AX Lightness Vial EVO

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

Post Reply
nismosr
Posts: 1317
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 5:15 pm

by nismosr

wondering what are the members thought about the new Vial Evo frameset ? They come out next march 2014 and there's no actual ride review yet. Will this frame compare to the new Cervelo R5?
price wise is cheaper than the R5. Thank you
2020 Colnago C64 Mapei-SR12 EPS-WTO 60
2021 Basso Diamante SV-SR12 Disc EPS-WTO 60
2023 Colnago G3X-SRAM AXS Force-Levante

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



AXAxel
Shop Owner / Manufacturer
Posts: 58
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:24 pm

by AXAxel

Hello,

my name is Axel Schnura. I am the founder of AX-Lightness . First of all i want to say that i feel sorry for my English, it is quite poor but i will try my best.

The Vial evo shown on our website is a very early version. The frame changed quite a lot in the CS and BB area and decals. We will show the changes as soon as we have pictures available, this will be about in a mounth. The latest version looks a lot better ( to me ) and gives the frame a better stiffness in the BB area without negative effects to the weight below 700g @ size L .

I do not want to spam the forum with industry-blabla . For those who want further informations, you can contact me directly : axel.schnura@ax-lightness.de

I will answer your questions also beside the Vial evo .

Best regards, Axel

User avatar
coloclimber
Moderator
Posts: 2875
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 9:11 pm
Location: People's Republic of Boulder

by coloclimber

Welcome Axel! Nice to have you here.
-Deacon Doctor Colorado Slim

nismosr
Posts: 1317
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 5:15 pm

by nismosr

Welcome Axel, Thanks for the info, I don't think any information you would share to the forum is a spam.
I'm sure a few members here would like to know more about the new frameset.
2020 Colnago C64 Mapei-SR12 EPS-WTO 60
2021 Basso Diamante SV-SR12 Disc EPS-WTO 60
2023 Colnago G3X-SRAM AXS Force-Levante

User avatar
mythical
Posts: 1515
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2008 2:49 am
Location: Europe
Contact:

by mythical

Hi Axel, good to see you here! It's been a while since we spoke. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Funny to see this post. Coincidentally, I was looking at the Vial Evo webpage this morning and wondered how AX can sell it for such a reasonable price. May all go well with developments. :thumbup:
“I always find it amazing that a material can actually sell a product when it’s really the engineering that creates and dictates how well that material will behave or perform.” — Chuck Teixeira

User avatar
carbon2329
Posts: 753
Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2008 1:13 am
Location: Utah

by carbon2329

Welcome Axel,

Any info you could share is very welcome, I'm sure.
(i.e. starbike.com says the size 56 has a 175mm head tube length,..is that correct?)

I think we have exchanged emails..., anyway, we would love to hear anything about the frame.

Also, anymore updates on U.S. distribution would be great to know.

Kindest regards

mnmasotto
Posts: 581
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 7:16 pm
Location: Irvine, CA

by mnmasotto

When will you start delivering these frames? I know the website says early 2014 but I was wondering when deliveries could realistically be expected and will they come to the U.S. ??

AXAxel
Shop Owner / Manufacturer
Posts: 58
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:24 pm

by AXAxel

Hello,

thanks to all for your interest. The resonable price comes from our sales structure. Most brands sell through a distributor. We sell directly to the dealer. You also do not pay for espensive sponsorships and advertisements . The Vial evo is also easier to handle during the process of production than the Vial used to be and that saves expensive houres.

We designed higher HTs because many costumers need spacers on lower HT and that makes the stearing shaft of your forks weaker. It also looks better without spacers.

The frames will come during February in size L; M-S-XL will follow in March and April . We can only make 200 Frames/year .

We are looking for dealers in the USA but still have not found one. They stick to the big brands. It is difficult for a little brand to find partners because most dealers only want the big brands-those sell so easy.

The frame will come in matt finish with glossy black decals. We are building up our own paintshop in house for a high flexibility and quality. The costumers can include their names into the decals.

Please do not hesitate to ask more, also through my email adress if you want .

EightFiveTwo
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 5:23 am

by EightFiveTwo

effective top tube measures 56cm for size Large? just double checking
what about seatpost diameter?

dereksmalls
Posts: 2305
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2011 9:20 pm
Location: New Zealand

by dereksmalls

AXAxel wrote:The frame will come in matt finish with glossy black decals. We are building up our own paintshop in house for a high flexibility and quality. The costumers can include their names into the decals.


You could try Fairwheel Bikes directly, they might be keen as they are the go to people in the US for specialist lightweight bike components and frames.

mdeth1313
Posts: 2069
Joined: Sat Apr 22, 2006 12:38 am
Location: Dutchess County, NY

by mdeth1313

Can't speak for FWB, but given the history (in the US anyway), not sure anyone is going to bite on this.
Speedplay is the devil!

EightFiveTwo
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 5:23 am

by EightFiveTwo

I'm in the U.S., and have purchased THM products (cranks and brakes) and AX wheels and seatpost from Fairwheel Bikes. I'm not associated with this shop, and I have only good things to say about this crew.

From what I understand (and my wild guess), you need to get your situation sorted with this shop, so they can sell and push your product in the US market for you. They dropped your brand, or you dropped them as a retailer?

Do your research before taking my silly words---there are no one else (in the U.S.) can beat Fairwheel's passion, knowledge AND customer service in this weight weenie segment. As an example: Look at how they study all the cranks and provide comparisons accordingly...who (as a retailer) on earth would do that? If that is not passion and commitment, I don't know what is.

And yes, I would be the first one to jump on that size L frame if I can order it from Fairwheel. by the way, are you guys coming out with carbon clincher for road bikes anytime soon?

User avatar
prendrefeu
Posts: 8580
Joined: Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:32 pm
Location: Glendale / Los Angeles, California
Contact:

by prendrefeu

Guys, before some of you continue, there is a reason FWB won't carry AX Lightness anymore.
mdeth1313 alluded to it, but unfortunately we can not really talk about it publicly at this time.
If you need details on this specifically, there are few people who can answer the question of 'why' over PM.

Otherwise, let's just move on an assume FWB won't run AX Lightness anymore, period.

That said, I do like this frame and I am interested to see how it develops/feedback/verified weights, etc:.

Thanks!
Exp001 || Other projects in the works.

AXAxel
Shop Owner / Manufacturer
Posts: 58
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:24 pm

by AXAxel

Good morning ,

i am in contact with FWB, we will see what happens . Shurely they are one of the best dealers in the USA for ww parts . But for now we already have a good situation because our USA costumers buy through our internet-partners all over the world. But i agree, it is shurely better to have a dealer who also provides a service in the USA. If one of you has a idea then please let me know .

Our service in house changed 100% towards the costumer. Dominik is doing a good job here, do you know him ? We are still a small company and it sometimes takes a few days for a solution but we always have the costumer in our focus. As many of you know our costumers service used to be the horror a few years ago and i still apologize for that today.

The length of the toptube in size L is 565 mm middle/middle. We are designing more vibration absorbing shapes and use other materials beside CF in certain areas for more comfort. This is quite difficult because a roadbike also needs to be stiff. But we already found good working solutions .

Aerodynamic is also more important than in the past and we designed it to be a lote more aero than the old Vial.

The diameter of the seatpost is 27,2 mm .

If you were not so far away i would like to welcome you guys here to show you arround !

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



AXAxel
Shop Owner / Manufacturer
Posts: 58
Joined: Tue Oct 08, 2013 6:24 pm

by AXAxel

Sorry EightFiveTwo, i did not answer your question.

During this summer we concentrated on clincher/Tubeless MTB rims. Our technologies worked out to be extremely good. Those rims are superstiff and can carry impacts better than any other CF rim . The weight is 318g @ 25mm internal width ans 29" .

This technology is now runing into a road clincher rim. Our plan is to introduce it in late December .

Post Reply