BikeRadar first reported on the launch of new bike brand Eastway back in February. The company are the brainchild of British distributor Fisher Outdoor Leisure, who handle SRAM and Avid on UK shores, among others.
Eastway have just dropped off the RD1.0, which tops their 13-strong bike line-up. The basis of the RD1.0 is an in-house-designed, carbon monocoque frame with bang-up-to-date features such as a tapered head tube, oversized bottom bracket shell and dual-fit routing to take mechanical or electronic drivetrains.
The brake routing, however, runs externally, in preparation for the imminent arrival of hydraulic disc brake systems (Fisher’s close ties to SRAM speak volumes on why they’ve gone down this path).
The bike is currently running Avid’s cable operated BB7s and a drivetrain of SRAM’s Force and non-series carbon chainset, equipped with a pair of compact 50/34 rings and an 11-28T cassette for a wide gear range.
The 32mm deep wheels are Eastway’s design and are built by Alex onto disc-specific hubs. Eastway have also created their own component line, comprising here of an aluminium, short and shallow compact drop bar, plus an alu stem and seatpost, and a saddle.
Slender seatstays and a triangular-profile top tube to add comfort
Our first impressions are that the weight feels pretty svelte for a disc-equipped bike, and that the geometry favours sportive riders, with a slightly taller head tube and shorter-than-average top tube for a Large model (equivalent to a 56cm frame).
The lack of rim brakes and the broad shouldered fork look to offer clearances for tyres up to about 28mm, and so far the bike has impressed us in terms of build quality and finish.
Fisher Outdoor Leisure have confirmed a retail price of £2,000, which for the components and quality of the frame seems to be good value.
The Eastway RD1.0 is set to feature in Cycling Plus’s upcoming disc road bike test, alongside the likes of Colnago’s C59 superbike stunner, Lynskey’s classy titanium Sportive, and the great value Ridgeback Advance 7. Stay tuned to BikeRadar for a full review.
For more information see www.eastwaybikes.co.uk.
