Dolan Dolan Forza (2012)
Yet again Terry Dolan has pushed the boundaries of Track Bike Design with a brand new Endurance specific Track frameset the Dolan Forza.
Traditionally Endurance specific Track Frames are not as stiff as those designed for sprinting, however Dolan has again raised the industry standard to a new level with the Dolan Forza.
When work started on the Forza in late 2007 it was going to be solely a lo-pro Pursuit specific bike, however after extensive testing with high profile international riders the Forza was re-developed into a Endurance specific frame that due to it?s sloping geometry is suitable for use as a lo-pro in the Pursuit and in endurance events such as the Points, Scratch and Madison.
Terry and his specialist team?s extensive knowledge of Track bike design also allowed them to increase the stiffness of the frame by adding thicker tubing especially around the chainstays and bottom bracket area of the frame. This maximises power transfer from rider to bike, without wasting precious energy fighting the angles of the track.
Put simply this means that in addition to it?s primary use as an Endurance Frame the Dolan Forza is more than capable of matching the likes of the DF3 for it?s qualities as a Sprint Bike and is therefore suitable for use as a lo-pro in the Kilometre/500m TT and in sprint events such as the Sprint, Team Sprint and Keirin.
The only difference being is that the sloping geometry of the Forza provides riders with a more relaxed position than the Sprint specific DF3. This means that unlike the DF3 it can also be used in the longer events such as a 50km Points Race or Madison.
As with both the DF3 and Seta the Forza was designed using state of the art fluid modelling and wind tunnel experimentation. During testing in a wind tunnel the Forza was placed on a static trainer that simulated a rolling road at 50 Kilometres/Hour. The Bike and test riders, all Pursuit specialists, were then slowly faced with an increasing artififcial headwind that rose to 140 Kilometres/Hour. Built into the floor under the rider/bike is a large digital display screen (Voltmetre) that provides the rider with a Voltage that represents their aerodynamic efficiency. The smaller the number the less aerodynamic drag the rider/bike create and in return the faster they can travel.
In the test each of the riders were able to decrease their aerodynamic drag to the lowest it had ever been and the technicians in the centre, that is regularly used by Formula One teams to conduct the same tests on their cars, reported that the Dolan Forza had the lowest aerodynamic drag of any pedal powered vehicle they had ever seen.
The Forza?s semi-monocoque carbon design, meticulous carbon layup procedure, and choice of high-modulus fibers give the frame stiffness without sacrificing torsional and vertical compliance, making it more than capable of matching the legendary ride qualities of bikes such as the Dolan DF3 and Koga Kimera so it is no surprise to hear that National teams are already replacing their existing setups with the Dolan Forza.
The Carbon Fibre composite that makes up the Dolan Forza frame is the highest quality composite currently available in Track Cycling, the same weave and composition that is used in the construction of the British Cycling EIS Bikes. This makes the Dolan Forza the highest quality Carbon Fibre Track Bike that is available for purchase.
As with the DF3 the Forza is fitted with the ?Terry Dolan Patented? Stainless-Steel Dropouts that are thicker and stronger than any other Dropout available. The increased durability of the legendary ?Terry? Dropout means they are more than capable of coping with the countless gear changes that Track Cycling involves. New for 2010, adjusters have also been added for perfect alignment of the wheels
