BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
New UK-based bike brand Rapide has officially launched today, with a debut range of nine British-designed endurance road bikes for 2015.
The adult range starts at £649.99 and reaches £2,999.99 for the range topping Rapide RC4. It also boasts two kid’s bikes (24” and 26”) both for £399.99.
Born out of the Ridgeback brand, the Rapide name has heritage dating back to the ’90s when it was originally used by Ridgeback for its road range.
Now launched as a standalone brand, it aims to create all-day comfortable bikes ideal for the UK’s numerous mass participation events. Particular attention has been paid to geometry, focused around stack and reach, resulting in logical progression between sizes to ensure the perfect fit, the brand said.
Rapide brand director Phil Hammill said: “We are delighted to finally unveil this debut range from Rapide, a range we have been working hard on for two years. We have already received some great feedback from those who have been involved and we are really happy with how the range has turned-out and confident the cycling public will feel the same.”
Many in the trade will have seen the bikes up close at Sportline’s Milton Keynes HQ over the past week. But for those that haven’t the range’s stand-out bike is the Rapide RC3 (£1,799.99). Using a mixed carbon layup of 24T and 30T carbon, compact geometry and carefully thought-out tube profiles, the Rapide maintains the feel and handling of a true racing bike while not compromising comfort. The RC3’s lightweight frame is paired to a mix of Shimano’s latest 6800 Ultegra 11 speed groupset, purposefully specced with a wide gear range making it ready to fly round even the hilliest of sportives on the calendar.
The RC3 comes in matte and gloss black with fluro yellow accents. This style is in-keeping with all the bikes in the range, which prides itself on sleek understated design.
The brand added: "At Rapide we are dedicated to producing bikes suitable for first time cyclists all the way up to elite level riders. Having been born out of the Ridgeback brand, we share the same ethos – high quality bikes with purposeful specifications, all designed in the UK. Whatever your road cycling goals are, we’re sure that you’ll find a Rapide that’s right for you."
There are more details on the newly minted official site – www.rapidebikes.co.uk – plus more on the video below:
