2005 ROBERTS 12+ pound "BACKPACK" ULT COMPACT RACER
The following text was provided by he owner of the bike, Neil Carlson, cyclist, London, England:
Perhaps the ultimate demonstration of what can be done to make a superlight steel racing bike. This state-of-the-art machine is one of the lightest truly "rideable" bicycles and, perhaps more notably, it is almost certainly the lightest folding bike in the world. However, this is certainly not a commuter’s dream, but an out-and-out racer.
In its debut at the London Cycle Show in September 2004, the bike weighed just over 12lbs (5500g). When fitted out for riding on the road (changing tubulars, chainrings and cassette), it weighs just under 13lbs. For 2005 I’ll try to get the bike down to 12.5lbs riding weight.
So far, the bike has been ridden for three days on a trip to the foothills of the Pyrenees, based in Carcassonne in the South of France. This means that I think it would be unfair to base a comprehensive review on first impressions. Moreover, my current fitness levels leave a lot to be desired! However, I can’t fault the BTCs, the bike’s portability made travelling light work, and the riding was unforgettable (can’t wait for my next cycling trip!)
As something of a light bike enthusiast, for some years I had been looking at building the lightest racing bike that a professional rider would consider suitable (for mountain stages in a multi-day race). Even the UCI minimum weight regulations did not deter me from searching out the best lightweight parts.
Then, about three years ago, my objective changed. I had been riding my S&S BTC-equipped Roberts Custom Compact Audax for a few years at home and on trips to France and Italy. Since touring hasn’t really been an option since the arrival of my son, and my racing days are probably past, my greatest cycling pleasure is to be able to go and ride somewhere special – counting down the switchbacks on a col, negotiating the bends on a scenic coastal route, flying along on smooth tarmac with the wind behind me.
Living in a big city, this means travelling – usually by train or plane, as we don’t have a car (with the money I spend on bikes, who can afford a car?). Any cyclists based in the UK knows how difficult getting bikes onto trains can be, especially over long distances. And the no-frills airlines’ baggage limits seem to be shrinking all the time. By the time my Roberts Audax bike was broken down into the S&S backpack with the essentials (helmet, shoes, toolkit and spares, pump, cycling clothes) it was already beyond these weight limits, as well as being awkward to carry.
Thus the new objective was born – create an ultralight racing bike that could be transported in a compact, lightweight, easy to dis/assemble package, to make the most of whatever time I could snatch to spend riding. Something reliable, guaranteed to heighten my riding experience and help make up for any shortcomings in my fitness.
After a visit to Chas Roberts’ workshop in Croydon, South London to discuss the idea, he agreed to go ahead. Sourcing the tubing took time, as various brands and tubesets were obtained and weighed to find the right combination. In addition, against all tradition, this was the first (and only?) frame produced at Roberts that was TIG-welded, rather than brazed, to keep the weight down. To compliment the carbon forks, a carbon rear triangle was joined to the steel main triangle.
As with anything so ambitious, there are snags and caveats. Some parts proved difficult to obtain, others did not match up to the advertised claims (Special mention must be made of THM, CAT Carbon, Extralite, Zero Gravity and Schmolke Carbon for their excellent service and outstanding components). It’s worth bearing in mind too that some of the selected parts have weight limits, though anyone under about 170lbs (77kgs) should be fine.
It would be easy (and much cheaper) to have Chas build up a machine that hits the 6.8kg UCI limit precisely for racers who want to travel light (but who may not be lightweights). Not only would you be getting a light bike, but the superb road feel, durability and repairability of steel, in a frame built by hand to your exact specifications.
So what’s the bike like to ride? Unless you’ve ridden a sub-14lb bike, you simply won’t have experienced just how fast a bike can accelerate when you stomp on the pedals. Stiffness at the BB is only half the story. Even seated climbing is vastly improved by the reduction in mass. It’s almost like it’s just you, with no bike underneath. The carbon forks and rear triangle soak up road shocks so effectively that I kept dismounting to check for slow punctures. Descending was surefooted – the bike corners as if it’s on rails – and the lateral stiffness of the forks seemed to help prevent front brake rub when climbing hard out of the saddle. As for the BTCs and the ride, there’s nothing to say. When one is riding, it’s as if the couplings didn’t exist. They do only what they are there for – and flawlessly.
This bike has been a labour of love, with a gestation period (5+ years) and a monetary cost (around £7,000) that just doesn’t bear thinking about. Still, if you have a family, lots of spare cash and a need for speed, this might just do the trick… If anyone wants to see the ULT Compact, the bike should be on display at Roberts Cycles in Croydon, South London from March 2005.
A full parts list is given below, with all weights taken using a digital (±1g) scale
Part |
Make + Model |
Weight(g) |
Frame (front) |
Roberts Columbus Foco, S&S BTCs |
575 |
Frame (rear) |
Roberts Columbus Foco, Dedacciai Blacktail S&S BTCs |
1013 |
Fork |
THM Scapula SP Tuned 1.125" (182mm) |
222 |
Headset |
Extralite The Head 1.125" |
62 |
Spacer |
5mm carbon 1.125" |
2 |
Ahead cap/Plug |
AX Lightness (5g) + Extralite UltraStar (9g) |
14 |
Seatpost collar |
Spicer Cycles Ti |
16 |
Stem |
Extralite Roadstem UL 1.125" 110mm |
97 |
Handlebar |
Schmolke Carbon TLO (42cm ctr-ctr) |
142 |
Seatpost |
AX Lightness 350mm |
144 |
Saddle |
AX Lightness Sprint Superlight |
54 |
Crankarms |
Cat Carbon (L arm 113g / R arm 186g) |
299 |
BB |
TNT SL Ti 107mm |
116 |
Chainrings |
Carbon 38/48 (37/26g) |
63 |
Chainring bolts/Washers |
Miscellaneous aluminium |
11 |
Crank bolts |
Middleburn self-extracting Ti (tuned) |
20 |
Brake/Shift levers (2) |
2004 Campy Ergo 10 Carbon (BTP clamps) |
310 |
Brakes (2) |
Zero Gravity (135g w/Deda bolt) (Zipp pads 46g) |
181 |
Brake cables |
CLB Alloy |
55 |
Rear derailleur |
Precision Billet Proshift (custom short cage) |
163 |
Front derailleur |
2004 Campagnolo Record 10 Carbon |
65 |
Derailleur cables |
Gore Ultralight |
54 |
Cable splitters (3) |
Unknown Aluminium |
18 |
Pedals (2) |
Speedplay X/1 Ti (BTP alloy plates) |
130 |
Chain |
Wippermann Connex 9X1 Ti (102 links) - lubed |
232 |
Cassette lockring |
EFFE aluminium |
5 |
Cassette |
EFFE aluminium one-piece 11-21 9-spd |
89 |
Front hub |
Tune Mig 66 (front wheel 461g) |
85 |
Rear hub |
Tune Mag 160 (rear wheel 543g) |
176 |
Rims (2) |
LEW Custom |
560 |
Spokes (30) |
DT Revolution/DB |
173 |
Nipples (30) |
DT Al |
10 |
Tubs (2) |
Tufo Elite |
220 |
QR (2) |
Heylight Al/Ti |
48 |
Bar tape |
Storck (black) + plugs |
59 |
Tub tape |
Jantex |
22 |
Bottle cages (2) |
BTP Kevlar |
12 |
Total (Show Build) |
5517 |
|
(12lbs2oz) |
||
To Make "Useable" Need To Change To: |
||
Tubs (2) |
Conti/Veloflex/Tufo road tubs (225g ea) |
230 |
Chainrings (2) |
Stronglight 48 & TA 38 aluminium (77/32g) |
46 |
Cassette |
Cycle Dynamics Ti 11-23 9-spd (142g) |
53 |
Total (On The Road) |
5846 |
|
(12lb14oz) |
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