The Derby-based Forme bike brand is holding a dealer launch today for the 2012 bikes and among them apart from more hybrids and city bikes is an expanded road range that includes a couple of crossers, racers with a higher spec apart from the value models they're already known for and a full-on aero time trial machine.
Of course, we'd already had a sneak peek of the Forme 2012 range back in October. Product Manager Adam Biggs says he's feeling reasonably pleased with the brand as it goes into its third proper season. Numbers are well up, coinciding as they have with the recent growth in road bikes although they haven't sold as many as they could have, he says, if there had been more in stock. But manufacturing lead times stretch out six months and the dealers now numbering 160 nationwide are clamouring for more.
Last year the range expanded in the hybrid area as urban commuting took hold. This time there are a few more hybrids and mountain bikes, too, but the big news is further expansion in Adam's own beloved road bikes - he's a former racer who even competed in France before work commitments encroached. We sense there's a fair amount of vicarious bikie geekdom going on in Adam's head, not least because he's named all the 2012 road bikes after famous Peak District climbs and the one of the models, the new Calver X, is named after "the best cyclists' cafe in the country."
The new Calver X Race: "a proper race spec for £1,399.99" according to its designer.
Longcliffe 1.0: 7005 triple-butted alloy frame, Shimano 105, Mavic Open Pro rims and mudguard clearances for Cycle-to-Work Scheme money.
New Thorpe premium carbon frame weighs under 1,000 grams, in this spec with Ultegra, Easton EA70 wheels and finishing kit £2,199.99.
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The ATT is definately the best looking value for money complete package TT bike on the market that I have seen. If you have plenty of cash to upgrade components then the carbon Felt for an extra £300 looks a good deal but the heavy unbranded finish kit and wheels let the bike down. They have clearly saved cost but placing cheap kit on a carbon frame. The Forme here has full 105, Easton aero wheels, Vision profiled finish kit. Complete package along with the Kinesis superlight hydroformed frame defo is a winner for me!
Now I just need to speak to the wife to get a pass!!!
like the look of the longcliffe - i see a new winter bike coming...
@Jon Burrage - I've promised the missus that I will at least make some reasonable space in the shed before buying another bike, but thanks for the tips!
@Jon Burrage - oh Jesus now you've gone and done it. Why, oh why did you have to mention that?! My credit card was blissfully unaware of such a thing until now!
If £1600 is a stretch then they also have the s22 (with sram apex) for £1275.
Sorry, I dont mean to put you in a tricky situation!
It's the kind of bike (the TT one) you imagine casually mentioning at the start line for something, and saying smugly to a newbie or non-cyclist "oh, and it was only 15 hundred pounds, I mean only £1,500!" before looking at their shocked face who thought £400 was a lot
Yep the TT looks GOOD
The TT bike looks tasty for that price.
I thought that too, now i need to go & lie down in a dark room to cleanse my mind.... Timetrialling is evil
Not really convinced tbh, what when you can have a 2012 felt b16 (full carbon with ultegra) for £100 more...
"peek"
Can't believe I did that. Doh!