Culprit Bicycles, an American brand being made in Taiwan and selling direct to the public, are preparing to launch their first bike, the Culprit Croz-Blade. It's a lightweight aero road bike that will be aimed at racers, but with a twist.
Company founder Joshua Colp has the firm belief that "disc brakes are the future" for road bikes and will be offering the Croz-Blade either with hydraulic disc brakes (likely TRP Parabox) or TRP TTV brakes behind the fork and under the chainstay for those who want a more aero option.
He says the prototype shown here weighs 7.3kg (16.09lb) for a 56cm frame built with SRAM Red, TRP Parabox, a 110mm carbon stem, 440mm c-c bars and 58mm carbon clincher wheels. That's not forgetting the striking colour scheme, which will no doubt polarise the opinions of BikeRadar readers. Five paint schemes and five decal options will be available.
Colp says the production model will be lighter when it's released at the end of 2012/early 2013, with pricing yet to be confirmed. Culprit Bicycles will also offer a high-end kids' racing bike that will be sold through distributors.
The Croz-Blade with SRAM Red and TRP Parabox disc brakes