Test: With the Storck Aerofast Platinum Disc, as the name suggests, we had a damn high-quality aero racing bike in our test. The elegant carbon frame is completed with mechanical Shimano Dura-Ace, DT Swiss carbon wheels, your own carbon cockpit and disc brakes.
Storck Aerofast Platinum Disc – The frame
The heart of the Storck Aerfast Platinum Disc is of course the frame, which was based on the previous model for rim brakes, but has been completely revised due to the disc brakes in order to combine the best aerodynamics, weight and driving experience. At first glance, the geometry and the seating position catch our eye. This is of course very sporty, but not as extreme as you are used to from other aerobikes. This is primarily due to the more moderate stack-to-reach values. So you also want to appeal to drivers who like it fast but don't want to sit quite so extreme. In any case, an eye-catcher is the wide-shouldered fork that Storck is known for, which is supposed to optimize the airflow on the front wheel and also offers a lot of tire clearance. It may take some getting used to at first glance, but it does its job and the look is ultimately a matter of taste.
With a slightly longer wheelbase, you want to ensure a more comfortable driving experience and smoother running. As is so often the case with current bikes, a slightly lowered rear end is used for additional comfort, which is intended to better absorb impacts and vibrations. Even if the cockpit makes a high-quality impression and feels good in the hand, the cables are not integrated but routed on the outside of the frame. With a racer that is otherwise so visually clean, of course not very nice and certainly not the most aerodynamic either.
Storck Aerofast Platinum Disc – the features
In addition to the frame and cockpit of the Storck Aerfast Platinum Disc, the high-quality equipment is also impressive. In order to give the ride a good boost, DT Swiss 65 millimeter high-profile wheels with the best hubs for proper rolling characteristics are used. These are complemented by Continental 4000IIs tires with the best all-round capabilities. It is shifted mechanically with a Shimano Dura-Ace and the crank and discs also come from Shimano. Here the question arises whether an Ultegra Di2 would not have been the better choice, since it might have been more suitable in terms of price and performance. Nevertheless, the mechanical Dura-Ace is one of the most precise and high-quality circuits on the market and delivers first-class performance, especially in the area of mechanical circuits.
Storck Aerofast Platinum Disc – That's how it rides
Arrived on the road, the Storck Aerfast Platinum Disc looks familiar from the first moment. This is primarily due to the geometry and the somewhat more relaxed seating position, as this allows you to find a comfortable position straight away and start riding. If you then want to get started, the Storck does not hide behind its relaxed geometry, quite the opposite. The Aerfast is and remains an aero road bike and shows it. Thanks to good rigidity in the steering head and the bottom bracket, the power transmission is first-class and the entire pedaling action is converted into propulsion. However, the rear end of the Storck is relatively hard and doesn't quite provide the desired comfort.
When accelerating after corners or on steep climbs, it accelerates extremely lightly thanks to its good rigidity and then knows how to maintain this speed. This is certainly also due to the DT Swiss carbon wheels, which roll impressively well with an appealing weight. The somewhat more relaxed seating position is also hardly noticeable here, you have the feeling that you can still get enough air and move freely even in an aerodynamic position. This also benefits you uphill, as you can ride freely here, and with a total weight of 7,38 kilos, the Storck Aerfast Platinum Disc has hardly any disadvantages compared to climbing specialists.
Once at the top we threw ourselves into the descent and were surprised by the balanced handling of the Aerfast. The slightly longer wheelbase gives you an appealing smooth ride without losing agility or making the bike feel sluggish. This is where the good Conti Allrounder and the Shimano discs come into play and give us a safe driving experience and the best control.
