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IB14: Hedrick Cycles Bends Convention w/ New Version4 Road Frame

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Hedrick Cycles Version4 carbon fiber road bike frameset - BIKE

Hedrick Cycles is a California brand launched by Carson Hedrick to honor his late father, Steven, a longtime cycling staple of the SoCal scene. Walking through their booth, I noticed the distinct lack of variation, which was intentional. They want to build one bike for a category and they want it to be the best. The pictures here don’t quite do it justice – the unique angles and tube shapes are eye-catching without being obnoxiously different for different’s sake. And each bend, curve and turn serves a purpose.

Made in Taiwan, the frames are 100% designed by Hedrick and are their own. Carson told us: “We take a lot of time and pride in the designs that we release. For the current Version4 (our flagship model) we wanted to produce a truly all-around road bike. We have built in aero features, such as proprietary tube shapes and hidden brakes.”

After the frames are made, they head to CA for paint and assembly. Here’s how it all comes together…

Hedrick Cycles Version4 carbon fiber road bike frameset - HEADTUBES

The cables are guided into the frame with their Omni-Cable ports. Using different versions for mechanical and electronic drivetrains, they bolt into the frame for a clean appearance with just the right number of holes for the intended application. TRP TTV aero direct mount brakes front and rear also maintain the streamlined appearance.

As for the unique front section, Carson explains:

“With the “all-around road bike” mindset, we gave all of the tubes a “kammtail” cross section that aids in aero performance, while giving incredible stiffness. However, the tubes are wider than traditional aero tube designs, allowing us to save weight and increase stiffness at the same time. In regards to the kink in the top tube, the idea is simple – design a frame that has great front end stiffness, but that is also comfortable. We found that after the 3” mark, the head tube stiffness didn’t change, which was awesome, because it allowed us to drop the angle of the top tube, which gives compliance and comfort by allowing the seat post to act as a suspension point.”

Hedrick Cycles Version4 carbon fiber road bike frameset - SEAT TUBE FLAT
A hidden seatpost binder bolt sits in front of the post, which has a flat rear end matching the seat tube.

Hedrick Cycles Version4 carbon fiber road bike frameset - SEAT TUBE ANGLE

Flat sections of tubes (top of top tube, insides of seat stays) contribute to a really unique looking frame.

Hedrick Cycles Version4 carbon fiber road bike frameset - BOTTOM BRACKET

Claimed frame weight is 1000g, and Carson says when built up with SRAM Red 22 and an Envy cockpit, it comes in under 14lbs complete. They’re also working on an SL version that’ll be noticeably lighter.

Hedrick Cycles Version4 carbon fiber road bike frameset - CHAINSTAY

Hedrick Cycles Version4 carbon fiber road bike frameset - TOP HEAD TUBE LOGO

Framesets start at $3,050 and include one of five paint schemes (add $200 for custom paint) and the fork, seatpost, FSA headset and brakes.

hedrick-Version4-carbon-fiber-road-bikes-from-california06

So, what happened to Versions 1 through 3? We asked, here’s the answer:

“Great question! Versions 1-3 are quite different from the Version4, and from each other (though they weren’t called that at the time). Version1 was the first design that I had, and was actually built in the graduate dorms at The University of San Francisco. At the time, I was (like everyone else) sourcing tubes from ENVE, and then bonding them together using a wet applied carbon. Admittedly, it was very heavy, and not that strong, but it was still awesome.

“V2 was similar to V1 in that I was still using ENVE tubing, but this time I was using prepreg carbon. This allowed me to increase the stiffness and drop the weight of the frameset considerably. I did this for a few years, and really enjoyed making custom bikes for our customers. But, as any custom builder will tell you, it’s hard to make any money doing it, especially when it takes 3-4 weeks per frame.

“V3 was a way for me to continue selling bikes, and having fun doing so. It was an open mold design that I sourced from China. V3 was very short-lived because I didn’t want to be another bike company selling open mold frames.

“So, with all of that in mind, I decided to take a chance and design a brand new bike and go into full production. I worked on the design for about 8 months, and then using inheritance money, and some startup cash, I started producing the Version4.”

Word is they’ll have a TT bike out in early 2015, followed by a mountain bike frame he’s working on now.

HedrickCycles.com

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NASH
NASH
9 years ago

Hopefully version 5 will have a little better front brake cable routing.

Andy
9 years ago

This bike looked like a Madone BB area, Cervelo P4 Chain stays, Tarmac seat post area and a Venge rest of the bike…except the fork, looks like a Noah and the kink in the top tube looks like that Look who’s name escape me….Interesting bike!

Dave B
Dave B
9 years ago

It seem every conceivable tube shape, bend, angle, curve, etc. has been tried by someone, mostly for the sake of being different, not because it does anything useful.

Cogzilla
Cogzilla
9 years ago

an Envy cockpit!

JBikes
JBikes
9 years ago

So is it a 3″ drop of the top tube from horizontal?
What does that have to do with the kink, or what purpose does the kink serve?

Seems an interesting bike.

mudrock
mudrock
9 years ago

I wish this guy success, but I’m guessing V5 will ditch the TRPs and BB mount and go to Dura-Ace direct mount (or the Bontrager version). I like that he built it up w Campy.

Peter R
9 years ago

The “kink” reminds me of the Look 566

Dougfresh
Dougfresh
9 years ago

UGH, Hedrick, that HT cable port…

beenatittoolong
beenatittoolong
9 years ago

nice work. knowing what it take$ to get proprietary designs in multiple sizes out of asia, the fact there are soooo few of these out there, how to they pay for this? is this a rich guys hobby?

WheelsGoRound
WheelsGoRound
9 years ago

I personally own one of these bikes, and I must say…. They are truly amazing. Being more of a steel snob, I am continuously impressed with how much life they bring to my ride. Quiet, smooth and electric like a fine tuned Dario Pegoretti this bike puts my power into the pedals, and then down to the pavement. The geometry is an aggressive one and can be a bit much for longer rides, but is a blast for my local punishers. I would strongly recommend this frame for anyone looking for an upgrade from their current whip. It really is incredible.

tom
tom
9 years ago

Graphics are nice, but I’m afraid the design was driven by looks. And the price isn’t that low for a bike that doesn’t seem any better engineered than most of the open mold stuff coming from the same region.

beenatittoolong
beenatittoolong
9 years ago

“At the time, I was (like everyone else) sourcing tubes from ENVE, and then bonding them together using a wet applied carbon. Admittedly, it was very heavy, and not that strong, but it was still awesome”

you must have been doing something wrong. “everyone else” ‘s bikes are still on the road after many many years and many of them are far lighter than this bike you have presented today. nothing wrong with what you have done here but “…very heavy, and not that strong…” was your result was, not that of “everyone else”.

HI
HI
9 years ago

(deleted)

Mr. P
9 years ago

I agree with you HI.

These guys must be bitter with the direction of their armchair engineering careers.

P

Antipodean_G
9 years ago

“So, with all of that in mind, I decided to take a chance and design a brand new bike and go into full production. I worked on the design for about 8 months, and then using inheritance money, and some startup cash, I started producing the Version4.”

Hats off to him, that takes guts balls and a lot of faith to fork out your own cash to make something happen.

And I quite like the frame design, especially the graphics.

Mortimer
Mortimer
9 years ago

Cool bike. Just looks right to me.

haromania
haromania
9 years ago

Great looking bike. Hope you do well with it. I will probably never own another road bike again, but I still appreciate them and this one looks amazing.

Dan k.
Dan k.
9 years ago

This frame looks like a madone, look 566, cervelo and tarmac all slapped together which could have a been a disaster, but it this case its done tastefully, IMHO.
Shimano direct mount brakes would have been a way better way to go though.

Toby Johnson
Toby Johnson
9 years ago

I would ride this Frame with pride, it is simply perfection on two wheels. It’s history has a background movies are made of, and this guy is putting everything a person could give to make it happen. Time to start saving my money!

joe
joe
3 years ago

Looks like a Willier

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