The ICON series frame was modeled after our top-level Xenith. Think Xenith in butted aluminum instead of carbon fiber and you have the idea. We attempted to replicate EVERY attribute of the Xenith in the Icon and tested numerous protos on both our machines and the road repeatedly to get it right. From the precise and snappy handling in turns, to the out-of-saddle explosiveness in sprints, to the solid descent manners that inspire high-speed confidence. Combining the proven race-winning geometry of the Xenith with the durability and affordability of aluminum makes this an ideal CRIT bike, capable of delivering as much acceleration as you can provide the kick for.
The ICON frame features a larger 34.9mm seat tube, which allows us to spec an over-sized 31.6mm seat post. That larger diameter post flexes less than a 27.2mm post, providing a firmer pedaling platform for faster climbs with less wasted energy. Though the flexy 27.2 post might seem to be a good choice as an offset to the firm ride qualities of aluminum, both the Icon Elite and Pro are spec’ed with 31.6mm carbon fiber seat posts to damp in-saddle road feedback, keeping you fresher, longer.
One of the Xenith attributes we could NOT replicate in the Icon was its ability to damp road vibrations. Aluminum is just not as competent in this area as carbon fiber. But for us, this was a plus. If there is any one word that defines the Icon ride, it’s “immediate”. Step on the pedals and you move NOW. Lean to carve a turn and you’re ON IT like a freight train on tracks. There’s an immediacy in your connection to the road on aluminum. With carbon fiber, you tend to feel a bit more insulated from the road. It’s like listening to music with noise-cancelling headphones instead of LIVE. So while there’s a slight trade-off in comfort in selecting aluminum for the Icon over carbon fiber, many riders prefer that immediate connectedness and the confidence that comes from knowing exactly where you are on the road. We still made sure the frame was designed with just enough “give” for daylong rides. But what you are really going to appreciate is its ruthless efficiency. This is speed stripped down to its essence.
The Icon is not just a lighter, faster version of our aluminium Venturas. When we put this project on the design board, we knew we didn’t just want to make a bike that could make a difference. We also wanted to MAKE it differently. Which is what Synthesis is all about: small batch manufacturing. A process that understands a great riding experience begins with a great building experience, one frame at a time.
Scrap the thought that you have to buy carbon fiber to get a bike that’s light enough to race. The beauty of the Icon frame is that it’s lighter than our carbon fiber Xenith Comp (a raw 56cm Icon frame weighs in at 1150 grams!) yet costs much less to manufacture than a carbon fiber frame. So the Icon parts package can be considerably up-spec’ed over a comparably priced carbon fiber bike, ensuring that the Icon will ALWAYS be lighter and faster.
By enlarging the bottom bearing of the head tube from 1 1/8” to 1.5”, not only are head tube stiffness and steering precision increased, but we have sufficient room in the crown to produce a truly hollow fork from the dropout, up through the crown and steerer tube. It’s significantly stronger and stiffer for precise steering while still providing the perfect amount of vertical compliance for comfort.
• Shimano 105 11-Speed group including 105 FC-5800 crankset
• Mavic Aksium Race wheelset
• Tektro R540 forged alloy dual pivot calipers
Frame | Synthesis double-butted 6061 aluminum, tapered top tube, ovalized down tube, butted chainstays, twin seat stays, 1 1/8-1.5" tapered head tube, Press Fit 30 BB shell, 34.9mm seat tube and replaceable derailleur hanger |
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Fork | Jamis Road carbon composite fork, 1.5” hollow formed crown, monocoque one-piece forming technology, carbon dropouts with stainless axle interfaces |
Headset | FSA integrated, sealed bearing with nylon upper Compression ring, 1 1/8-1 1/2” |
Wheels | Mavic Aksium Race wheelset, 20H, 24mm rim profile with UB Control and H2 technology, Mavic alloy hubs with QRM bearings and FTS-L freehub and Self Locking straight pull aerodynamic spokes |
Tires | Vittoria Zaffiro Slick, 700 x 23c, folding |
Derailleurs | Shimano 105 RD-5800 rear and 105 FD-5800 braze-on front with 34.9mm alloy clamp |
Shiftlevers | Shimano 105, ST- 5800 Dual Control STI, 22-Speed |
Chain | Shimano HG600-11-Speed |
Cassette | Shimano 11-Speed 11-28T |
Crankset | Shimano 105 FC-5800, 50/34T, 165mm (44), 170mm (48/51), 172.5mm (54/56) |
BB Set | Enduro PressFit 30 with Wheels MFG adaptors |
Pedals | N/A |
Brakeset | Tektro R540 forged alloy dual pivot calipers with cartridge pads and Shimano 105 ST-5800 STI brake levers |
Handlebar | Ritchey Comp Logic Curve, 6061 aluminum, 31.8 x 380mm (44), 400mm (48/51), 420mm (54/56) |
Stem | Ritchey 4-Axis, 3D forged 6061 alloy, 6º x 80mm (44), 90mm (48/51), 100mm (54/56) |
Tape | Fizik Superlight Microsoft Touch with Fizik logo and end plug |
Seat Post | Jamis carbon fiber micro-adjust, 31.6 x 300mm with Jamis 7075-AL CNC aluminum 1-bolt seat post clamp |
Saddle | Selle Royal Seta S1 with Integrated Clip System, embossed cover and steel rails |
Sizes | 48, 51, 54, 56cm |
Color | ANO BLACK |
Weight | 18.75 lbs |
SIZE | TOP EFFECTIVE | HEAD ANGLE | SEAT ANGLE | CHAIN STAY | WHEEL BASE | FORK RAKE | BB DROP | HEAD TUBE | STANDOVER | STACK | REACH |
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48 | 20.27 / 515 | 71.5˚ | 73˚ | 15.94 / 405 | 37.72 / 958 | 1.97 / 50 | 2.69 / 68 | 3.94 / 100 | 28.15 / 715 | 19.53 / 496 | 14.29 / 363 |
51 | 20.82 / 529 | 72˚ | 73˚ | 15.94 / 405 | 38.11 / 968 | 1.97 / 50 | 2.69 / 68 | 4.72 / 120 | 29.33 / 745 | 20.35 / 517 | 14.61 / 371 |
54 | 21.42 / 544 | 73˚ | 73˚ | 15.94 / 405 | 38.07 / 967 | 1.69 / 43 | 2.69 / 68 | 5.51 / 140 | 30.16 / 766 | 21.30 / 541 | 14.92 / 379 |
56 | 22.24 / 565 | 73˚ | 73˚ | 15.94 / 405 | 38.90 / 988 | 1.69 / 43 | 2.69 / 68 | 6.30 / 160 | 30.90 / 785 | 22.09 / 561 | 15.51 / 394 |
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