Rapha Condor Recycling.co.uk

Rapha/Condor/Recycling.co.uk team members ride Condor Leggero framesets for 2008, which is a full carbon, handmade frame.

The Leggero is made up from individually selected tubes that are cut and bonded to our specifications then hand wrapped with carbon layers in an Italian workshop. Not only does this make the frames light, stiff and responsive they still retain good comfort levels as well as the options of custom sizing.

The frame is matched with Dedacciai's new Wave fork which offers a direct feel at the front end. The bikes feature Shimano Dura Ace groupsets and a host of other 'blue chip' suppliers.
 
Team road bikes are available for sale to consumers with all groupset levels available.

More pictures of Dean's Condor

Dean and Kristian
We talked to Dean Downing and Kristian House about bikes

Does a new bike signify the start of a new season for you?
Dean - Yes it does, I was like a kid in a sweet shop when I got my new bike at Condor's before the team launch.

Kristian - Getting a new bike and new kit always is an exciting part of the year and with that, all I want to do it start racing. I'll generally have already been training by the time I get my 'race' bike, so my season is in a way already started, but getting all the kit really makes it feel like its all happening.

Do you have any special set up for your bikes?
Dean - I love racing on deep section tubular carbon wheels, but the set up I tend to go for is high brake/gear shifters, I call them my 'shooters' and all the lads seem to take the piss out of me for them. I need them high as I am getting old now, its better for my back ha,ha.

Kristian - The only special setup I have really is the position (as with all cyclist) I tend to just ride what I'm given. You don't generally have a lot of choice, when your being told what to ride.

Dean on his first bike

What was your first bike and do you still have it?
Dean - My first bike was when I was 5 or so, but my first racing bike was when I was 8. I won my first ever race on the track on it at Middlesborough track, sadly I never kept the bike.

Kristian - My first racing bike was a Specialzed Epic. Took me all summer to buy it, putting 10 or 20 dollars down on it a week, I loved it when I got it. I don't have it any more though.

Do you tinker with your bike endlessly?
Dean - I don't tinker with it endlessly but it does take a few tweaks to get it feeling perfect at the start of the season.

Kristian - Not really, when I get the position I tend to leave it alone. I actually hate tinkering with it.

Do you change your bikes from race to race?
Dean - It would be great to have different bikes yeah, but I think only some of thebig bot Pro Tour teams have that luxury.

Kristian - No, I don't change bike much, maybe wheels, but that's about it.

Bike Spec

Frame - Condor Leggero

Fork - Dedacciai's new Wave fork

Bars - Deda Elementi Newton bar

Stem - Zero 100 Service Corse stem

Pedals - Dura-Ace

Gears - Dura-Ace

Brakes - Dura-Ace

Tyres - Continental Attack/Force tyres

Wheels - The team will start the season on Dura-Ace Scandium wheels, move onto the new Dura-Ace Carbon Laminate wheels with Dura-Ace deep Carbon tub wheels for the big races

Saddle - The Fizik Arione is a limited team addition made especially by Fizik.

Condor Cycles - www.condorcycles.com/

Kit
The squad will be using equipment amounting to more than £125.

Shoes - Shimano R300 custom fit shoes.

Helmets - Giro Ionas

Eyewear - from the new Giro range to be launched in February

Bottle cages - Elite carbon

Bottles - Science in Sport

Static Trainers - Elite

Nutrition - supplied by Science in Sport

Luggage by Samsonite

Clothing - Rapha (of course)