Please click on the picture below to read the review of the NeilPryde Diablo featured by the German cycling magazine www.light-bikes.de.
Please find the English translation below.
NeilPryde Diablo – a surf brand on wheels
NeilPryde, famous for windsurfing equipment, recently entered the cycling market. 40 years experience in water sports are now brought onto the road. The development was through a collaboration with BMW Group DesignworksUSA. Two different road bikes, Alize and Diablo, are available on the website www.neilprydebikes.com and at Finisher Sport (www.finishersport.de) in Hamburg, Germany.
The more expensive Diablo comes as a frameset, or with Shimano Ultegra or Dura Ace. The frameset is equipped with frame, fork, FSA headset and seat clamp for about 2.000 Euro. The Ultegra version including Mavic Ksyrium Elite costs about 3.400 Euro and the Dura Ace version with Ksyrium SL about 4.400 Euro. We had the opportunity to test the Diablo with a Dura Ace configuration.
Our test bike has been equipped with Lightweight Obermayer wheels from Carbonsports with spokes and hubs in the same painting. Apart from this the bike is equipped with standard components from Shimano, FSA and Selle Italia and weights 6,4 kg. The monocoque frame (made of unidirectional carbon fiber) stands out due to its voluminous transitions in the front triangle. The 1,1/8” – 1,1/2” head tube with the distinctive down tube comes with a painting which has an interesting effect, which makes the bike a bit different from its competitors.
Even though the transition between head tube and seat tube looks great, the impression is a bit interrupted by the thin seat post, which only measures 27,2 mm. A bigger diameter would have been more suitable.
The form language continues at the bottom brackets, where massive transitions meet aerodynamics.
The impression on the road: The mounted Obermayer wheels make the bike very fast. The frame is very stiff und is easy to ride through curves. The position of the rider is very balanced, even on longer rides. The built-in components work very well.
Conclusion:
The driving quality, stiffness and comfort is very good. Shortly, the bike has been developed for propulsion without being unpleasant. The design is very unique and well thought out, except the seat post integration.
To summarize: A satisfying debut of the surf-professionals in the bike sector. We are curious about the future. Additionally, NeilPryde definitely knows how to do excellent marketing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrTXl-Ov0ng&hd=1