The radical-looking Razik Vortex uses IsoTruss tubing to reduce weight, maintain stiffness and increase comfort. This construction has been around for a while – we first saw it on the Delta 7 Ascend back in 2008 – but is now exclusive to the new Razik brand. The Vortex is a completely new bike.
The IsoTruss technology was developed at Brigham Young University in Utah and patented for use by NASA. Exclusive to Razik in the bikes arena, IsoTruss is made of carbon weaved around metal rods and finished with Kevlar, the name coming from the isosceles triangles that form a truss of pyramids. These shapes are designed to create a rigid structure that offers torsional stiffness and less flex.
Along with this stiffness, IsoTruss naturally means a light weight platform. Our Ultegra-specced model weighs in at exactly 6.9kg, just 100g more than UCI weight limit, which is impressive considering the less than pro-level spec. Razik claims unmatched strength in the frame’s weight class.
The latticed design also means vibrations are dampened before reaching the rider. The IsoTruss sections – top tube, down tube and seat tube – are joined to carbon lugs, which are capped to avoid water ingress. The rear triangle is carbon and is ultra-stiff as eliminating buzz from the rear wheel isn’t a concern.
Razik also claims a “definitive aero advantage”. We know the Delta 7’s wind tunnel data showed it to be a little faster than solid round tubes head-on, but we can’t imagine that the Vortex performs well aerodynamically, especially at other yaw angles or compared to the latest aero road bikes. It’d be nice to be proved wrong though.
Pricing
- Frame and fork – £3,400 / US$3,999
- Ultegra build (as seen here) – £5,100 / US$5,999
- SRAM Force – £5,185 / US$6,099
- Ultegra Di2 – £5,950 / US$6,999
- Dura-Ace mechanical – £6,700 / US$7,899
- SRAM Red – £6,970 / US$8,199
- Dura-Ace Di2 – Electronic Shift – £9,250 / US$10,899
Our test model features 11-speed mechanical Ultegra with FSA SKL cranks, Stan’s No Tubes ZTR Alpha 340 wheels, Michelin Pro 4 tyres, Pro Vibe S stem, FSA K-Force carbon compact bars, Lizard Skins bar tape and a Selle Italia SLS Kit Carbonio saddle.
Handmade in the USA, the Vortex is the first of Razik’s bike lineup with hardtail and full sus mountain bikes also in the works. We’ll have a review of the Vortex soon.
Check out the gallery above for detail shots of the Razik Vortex, which is distributed in the UK by Ultimate Bike Frames and let us know what you think in the comments below.