What makes one bike faster than another? Is it the one that maximizes the stiffness-to-weight ratio or the one that fits so comfortably it leaves you with extra energy in your legs for the end of the race? Is it the most aerodynamic frame or the one whose stability allows you to take a sharp curve at full speed? The truth, of course, is that it's all of the above, and more.
At GURU, we've had the privilege of personally making bikes for thousands of cyclists from around the world—from everyday riders to world champions and Olympic gold medallists. This first-hand experience has solidified our conviction that cycling performance is a dynamic, holistic phenomenon, one that balances out a number of key characteristics:
- – Power Transfer
- – Aerodynamics
- – Handling
- – Comfort
While some players in the industry would have you believe that maxing-out one dimension is the way to go faster, logic would suggest otherwise. These dimensions are obviously inter-linked; some are actually inversely related. For instance, boosting stiffness as an absolute will eventually result in a negative impact on ride quality and handling.
The most aerodynamic setup in a wind tunnel is not likely the best position to generate maximum wattage over the long haul of a race. The trick is to find that "sweet spot" where all characteristics are optimized; where the ride comes together as 'one'.
It's not easy to hit the mark—given all aspects of individual morphology, relative flexibility, fitness level and training regimen, every cyclist is truly unique. That said, we can consistently make it happen because we start with a distinct advantage: custom. We effectively equilibrate all key variables when making a bike because we know exactly who is going to be riding it at the end of the process. Based on that definite starting point, our unique approach to engineering, testing and manufacturing a bicycle delivers a tuned, total package of performance to each of our customers.
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