Tom Williams’s
Light enough for hilly road races but aero enough to make a difference on the flat
An impressive seventh place at the recent Lincoln Grand Prix suggests that Tom Williams and his Storck Aerfast.4 have a harmonious relationship. The 20-year-old, who rides for the Thriva Scott Redding Cycling Team, notched up the top-10 finish just a week after winning the Yorkshire Under 23 Classic.
“The Aerfast is a really nice bike,” Williams tells Cycling Weekly. “It’s one of the most aero on the market. I’m currently running it with Scribe Élan 60 wheels, so paired up it makes for an amazing bike. And while it’s very aero it still only weighs 7.6kg, making it a good all-rounder.” This number is even more impressive given that Williams rides a size large frame.
Bike set-up also plays an important part in ensuring Williams gets the most from his race machine. “Each season I go for a bike fit with Jon Wild at Pedalling Perfection and we get the bike dialled in,” he says.
Williams adds that the team has options when it comes to the build and Shimano’s Dura-Ace Di2 is his groupset of choice. At Lincoln, he used 52/39 chainrings matched to a 12-speed 11-30t cassette. However, a closer inspection reveals a slight component tweak.
“I’m running a 105 rear mech at the moment due to my Dura-Ace one breaking and it is currently being warrantied,” Williams says. “But I’ll be honest, I don’t notice a difference.”
FIZIK ANTARES R1
Williams has been using the 3D-printed adaptive saddle for almost three years, highlighting that when it comes to a bike’s vital touch points, ‘if it ain’t broke…’ ca
