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“The Foil gives you a very positive feeling of<br />
rigidity that really encourages you to pour<br />
in all of your effort. It’s fun and inspiring”<br />
even hear the spokes ‘pinking’<br />
like a cooling car engine as<br />
their tension came and went<br />
with each pedal stroke. Their<br />
weight is a clear hindrance<br />
when climbing, too. Neither<br />
is a big issue when you’re<br />
spinning along on the flat but<br />
a wheel upgrade should be<br />
your top priority ahead of<br />
some fancy new running<br />
shoes, a training camp or<br />
feeding the kids!<br />
The frame takes the edge<br />
off the worst bumps but it’s no<br />
airbed and it would be more<br />
tiring than the other three<br />
bikes here for an Ironman,<br />
especially one on UK roads.<br />
The steering isn’t as twitchy<br />
as you might expect: the Foil<br />
turns and carves a line with<br />
accuracy and confidence.<br />
With the stem sat above the<br />
spacers you get a sporty<br />
position that doesn’t demand<br />
extremes of flexibility on your<br />
part but which still places the<br />
emphasis on speed. Whip out<br />
the spacers and you can get a<br />
really aggressive position<br />
which will keep your back flat<br />
with clip-ons fitted. It’s just<br />
a shame that the tape<strong>red</strong><br />
spacers look daft and fit<br />
poorly when arranged in<br />
a different order.<br />
The Ultegra drivetrain felt<br />
as smooth as we’ve come to<br />
expect but it was interesting to<br />
note that it felt a little vague<br />
after the snappier SRAM kit on<br />
the Trigon and Cannondale.<br />
Test ride both if you can and<br />
see which you prefer.<br />
Anatomic bars also divide<br />
opinion but the quality saddle<br />
will suit most riders.<br />
conS proS<br />
VerdicT<br />
Aerodynamic design will help you<br />
cut minutes from long rides<br />
Stiff, light frame gives a top ride and<br />
will dazzle on upgraded wheels<br />
Wheelset is slightly heavy and way<br />
too flexible to suit the eager frame<br />
Comfort levels aren’t the most<br />
generous for long rides<br />
Performance<br />
Value<br />
oVerall<br />
the foil 20 is ballistic and only held<br />
back by its wheels. on faster hoops<br />
it would be perfect for attacking<br />
short and middle-distance races<br />
february 2012 115
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