The Continental Bicycle
The 'Continental Bicycle' from the collaborative hands of Ira Ryan and Tony Pereira is perhaps a more fully realized manifestation of the bicycles our Rapha Continental riders have been relying on for the past six years. Ira and Tony have been involved with the Continental as builders and riders since we began that journey.
Commonly regarded as the top of their field, Tony has been recognized by the judges of the North American Handmade Bicycle Show for ‘Best Fillet Brazed Bicycle’, “Best Road Bike” and “Best Off-Road Bike”. Tony is currently teacher in residence at the United Bicycle Institute in Portland. Ira brings a hard-working, hard-man ethic that has gained attention with a Bicycling Magazine cover story in 2010. Ira has logged countless hours as a rider and ridden to victory twice in the 350 mile Trans-Iowa gravel road race on his own hand built frame.
Together, these friends and master-builders are bringing their passion for riding fast and hard—no matter the conditions—to this Continental bicycle for Rapha. The Continental frameset will be made from a hand-picked blend of Zona and Spirit tubing from Columbus Steel and will be both lugged and fillet-brazed, reflecting Ira and Tony’s preferred techniques. This is the first time that they are officially partnering to create bicycles, they’ll be sharing the downtube with one of their names on each side.
Components and Configuration
The Continental is all-weather, all-terrain, all-the-time steel bicycle fashioned after the bicycles ridden by the Rapha Continental riders. Offered only as a complete bicycle, every component has been purposefully selected after more than five years of riding some of America’s best-kept secrets.
| Crankset | SRAM Force GXP Compact |
| Bottom Bracket | Chris King |
| Derailleur Rear | SRAM Force |
| Derailleur Front | SRAM Force |
| Cassette | SRAM PG-1070 10-Speed 12-25 |
| Chain | SRAM PC-1090 10-Speed |
| Brakes | Tektro R538 Standard Reach |
| Controls | SRAM Force DoubleTap |
| Seatpost | FSA SL-280 |
| Fenders | Velo Orange Alloy |
| Headset | Chris King NoThreadSet |
| Handlebar | FSA Energy Round Drop |
| Saddle | Fizik Aliante Delta |
| Bar Tape | Fizik |
| Tires | Continental Grand Prix 4000 700x25c |
| Wheels | Chris King Classic Hubs with DT Swiss RR 415 rims |
| Stem | FSA OS-190 |
| Pump | Topeak Road Master Blaster |
Component spec may change subject to availalbility.
Options
| S & S Coupler Travel Package |
The S & S coupler system makes it possible to break down the bicycle and pack it in an airline compliant luggage. We will offer this as a complete package including the coupler installation, a coupler wrench, hard case travel luggage and packing materials. Price: $1190 |
| Cages and Bottles | King Cages and Rapha "bidons" Price: $60 |
| Chris King Color Options |
Pink or Black Chris King Hubs, Headset and Bottom Bracket. Price: No Charge |
| Rapha Seat Pack and Tool Kit |
Rapha Tool Wrap including tube, patch kit, levers and quality USA-made hex keys. Price: $70 |
Geometry
| Frame Size | 51 | 53 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 59 | |
| B | Seat Tube Length (Center-Center) | 51cm |
53cm |
55cm |
56cm |
57cm |
59cm |
| A | Top Tube Length (Center-Center) | 53.7cm |
54.5cm |
55cm |
56cm |
57cm |
58cm |
| H | Head Tube Length | 97mm |
117mm |
132mm |
142mm |
152mm |
172mm |
| C | Stand Over Height | 770mm |
789mm |
803mm |
813mm |
822mm |
842mm |
| Typical Rider Height | 5'3" - 5'5” |
5'5 - 5'7” |
5'7” - 5'10” |
5'10” - 6' |
6' - 6'2” |
6'2” - 6'4” |
