The Featherweight is the middle brother in the Kyklos range. Its younger brother, the Feather, got the thumbs up with its pairing of compliance and stiffness, so we're pleased to discover riding the Featherweight also impressed. It's especially good for a long day in the saddle, yet ready to lead the gallop.

The Featherweight is a combination of monocoque and tube-to-tube assembly from a high carbon modulus T1000 mix, and at 960g for the frameset it's most definitely worthy of its name.

My small frameset was decked out in SRAM Red and FSA SLK carbon finishing kit along with a pair of Edco Albis Optima wheels, which all helped keep the build weight down. But even when riding with Mavic Askiums it was still incredibly sprightly and is a climber's dream.

Its race geometry feels nothing short of brilliant. I needed to add a couple of centimetre spacers to the 115mm oversized head tube, as I wasn't after a ‘slammed' position. The ride is responsive, without being twitchy thanks to the combination of stout forks and front end geometry.

The slender wishbone seatstays and fat chainstays flow seamlessly into the oversized BB30 housing, which leads to a barely there road buzz, a planted feeling when descending and eager response when climbing.

Verdict

Its price is going to be hard to swallow for some, especially as there is no heavyweight brand behind the scenes, but it's an ace ride. It wafts up hills, canters on the flat and eats downhills for breakfast. In my opinion, it's amazing and shows that Kyklos won't just be a flash in the pan.

Reviewer: Hannah Bussey