Bikes can take you to some unexpected places. Last Tuesday I found myself in Windsor, wandering around the beautiful arcades of the refurbished old station opposite Windsor Castle. I was trying to find the Cinnamon Cafe, but the sat-nav on my car didn't think it existed and had parked me a mile away in the most confusing multi-storey car park in the Home Counties.
I was desperate for a coffee (the M25 was a nightmare, as it always is around Heathrow when I go through there), but more than that I was eager to meet up with GB Paralympian cyclist Darren Kenny, who is about to launch a new sports bike brand on the market.
The brand is Estrella Bikes, and its launch last week is the culmination of a 20-year dream born of Darren's desire to bring affordable choice and quality to the carbon-framed bike market.
Estrella are launching with a range of frameset and build options. The Camino Liso tops the range. The frame is made from premium grade Toray T1000 carbon and is, Darren explains, "designed to give as much comfort as possible without it compromising performance."
Alongside the Liso is the Camino Clasica. This is built from T800 carbon and is based on the traditional (or classic) road race geometry, while still, Darren assures us, giving a lightweight, high performance frameset.
Thirdly there's the disc version, for those who need a little extra stopping power or just want consistent braking whatever the weather.
All of these framesets are available equipped with SRAM or Shimano in either 105, Ultegra or Ultegra di2 full build options, and with the Liso you have Cero wheels as standard.
There is a fourth version, the Camino Clasica Novato. This, Darren explains, is a full bike "based on the Clasica frame and built mainly from our own brand components as it is aimed at people who want the same high quality frameset but are on a tighter budget perhaps.
"There is plenty of scope to slowly upgrade until you have something equally as good as anything else out there. Some people might just like the slightly more understated look as it's just the red graphics over carbon."
Each frameset features internal cable routing and the Strella brand makes its mark with eye-catching colour schemes in red/green, red/yellow or blue/pink, the matt finish complemented by exquisite detailing around the forks and stays.
Prices start at a very competitive £850 for the frameset, and £1150 for a full entry-level Shimano or SRAM build.
I'll be going for a ride on one of the range-topping Lisos this week, so look out for a full report soon.
For more information, keep an eye on the website coming soon at www.estrella-bikes.com.
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