Storck

Fascenario 0.7 Road Bike Frame

First introduced in 2007, the original generation of the Storck Fascenario 0.7 Road Bike Frame reaped more awards than any frame in history -- really. It had the highest ever recorded stiffness-to-weight ratio (104NM/Kg), the lightest weight of any production frame (790 grams), and was not only made from some of the rarest carbon fiber in the world, but with the most sophisticated layup process ever created, Storck's VVC. So, it should come as no surprise that Tour Magazine called it the "World Champion." And today, in its latest iteration, the Fascenario 0.7 retains the same award-winning aplomb of yesteryear, only guided towards Storck's contemporary standards.

Starting with the carbon, Markus Storck based the construction of the Fascenario 0.7 around its proprietary woven carbon fiber. The reasons for woven fibers are plenty. Unlike the uni-directional carbon fibers found in many frames, the Fascenario's woven fibers are oriented on two or more axes. Like it sounds, the fibers are woven, almost like a knit, and accordingly, the fibers handle flexural and tensile loads on multiple axes harmoniously as a collective. So, in even simpler terms, ask yourself a question: What's stronger, a rope or an unwoven collection of rope fibers? In its application, this theory proves to supply more impact resistance, durability, and more importantly, a higher stiffness-to-weight ratio (STW). For some background, upon the introduction of this frame's younger sibling, the Fenomalist, in 2011, the independent German testing laboratory, AFBB, concluded that the Fenomalist held the highest stiffness-to-weight ratio of any bike on the market. Now, with the latest generation of the 0.7, Storck's own testing concludes that this Fascenario 0.7 holds an even higher STW, making it the stiffest Storck frame, and placing it well above the stiffest, best handling frames available on the market today.

Now, it's worth noting that this frame utilizes the very finest of Storck's carbon fiber, CFR/1K. Easily ranked among the world's rarest carbon fibers, it essentially means that the carbon weave is approximately one millimeter in width. For perspective, a 12k carbon features a 12mm width and so on. However, where 1K differs from, say 3k or 6k, is that the fibers are much lighter and far more compact. Accordingly, this creates astronomical stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios, but, this level of detailed craftsmanship comes at a much higher price. This why the Fascenario 0.7 is the only frame in the Storck lineup to feature this carbon.

Let's approach the Storck layup process in a short series of steps. First off, Storck begins the design with 3D CAD imaging. This digital process provides Storck with the precise data and dimensions necessary for the development of the mold. From there, the CFR/1K fibers are soaked in resin and hand-placed into the computer-generated mold. However, before we get ahead of ourselves, Storck's process of doing this is not only time-consuming, but patented. It relies on its own manufacturing technology called VVC, or Void Vacuum Controlled. Essentially, this process reduces the required resin content by around 1/3 in comparison to the resin zeitgeist by eliminating the 'voids' in the carbon layup. Accordingly, the post-VVC layup is free from any bubbles or voids that decrease the integrity and capability of the finished carbon. But, once placed in the mold, the fibers are heated and pressed into place with an air channeling tool. Afterwards, the fibers are smoothed over by hand, ensuring an unprecedented level of preciseness and detail to the layup.

It's worth noting that the Fascenario is, in fact, molded in a monocoque. This means that the Fascenario is comprised of specific modulus carbon fibers throughout the frame, or in other words, it features a one-piece molded construction. This eliminates excess weight by requiring less carbon and resin application at the tube junctures of the frame. As a result, at around 790 grams, is actually 100 grams lighter than the Aernario, and is nearly dead even with the halo weight category of the BH Ultralight and Ridley Helium SL.

Moving into frame specifics, you'll find a massive, oversized PressFit BB86 bottom bracket juncture that efficiently transfers power to the rear triangle. And not surprisingly, we see the reoccurring theme at work again of increased weight reduction coming as a result of increased power transfer. At the seatstays, Storck gracefully originates them from a box-section above the brake caliper. And again, this results in increased comfort via vertical compliance, however, it also directly equates to a higher level of lateral rigidity. Additionally, you'll find that the Fascenario is painstakingly one of the most rider-tuned frames on the market. This is due, in part, to Storck's proportional tubing concept, where every frame size uses adapted dimensions, wall thickness, tube diameter, and tapering to ensure the exactly intended ride quality regardless of size. Rounding out the construction is electronic-specific internal cable routing.

For the fork, Storck incorporated its latest iteration of the trend-setting and award winning Stiletto, the Stiletto 300. The first version of the Stiletto was introduced in 1999, and was widely hailed as the lightest fork on the planet. Now, the Stiletto 300 tips the scales 20 grams lighter than the original Stiletto Light, and nearly 100 grams lighter than the Enve 2.0. The 300 features a tapered design that's been mated to a carbon reinforced heat tube and a 1-1/8 - 1-1/8 inch integrated headset.

Altogether, these technologies, paired with an unrelenting dedication to hand-built perfection, create a frame that's balanced, lightweight, compliant, and most importantly, fast.

The Storck Fascenario 0.7 Road Bike Frame is available in the color Black/white and in six odd sizes from 47 to 63cm. Please note that this frame uses a PressFit bottom bracket and a replaceable CNC-machined aluminum derailleur hanger. Additionally, despite being electronic-driven, the frame routing is also compatible with mechanical shift systems. Also, it requires a 31.6mm seatpost.