Withstands 100K cycles 1300N load

Withstands 100K cycles 1100N load

Withstands 100K cycles (+400/-800N)

2)  Size - This is the size of the frame that was tested or weighed.  The independent testing laboratory requests that manufacturers send them a size equivalent to a 56 cm frame.

3)  Weight - weight of the frame.  (E) is an official weight per testing laboratory results.  (C) claimed weight per manufacturers web site / literature.  Note - claimed weights often are 'raw weights' and do not include solid or clear paint finish, seat tube binder or any other frame inserts or attachments.

4)   First year offering molded carbon frames - Valdora's parent company, OI, Inc., has been in the carbon frame business since 1997.  Initially selling frames to other companies for private label and then creating the bpStealth brand which turned in the two fastest IM Canada bike splits two years in a row and an over all victory in 2002 and many more top IM finishes.    Valdora was created in 04/05 as a trademark battle loomed for the bpStealth mark.  Being an expert in the carbon frame business is not automatic because one has a powerful brand name or large marketing dollars.  Giving the perception of such is easy though.....as long as you have a powerful brand name and big marketing dollars.

5)  Origin - China.  Some companies also have duplicate molds in Taiwan or with other Chinese contractors.  European companies often paint their frames in Taiwan and call them made in Taiwan to avoid the EU's high tariffs on frames from China.  Other European companies import the raw frames, paint and blatantly label made in xzy European country.

6)  Tested at EFBe - EFBe is the bicycle industries most respected independent testing laboratory.   Results here can not be bought.  You can, however, choose not to make all of your results public.  Now if we could just get them to do wind tunnel testing - (cause we're tired of hearing the marketing mumbo jumbo about pigs flying backwards that are as aero as jets).

7)  Test certification levels at EFBe - There are three levels of testing - Standard Performance - (based on the standard EN 14781) is a fairly stringent test method and should be passed for basic safety and performance, High Performance is tested under significantly higher stresses than standard.  Top Performance is tested under significantly higher stresses than high performance.  As the load is increased from standard through Top, the difficulty in passing the tests increases exponentially.   

Note - at the time this table was compiled, the only TT/Tri frames that had earned a Top Performance certification for the Full Test were the Valdora PHX, Isaac Joule, and Scott Plasma True Aero.  Impressive doesn't even describe it.  In the very simplest terms the frame will last till you are old and gray or run into a wall at 30 mph, in the latter case make sure you indicate in your will who the frame will go to.

8)  MSRP - (two parts to this) - In general, frames that weigh 1300 g or less are made with lighter, stronger, more expensive materials.   They are simply more expensive to produce. Add to this the cost of research and development, design, and the huge costs associated with tooling such as opening molds and making fittings and you realize why they are more expensive.  In the case of open model frames such as the one listed on this table you will note that the brands using it have no up front investments or cost....$0.  In comparison to the Valdora PHX, the multi branded model weighs 200+ g more, has lower fatigue strength, and lacks a basic aero property such internal cable routing.  The reason it's included in the table is because it is offered under several different brands and we end up repeatedly answering the same questions about the same frame.  We're not knocking this particular open model or any other.  Simply educating those visiting the Valdora website looking for answers.

 9)  Replaceable derailleur hanger - We would not think of making a high end frame without a replaceable hanger.   Correct, the hanger is not as strong as one that is not replaceable but isn't that the point?  It'll break away or bend prior to damaging the frame.  $20 and you are on the road again.

10)  Adjustment screws in the drop outs - The PHX dropouts are horizontal as are some of the other frames in the table.  The adjustment screws allow the rider to make adjustments for tire size so the tire can be positioned as close to the seat tube as possible to minimize drag.

11)  Internal cable routing - Looks clean but the main purpose is to minimize drag by keeping that cable housing out of the wind.   There have been non bike company related studies on this over the past several years and the results indicate internal cable routing definitely offers an advantage.