forme rapide racing bike

Description:

FORME Rapide – RRP £575

For getting in those off season miles on salt coated roads the Rapide is the ideal winter bike for the experienced rider. Taiwan’s Kinesis manufacture the 6061 aluminium frame; being super sturdy the ride feels extremely safe and very comfortable with its high head-tube, its response to direction change is good and firm.

Wheels are One23 on Formula hubs; these are basic and perform fine, if you need a smoother set of wheels then an upgrade would be desirable. Microshift’s SunRace 8-speed provides the gears, driving this is the FSA Tempo chainset, shifting is ok but not as positive as you would be accustomed to on your racing machine. Braking with the dual pivot Tektro calipers gives a sensation that feels better than the gear changes with the reasonably good SunRace shifters.

Overall the Forme Rapide is built for comfort; the frame does feel very dependable, and if not just a winter bike it is ideal for commuting. The finish is very neat and arrives with mudguards, not the lightest at 10.5kg (23.1Ibs), Microshift are an up and coming component manufacturer so the SunRace equipment is relatively untested. Retail price is £575.

FORME Rapide Specification

Frame: Forme Kinesis AL-6061 PG w/mudguard eyelets
Fork: Forme Carbon curved blades 12K, 1-1/8″ alloy steerer, integrated od 45mm
Cranks: FSA Tempo 50/34t compact
Front Derailleur: Microshift FD-R80
Rear Derailleur: Microshift RD-R86
Shifters: Microshift ST-R80 8speed
Cassette: Microshift CSR86 12-25t
Chain: Kmc Z72 106 link, 1/8″x3/32″ for 8-speed
Front Hub: Formula RB31
Rear Hub: Formula RB32
Rims: One23 SL 4000
Tyres: Vittoria Zaffiro 700x23c
Brakes: Tektro R317
Handlebar: One23 SL alloy 6061 31.8mm
Stem: One23 SL DA35 – 7D rise, 31.8mm
Saddle: One23 Ergo race
Seatpost: One23 SL 222 31.6x350mm alloy with micro adjust