Product news: Corratec racing bikes 2017 - careful model update in Raubling

Market: Corratec still has more than 20 different road bikes in its 2017 range. Victories at the Ötztal Cycle Marathon or the rock-hard Red Bull Transsiberian Extreme show that the Upper Bavarian blacksmith from Raubling knows their trade. We looked at the model range from time trial bikes to gravel bikes.

Corratec's carbon racers: CCT Evo and CCT Team

In the high-end range of its carbon fiber racing bikes, Corratec is carrying out a model update for 2017 and is making some adjustments in detail. However, the basis of his two models CCT Evo and CCT Team remains: the frame. In the case of the CCT Evo, this was only presented as a completely new development for the 2016 season and has since clinched a number of renowned titles: Not only did the winner of the Ötztaler 2016 sit on a CCT Evo, but also the winner of the Transsiberian Extreme ultracycling race, the probably the toughest and longest stage races in the world.

The basic ingredients of the CCT Evo are well chosen and help the carbon racer to achieve balanced handling. Aerodynamics came first during the development process. For this purpose, the wind tunnel of Airbus Defense & Space GmbH was used and more than 100 individual measurements were carried out at different angles of attack, and the final frame shapes were fine-tuned based on the first prototypes. Speaking of frame shape: The tube shapes were developed according to a so-called NACA profile. NACA stands for National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and is a subdivision of NASA. NACA profiles designate certain aerodynamic shapes that are primarily used in aircraft construction, eg the wings.

[blog style=”def” cols=”2″ display=”specific” specific=”59427″ posts_per_page=”0″ offset=”0″ pagination=”no” ad_id=”0″ ad_count=”3″ ad_repeat=”yes”]

During the analyzes in the wind tunnel, however, not only the frame itself was optimized, but also the fork. The result of this process is the so-called Pro Control Fork, which, depending on the angle of attack and wind strength, is said to reduce drag by more than 15% compared to its predecessor. Through a clever distribution of the carbon layup and the corresponding shape, it was also possible to achieve pleasant vibration damping, which counteracts upper body fatigue, but should not have a negative effect on driving behavior.

Complex, aerodynamic and thus tend to be rather bulky frame shapes like the CCT Evo usually have one disadvantage: the higher use of material increases the frame weight compared to conventional round shapes. To counteract this side effect, the EPS manufacturing process is used in the production of the Corratec CCT Evo frame. Molding any carbon part requires internal pressure that presses the layup against the outer mold and makes the part what it is. While special balloons are often used for this purpose, which – to put it simply – are inflated within the carbon mold, Corratec uses expanded polystyrene, which expands when heated, during production. This prevents the formation of unfavorable creases and makes the component significantly more stable overall and the wall thickness more even. In this way, material can be saved and the frame weight can be kept low.

The Upper Bavarian manufacturer also uses the same EPS production process for its CCT Team frame. In contrast to the Evo top model, however, this is not constructed quite as complex and has not been optimized down to the last decimal place in the wind tunnel. The frame weight is just over 900g but on the same level as the CCT Evo. So if you can do without the aero advantage, you will be rewarded with a really extremely attractive price/performance ratio with the CCT Team models. The variant with a group of 105 is available from €1.699. With the CCT Team Disc, there is also the only model with disc brakes so far - you don't have to be a clairvoyant to predict that one or the other model will be added here in the future.

[blog style=”def” cols=”2″ display=”specific” specific=”24679″ posts_per_page=”0″ offset=”0″ pagination=”no” ad_id=”0″ ad_count=”3″ ad_repeat=”yes”]

Corratec also has something in its range for lovers of particularly exclusive bicycles and bicycle frames: In cooperation with the Italian frame construction legend Mauro Sannino, they offer hand-made, tailor-made carbon frames that undergo a complex adjustment process, not only in terms of their geometry, but also in terms of the use of materials and other factors individually adapted to the future driver.

Corratec C-Time time trial machine

Corratec's time trial car C-Time remains unchanged in the program. The UCI-compliant racing machine in the fight against the clock remains untouched in terms of equipment, design and overall concept for 2017: eye-catching blue-silver design, integrated stem-handlebar combination and specially made seat tube. The three equipment variants with Dura Ace Di2, Ultegra Di2 and the pragmatic 105 group are also being retained.

 

 

Not old stuff: Five aluminum racers from Raubling

Let's not kid ourselves: the number of road bikes with aluminum frames is decreasing from year to year. On the one hand, that's not particularly surprising, after all, carbon production is becoming cheaper and cheaper and the bikes are therefore affordable even for those who don't want to spend a fortune. On the other hand, this quiet swan song on aluminum is annoying for all those who don't want to do without good equipment even in the lower price ranges or are simply looking for a cheap second or training bike.

At Corratec, too, the trend for road bikes is towards carbon, but at the same time they try not to neglect the racers with aluminum frames. In the 2017 model year, there are therefore two product ranges and a total of five models whose heart beats with a metallic sound.

With the two Corratec Corones models, the aim is to appeal to price-conscious racers who do not want to do without a sporty, racing-ready seating position and appropriate equipment on an aluminum frame. The top model comes for under €1.800 with a complete Ultegra group, Rotor cranks and lightweight Mavic Aksium Elite wheels.

With the three Dolomiti racing bikes, the aim is to enable those who are interested to (re)enter the world of racing bikes at a reasonable price. The seating position tends to be a little more relaxed. Here you have the choice between Ultegra, 105 or Tiagra group.

Corratec Cross 2017: One carbon, two aluminum

Except for a few minor changes in the equipment, everything in the Corratec cyclocross models for 2017 remains the same - this also includes the division between carbon and aluminum. The top model CCT Cross Ultegra Disc relies on a carbon fiber frame. As the name already suggests, this is a brother in the spirit of the two carbon street models - it has the weight-optimized EPS production in common with them, although the cross frame is of course a bit more robust.

Corratec Gravel 2017: all-rounder all-road

Also known from last season is Corrate's first ever gravel racer, which goes by the name of Allroad. Visually, it is understated with its brushed aluminum frame and – as befits a bike in this category – is equipped with disc brakes. In view of the low price, the fact that these come in a mechanical version is no more a surprise than the 2×8 Shimano Claris group. Functionally, however, there shouldn't be much to complain about on either side and the overall package still remains below the magical 11kg limit.

Corratec Allroad 2017 equipment

Drive: Shimano Claris
Crank: Shimano Claris
brakes: TRP Spyre
impellers: ZZYZX 700c disc
Weight 10,92kg

Price: 999€

Website

www.corratec.de