Italian stalwart De Rosa has announced the launch of the latest version of its flagship race bike, the Protos.
'The new Protos is the evolutionary result of years of research, innovation, design and collaboration layered onto the knowledge and instinct absorbed and accumulated over 60+ years of bicycle development and projecting that into the future in order to remain true to our family’s vision of producing the perfect bike for each customer', said Cristiano De Rosa upon the bike's launch.
In terms of specific performance gains though, De Rosa is claiming that the new Protos has managed to shed 20% of its weight compared with the old model, largely thanks to a new carbon layering system that its employed. CM63, to give it a name, is made up of four types of modulus and high modulus carbon, which De Rosa say has enabled them to maintain a decent stiffness-to-weight ratio.
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'I have always believed that the best possible bicycle is the one we haven’t conceived of or created – yet,' says founder Ugo De Rosa. 'I have instilled that concept into the minds and hearts of all the members of my family as well as our entire staff; our goal must continue to be to uncover the most innovative solution to the question: "How can we create the perfect bicycle for our customers?“ Our duty is, and must always be, to offer what our customers have not yet dared to desire – meeting their needs, exceeding their expectations and igniting their aspirations.'
The new Protos will be present in the pro peloton this year with the Italian pro continental outfit Nippo-Fantini, led by former Giro winner Damiano Cunego. This special edition Protos will be equipped with Campagnolo Super Record EPS V3, Campagnolo wheels, FSA Attack handlebars and a saddle by Selle Italia.
£TBC, i-ride.co.uk
