiar aero profiles are used

Bringing in the aero elements, the frame features popular Kammtail-type tube shapes and sleek internal cable routing. The top tube is kept horizontal to reduce frontal area. Looking at the seat clamp that holds the aero post, it’s sleekly integrated into the top tube.

We’re told the frameset hasn’t been tested in wind tunnels, however, its design comes from extensive computational analyasis.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939120-12mzq55coswcq-1000-90-4cf762f.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939120-12mzq55coswcq-1000-90-4cf762f.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939120-12mzq55coswcq-1000-90-4cf762f.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939120-12mzq55coswcq-1000-90-4cf762f.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939120-12mzq55coswcq-1000-90-4cf762f.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939120-12mzq55coswcq-1000-90-4cf762f.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> An ultra-flat top tube is certainly aero, although those seat stays are proof of the focus on ride quality: That seat stay connection doesn’t look very aero, but it shows Swift’s focus on ride quality

Once past the front of the bike, the rear is extremely similar to Swift’s Ultravox Ti and is designed to promote ride compliance. Also borrowed from the Ultravox Ti are the geomtry numbers, with the HyperVox measuring extremely close.

Construction wise, this is no doubt a high modulus bike using a mix of Toray T700, T800 and T1000 and T1100 fibers. Helping keep frame stiffness high with wide crank compatibility is a BB386 bottom bracket.

SwiftCarbon are claiming a medium HyperVox complete frameset to weigh in at 1320g. With the frame alone claimed at about 900g.

The HyperVox will officially launch in March. This premium frameset will sell for approximately US$4,000.

That paint <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939142-1sicodr3pwj5l-1000-90-29d9b22.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939142-1sicodr3pwj5l-1000-90-29d9b22.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939142-1sicodr3pwj5l-1000-90-29d9b22.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939142-1sicodr3pwj5l-1000-90-29d9b22.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939142-1sicodr3pwj5l-1000-90-29d9b22.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939142-1sicodr3pwj5l-1000-90-29d9b22.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Train, eat, sleep, race’ – says it all: ‘Train, Eat, Sleep, Race’

In addition to a new frame, SwiftCarbon are soon to roll out a custom paint program called Swift*ID, not too dissimilar to Trek’s ProjectOne program. With this, customers will be able to order bikes to their aesthetic desire. The brand’s owner, Mark Blewett, was the first to reveal such a program when he rode a custom-painted Ultravox Ti across Africa in the fastest human-powered crossing of the continent .

Now it’s Brownie’s turn, with a luxurious gold paint to commemorate the 36-year old’s Gold medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics in Team Pursuit and Olympic Madison. Additionally, it’s the Perth-based riders’ record 14 th Tour Down Under, having only missed four in the races’ existence.

A former rider with Rabobank, Brown has stage wins at the Tour Down Under, Tour of California and Tour of Langkawi among others.

Due to last minute preparations, this paint was laid down by Australian painting company Sun Graphics, but the promotional aspect for Swift’s paint program still stands.

Graeme Brown’s setup <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939124-1rpsz6aejresd-1000-90-90adf77.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939124-1rpsz6aejresd-1000-90-90adf77.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939124-1rpsz6aejresd-1000-90-90adf77.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939124-1rpsz6aejresd-1000-90-90adf77.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939124-1rpsz6aejresd-1000-90-90adf77.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939124-1rpsz6aejresd-1000-90-90adf77.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Drapac are currently using sram red22 mechanical shifting, no sign of etap wireless yet: Drapac’s bikes are built with a whole host of components from SRAM

Sitting on this new frame is a host of SRAM Red 22 and Zipp componentry. Compared to Martin Kohler’s Swift Ultravox Ti of 2015 , the team has made the move to Maxxis tyres and Tacx bottle cages for 2016.

A true sprinter, Brown uses Zipp’s hugely stiff carbon Sprint SL sprint and alloy SL handlebar.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939180-1fp91rc4ichzo-1000-90-2355e4c.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939180-1fp91rc4ichzo-1000-90-2355e4c.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939180-1fp91rc4ichzo-1000-90-2355e4c.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"><source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939180-1fp91rc4ichzo-1000-90-2355e4c.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939180-1fp91rc4ichzo-1000-90-2355e4c.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1452995939180-1fp91rc4ichzo-1000-90-2355e4c.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Brown uses a ‘v4’ version of the speedplay zero pedals, these are said to offer a tighter release: Speedplay ‘V4’ pedals look the same as standard the ‘V2’, but offer a tighter hold for the sprinters

Sponsored by Speedplay, Drapac use the Zero Stainless model. We’re told Brown has a special pair of ‘V4’ pedals, where the pedal’s retention clip is taken from a track version that makes for a tighter release.

Perhaps the only component on this build that isn’t belonging are the white Tacx bottle cages that don’t quite match. Limited supplies brought to the race meant mechanics were looking to buy black versions at a local retail store.

Complete bike specifications Frame: SwiftCarbon HyperVox , size medium Fork: SwiftCarbon HyperVox Headset: FSA internal tapered Stem: Zipp SL Sprint, 120mm, -12 degree Handlebar: Zipp Service Course SL-80 42cm Tape: Zipp Service Course Front brake: SRAM Red 22 Rear brake: SRAM Red 22 Brake levers: SRAM Red 22 DoubleTap Front derailleur: SRAM Red 22, with chain catcher Rear derailleur: SRAM Red 22 WiFLi Shift levers: SRAM Red 22 DoubleTap Cassette: SRAM PowerGlide 1170 11-28T Chain: SRAM Red 22 Crankset: SRAM Red 22 Quarq 53/39 172.5mm Bottom bracket: SRAM PF30 (non-ceramic) Pedals: Speedplay Stainless ‘V4’ Wheelset: Zipp 404 Firecrest tubular Front tyre: Maxxis Campione tubular, 25c (115-120psi) Rear tyre: Maxxis Campione tubular, 25c (115-120psi) Saddle: Fizik Aliante R3, K:ium rail Seatpost: SwiftCarbon aero, 15mm set-back (approx) Bottle cages: Tacx Deva (2) Computer: Garmin 510 (not pictured) with SRAM out-in-front mount Critical measurements Rider’s height: 1.80m (5ft 11in) Rider’s weight: 76kg (168lb) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 764mm Head tube angle: 72.6 degrees Seat tube angle: 73.3 degrees Saddle setback: 70mm Seat tube length (c-t): 520mm Tip of saddle to midpoint of bar: 563mm Saddle-to-bar drop: 120mm Head tube length: 148mm Top tube length (effective): 553mm Total bicycle weight: 7.43kg (16.38lb)