Having already been our most test-ridden bike platform ever, the 3T Strada DUE now benefits from the company's long term relationship with Sram to deliver the ultimate build in the form of this new 2 x 12 Sram Red eTap AXS equipped model.
The 3T Strada is an interesting and sometimes devisive bike. The 3T Strada 1x platform continues to encourage debate around the commitment to the 1x standard. As with most things that challenge the status quo, the 3T Strada has been received both with fascination and genuine appreciation, as much as it has by an incomprehension and derision that I liken to apes encountering something novel and not understood - tentatively poking at it with a stick to see what happens. For those fortunate enough to have ridden the Strada, the resounding concensus is that the bike is unbelievably fast whilst being remarkably comfortable. Good job too, since that is the point - Well done Gerard!
The 1x drive remains - for some - a sticking point; the good news is that the issue is mitigated entirely with the introduction of the Strada DUE
The new Strada DUE 2x12 is the complete package featuring all the benefits of a disc equipped bike developed from the ground up to incorporate wider tyres and disc technology into the aerodynamics. It is delivered in Stealth, a black graphic on Matt Black paint - and with the company's Superergo TEAM Stealth handlebar, Apto TEAM Stealth aluminium stem and Discus C45 LTD carbon aero wheels. The cassette is a wide ratio 10-33t that is mounted on Sram's XD-R driver body and coupled with the 48/35t front chainrings offers all the possible gearing you could need, from racing to mountainous Gran Fondos and everything in between.
The swathe of benefits already developed for the platform remain :
Reinventing the Road Bike
Since 1961 3T has never been satisfied with the status quo. Always searching for ways to make cycling faster and more fun they have constantly reinvented their products and cycling itself. That started the day Mario Dedioniggi founded Tecno Tubo Torino to make the world's best & most beautiful handlebars. And it can be found in every 3T bar, stem, seatpost, saddle, fork, crank, wheel and frame since. Mario's spirit - to try what others dared not - continues today under the stewardship of a fourth generation.
The most recent reinvention from 3T was the EXPLORO the world's first aerodynamic adventure bike, an unlikely mash-up that is vintage 3T and an instant classic. Now 3T has done it again reinventing the aero road bike from scratch with the STRADA. But "aero road" doesn't do it justice as it's not just extremely aero but also very comfortable. How can one bike be both? The key elements are tyre size optimization and a paradigm shift for the drivetrain combined with a lightbulb moment designing new aero shapes.
Wide Tyre Optimisation
The biggest factor in road bike comfort are the tyres; they provide more compliance than any other part of the bike. Wider tyres are better at reducing shocks from cracks, curbs, cobbles and potholes - which is why they are the norm at Paris-Roubaix. Wider tyres also have lower rolling resistance because their shorter contact patch requires less bending by the casing.
In addition wider tyres offer an advantage on long and multi-day rides, reducing the steady drain on a rider's energy level caused by high-frequency road buzz. But aerodynamics are also important on such rides and wide tyres tend to test poorly in the windtunnel. However that is to be expected if you test them with frames and parts optimized for narrow tyres. The STRADA is the first aero road frame optimized for wider tyres, so finally you can be fast and comfortable, all the time, from the cobbles to the climbs. All day every day with one and the same bike.
Double Duty
You probably know that 3T strongly believe in 1x drivetrains for many riders and situations. But they also know there are riders and situations where 2x still makes sense. With the Strada DUE, 3T have worked hard to keep the seattube as narrow as on the original strada so that the airlfow is disturbed as little as possible by the addition of the front derailleur hanger and the derailleur itself.
The use of Sram's XDR Driver lends even greater versatility and scope on the DUE with a wide ratio cassette in 10-33t to provide enough gears for any riding terrain or situation.
The Strada Due is only compatible with Electronic drivetrains. Without limitation it is compatible with all SRAM eTap and Shimano Di2 road groups. For Campagnolo EPS please note that its seatpost battery is very long so on smaller sizes there is a limit to how low you can position the seat before the battery touches the curved part of the seattube.
RealFast Aerodynamics
At 3T they design for real world aerodynamics at realistic speeds. This means they test at 20mph (32kmh) and 30mph (48kmh) and they test with bottles and other "difficult parts" for aero optimization and sometimes they even test dirty and muddy bikes.
Most importantly, 3T want to design frames that are fast with realistic tyres. It's no use that a bike tests fast with 21mm tyres if the rider puts 25's on. It's even worse if the rider would have preferred 28mm tyres that don't even fit!
After 17 years as co-founder/owner of Cervelo, most people think the head of design Gerard Vroomen is all about aerodynamics. They aren't completely wrong; the Strada is full of aero details including some like the front and rear wheel cutouts that are more commonly seen on time trial bikes.. But ask him what is is most proud of and he'll tell you it's how those aero features have been optimised so people can run up to 30mm tyres. because the comfort of the wide tyre in combination with unbeatable aerodynamics - the one bike for everything - is his real passion.
Fundi Aero Fork
The Fundi has an ultra short-stack crown which combines space for 28mm road tires with a lower crown height. This improves stiffness and moves the front wheel closer to the downtube creating a perfect transition for the airflow. This makes not only the Fundi itself very aero but also helps the front wheel and frame become more aero.
The crown smoothly transitions into the Sqaero profile of the legs combining aerodynamics with better stiffness properties. The Fundi supports flat mount disc brakes with the 140/160 mm disc adaptor completely integrated into the fork leg shape. The asymmetric, kinked left leg connects all the relevant points in the most direct way possible and is not only a visually striking design but also key to achieving a low weight and a minimal frontal area.
Mind the Gap: A smooth transition of the airflow from front wheel to downtube and from seattube to rear wheel is crucial to lowering drag. The STRADA minimizes these gaps while respecting the UCI rules.
Aeroflex: Bike frames are inherently stiff vertically and the right tyres offer much more comfort than a frame ever can. But 3T sqeeze out a few last percent with their extremely thin (=aero & comfortable) seatstays.
Disc Brake Only: 3T don't want to compromise weight, stiffness and aerodynamics by combining disc & rim brake versions in one frame platform so everything on the STRADA is fully optimised for flatmount disc brakes only.
Hide-Ration: The STRADA downtube is shaped to hide the water bottles from the airflow. The fastest set-up is one bottle low on the downtube - the "team-leader" configuration. Second-fastest set-up is with two bottles.