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Spotted: Flaer Revo Via Chain Performance System on Orica-Scott Bikes at TDU

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“The world’s first chain performance system will ensure your transmission operates at maximum efficiency from start to finish, no matter the conditions. The Revo Via applies a precise quantity of our specially developed fluid to the chain as you ride, giving maximum power transfer to the wheel, smoother gear shifts and a visibly cleaner transmission. The result – you get the most out of the effort you put in.” – says Flaer.

These claims were enough to pique the interest of UCI World Tour team, Orica Scott who have the Revo Via system fitted to the bikes of team riders Luke Durbridge and Daryl Impey. Click on through for more…

I photographed the system manual and drew the following conclusions about the Revo Via system – apologies in advance for any errors. The Revo Via consists of a control box (part #1) that mounts to the frame beneath the bottle cage, as pictured above. Inside the box are the electronics that control the system, powered by 2 x N (LR1) batteries. This box also acts as the system’s reservoir and stores 27ml worth of Via fluid – this is the only fluid that is recommended for use with the system. There is also a spacer that sits between the Revo Via box and the frame, along with various washers and zip ties.

For first time use, the system is primed for four seconds to get the Via fluid flowing through the system and hose (photos below). Then, a calibration step is performed. There are some other steps related to setup, but in a nutshell, the system can deliver 0.03ml of Via fluid at three different intervals – 30 seconds (recommended for rain), 90 seconds and 150 seconds (recommended for clear and sunny skies). The up / down buttons pictured above determine these intervals.

The part pictured above (referred to as #6 in the manual) bolts to the outside of the rear derailleur cage and substitutes the stock pulley bolt for a longer one supplied with the kit.

There is also the tiny hose (#12) for delivery of the Via fluid, which is run from the Revo Via box to the rear derailleur, connecting to part #6. In the case of the Orica Scott mechanics, they did a nice job of running the fluid hose internally, following the path of the Shimano Di2 wiring.

These photos were taken as soon as Daryl Impey rolled in from his Saturday morning training ride, the same day as the team presentation for the 2017 Tour Down Under.

The photo above illustrates an oil like residue coating the derailleur, which is likely excess Via fluid; it certainly felt slick. The team’s training ride on this day was approximately two and a half hours in length.

Excess Via fluid? can be seen on the rear wheel brake track of Daryl Impey’s bike. The team is evaluating the system for events such as Paris Roubaix and I assume they are still making adjustments to the frequency of lubrication, etc.

Flaer claim power gains of up to 12 watts using the system, and a significantly cleaner drivetrain. Once the system has been setup and calibrated, it will provide automatic activation – the system features wake, sleep and deep sleep modes. A 125ml container of Via fluid is supplied with the system. The 27ml reservoir inside the control box (#1) will provide 7.5 hours of riding on the 30 seconds setting, and 37.5 hours on the 150 seconds setting.

The Flaer Revo Via system is priced at £250.00 / $US 305.00 and is available direct from the company. Refills of the Revo Via system are priced at £6 / $US 7.30 for 125ml and £10 / $US 12.00 for 250ml.

Flaer


Article and photos by Gravel Cyclist. Jayson O’Mahoney is the Gravel Cyclist: A website about the Gravel Cycling Experience.

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fredescambia
fredescambia
7 years ago

Nothing like a lubed up brake track!

ATBScott
ATBScott
7 years ago

A lubed-up brake track, or even lube getting onto the tires enough to potentially make the difference when cornering at 100% could be a concern…I wonder if the system could be set-up for a rider to have a button under the stem or some out-of-the-way location where id they felt the chain was making noise/feeling rough while pedaling they could give it a hit of lube. Maybe some logic in the system to allow that only so often to prevent over-lubing…?

As a mechanic, I see a lot of folks that over-lube their chains as it is – a Pro Rider gets their bike cleaned/adjusted after each race – for “normal” folks, who don’t generally spend much time cleaning their bikes after a ride, I think this might be a potential problem…

JBikes
JBikes
7 years ago
Reply to  ATBScott

I can see this preventing over lube situations for many of the common joe. Not sure how residue build-up is handled though

oderus
oderus
7 years ago
Reply to  JBikes

Residue build up is handled one of two ways. First, it used to coat the rear derailleur to protect it from elements. Any additional excess is transferred immediately to the brake track to allow the rider to die a horrible, oily death.

JBikes
JBikes
7 years ago
Reply to  oderus

ha!

SK
SK
7 years ago
Reply to  oderus

haha!

Cyril Figgus
Cyril Figgus
7 years ago

12 watts is negligible for a training ride, meaning this is really only a race-day system. Assuming you give a damn and clean/lube your bike the night before, I don’t see drivetrain performance slipping that much during one race. Bottom line: I just don’t see the benefit.

myke2241
myke2241
7 years ago
Reply to  Cyril Figgus

Interesting product. It could be good in hot dry and dusty areas. Running a wax based lube doesn’t hold up well on medium rides for me. I switched to a heavier lube and I have been happy.

lovethebike
lovethebike
7 years ago

what everyone is missing is that this system is obviously meant for the last person in the team to coat the road and the riders (via the lube spraying off of the spinning rear wheel) behind the team, Looney Tunes style.

Rixter
Rixter
7 years ago

Clearly a solution looking for a problem. What happens in crash and the fluid line breaks and coats other parts of your bike

mac
mac
7 years ago

Any video of Impey screaming “get this crap off my bike! I lost my rear brakes”?

Mercianrider
Mercianrider
7 years ago

Specially developed fluid = bog-standard oil with some dye in.

Dave
Dave
7 years ago

Another example of “a fool and his money”. Saves 12 watts compared to what? A bone dry gritty chain?

Andrew
Andrew
7 years ago

Yeah this is different lube…its Snake Oil.

Dano
Dano
7 years ago

James Bond style oil slick button hidden on the handlebars to drop those pesky riders sitting on your wheel.

timmy
timmy
7 years ago

It’s curious how road racers are scared to death of disc brakes because one time someone got cut. Yet they seem to have no issue spraying chain lube onto the rim braking surface. Go figure.

Kieselguhr Kid
Kieselguhr Kid
7 years ago
Reply to  timmy

“because one time someone [might have] got[ten] cut”

durianrider
7 years ago

Just have one of those micro bottles of Squirt lube in your jersey and apply it mid ride. It is the fastest lube on the market and the cleanest. Also pretty eco.

Kieselguhr Kid
Kieselguhr Kid
7 years ago
Reply to  durianrider

Except Squirt takes time to dry, it’s best applied after riding.

durianrider
7 years ago

Cool to see gadgets like this though. If it was using Squirt lube I might be interested but otherwise Im not.

blah blah blah
blah blah blah
7 years ago
Reply to  durianrider

shredded banana skins are even better

Thor29
Thor29
7 years ago

Any motorcyclists out there heard of the Scottoiler? Same basic idea. I considered one of those for my motorcycle since I hate lubing the chain. It would also be handy on long trips. This thing however… no way. Not for racers, not for anybody. The 12 watt figure is bogus – that’s about the maximum difference that tests have found between best and worst case chain conditions. A well maintained race bike is not going to lose much efficiency even if ridden in the rain all day.

Cat 1
Cat 1
7 years ago
Reply to  Thor29

I’m guessing they found a 12 watt difference when compared to a rusty 6-speed chain with stiff links..

typevertigo
typevertigo
7 years ago
Reply to  Thor29

Other sources claim that Flaer is basically a spinoff entity of Scottoiler’s, so that might explain why these guys use the “same basic idea” quite freely.

Carl
Carl
7 years ago

@Thor29 – I was just going to mention the Scottoiler. I don’t know how well it works, do you? As a bicycle mechanic I look at chains all day that are either bone dry or caked with so much oil/muck that they barely turn. I applaud the fact that somebody else has turned their attention to this but I don’t think this is the solution. Keeping a chain clean and well lubed is actually not that difficult….

Ben
Ben
7 years ago

25years ago there was something like this fo MTB’s. guess that’s long enough for people to have forgotten what a bad idea it was

Bedampft
Bedampft
7 years ago
Reply to  Ben

“Rohloff Lubmatic” is what you are looking for.

And it was a terrible idea indeed.

Devil's Advocate
Devil's Advocate
7 years ago

I’ll buy one to put on my helmet and I’ll fill it with sunscreen.

Johnny
Johnny
7 years ago

WE ALL NEED THIS

spotswood
spotswood
7 years ago

Dumonde Tech. That is all.

Cat 1
Cat 1
7 years ago
Reply to  spotswood

Smells like bananas!

Greg
Greg
7 years ago

there is a manually controlled system with the same premise that was tested by Friction Facts. compelling data, when used in a muddy race. Perfect scenarios would be off road 100milers, La Ruta, and brevets on pavement. Certainly not for everyone.

Frank
Frank
7 years ago

This is like that other gimmick thatsprayed water into the face of the rider for a cooling effect …

Huffytoss
Huffytoss
7 years ago

How many watts do you save in comparison by having your team car pull up next to you while the mechanic pushes you and apply lube to the chain?

JOhnny
JOhnny
7 years ago

(deleted)

JOhnny
JOhnny
7 years ago

(deleted)

rich hargus
rich hargus
7 years ago

it looks like the chain is on backwards. if it is a shimano chain. correct installation can improve shifting also.

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