Newly updated frame for Drapac Professional Cycling
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Martin Kohler’s Swift Ultravox Ti - 2015 Drapac Professional Cycling team bike(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
What does it say on the top tube? Train, Eat, Sleep, RACE(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
A new new name to the Drapac outfit, 29-year old Kohler is a former Swiss National road and time-trial champion(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Glued to the Zipp 303s are a pair of Vittoria Corsa Evo CX tubulars in a 25c width(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
SRAM-owned Quarq provides the power data in this SRAM Red Quarq crankset(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
A Fizik Antares R3 saddle sits on a 20mm layback Zipp Service Course SL post(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
For 2015 Swift has moved its head tube logo from the sides to the front (like everyone else), a lesson learned through a lack of brand exposure in front-on photos. Lower down, a square down tube uses the full width of a PF-30 bottom bracket(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
The Ultravox Ti's dropouts and slender stays remain an identifiable feature of the frame, while the SRAM Red 22 groupset is now the least commonly seen option at this racing level(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Martin Kohler at the 2015 Tour Down Under(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Drapac uses alloy Zipp Service Course SL handlebars and stems(Image credit: David Rome / Immediate Media)
Kohler on his Drapac debut at the Tour Down Under. It was a good race for the Australia Pro-Conti team, which won its first ever WorldTour stage on the final day
Looking at the bike specifications list below, you'd be excused for thinking that Kohler's 2015 Drapac team bike hasn't changed one bit since we looked at Jonathon Cantwell's Swift Ultravox Ti last year. While this may be true for the componentry, the Swift frame hides a few changes within.
BikeRadar caught up with SwiftCarbon's owner Mark Blewett during the Tour Down Under. He gave us some insight into the frame, revised once again as a result of direct feedback from Drapac.
From the outside it's hard to tell the revised frame from its predecessor. One clear identifier is the front of the head tube logo placement on the latest model
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"The latest version still shares the same mould, but now uses an updated production process using silicone formers inside the head tube and bottom bracket area," Blewett said. "This ensures maximum compaction of the carbon tube walls and reduces chances of wrinkling".
This new technique is not the only change though. "The (carbon) layup was changed slightly to accommodate this new process, and we included more T1000 fibres to increase the stiffness-to-weight figures by six percent," Blewett went on. "The fork crown was also reinforced with an additional layer."
Swift being a small operation, and former pro Blewett being based in China, frame changes can be enacted quickly. This being the Ultravox Ti's second revision in as many years is proof of this.
Blewett hinted that this would be the last year for the Ultravox Ti as the brand's top race machine, suggesting there's something very special on the way (we'll be sure to update you when we know more).
The rest of the Drapac team bike remains unchanged from 2014, with all componentry sponsors carrying over. One major sponsor is SRAM, which despite pulling back on its WorldTour sponsorship, has remained strongly in Pro-Conti and women's racing.
Power data is provided by Quarq
Kohler's ride features a SRAM Red 22 mechanical groupset and matching Quarq power meter. SRAM-owned Zipp supplies the cockpit and wheels, with Kohler on the 45mm deep 303 Firecrest tubulars.
As seen in our 'day in the life of a pro race mechanic' feature, Kohler – coming from Shimano with BMC Racing –is still getting dialled in with his Speedplay pedals.
Complete bike specifications Frame: Swift Ultravox Ti Medium Fork: Swift Ultravox Ti tapered Headset: FSA internal tapered Stem: Zipp Service Course SL 130mm, -6 degree Handlebar: Zipp Service Course SL-80 42cm Tape: Zipp Service Course Front brake: SRAM Red 22 Rear brake: SRAM Red 22 Brake levers: SRAM Red 22 DoubleTap Front derailleur: SRAM Red 22, with chain catcher Rear derailleur: SRAM Red 22 Shift levers: SRAM Red 22 DoubleTap Cassette: SRAM PowerGlide 1170 11-25T Chain: SRAM Red 22 Crankset: SRAM Red 22 Quarq 53/39 172.5mm Bottom bracket: SRAM PF30 Pedals: Speedplay Stainless Wheelset: Zipp 303 Firecrest tubular Front tyre: Vittoria Corsa Evo CX 25c Rear tyre: Vittoria Corsa Evo CX 25c Saddle: Fizik Antares R3, K:ium rail Seatpost: Zipp Service Course SL 20mm setback Bottle cages: Arundel Dave-O (2) Computer: Garmin 510 (not pictured) with SRAM out-in-front mount
Critical measurements Rider's height: 1.77m (5ft 9in) Rider's weight: 67kg (147.4lb) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 760mm Saddle setback: 87mm Seat tube length (c-t): 540mm Seat tube length (c-c): 505mm Tip of saddle to midpoint of bar: 590mm Saddle-to-bar drop: 110mm Head tube length: 147mm Top tube length (effective): 553mm Total bicycle weight: 7.19kg (15.82lb)
