For decades, QR has defined what’s possible in aerodynamics and practical use in triathlon bikes. From the first dedicated triathlon-specific bike in ‘87, to our groundbreaking SHIFT+ design found on our PRseries triathlon bike range, QR has created technologically-advanced bikes that push the envelope, with multi-award-winning solutions for speed. It’s that never-ending search for perfection that has made QR the first—and last—name in cutting-edge tri bike design and performance.

But we never rest.

We applied what we’ve achieved, then sought places where we could improve. We wanted even better aerodynamics. Less weight. Improved handling. Ease of use. And because these bikes are ridden by athletes in the heat of battle, a QR must always provide considerable advantage to the multisport athlete as they prepare for the run. Because at its core, speed is simple; engineering it into our bikes doesn’t need to be complicated.

So we started from scratch on an unmistakable new creation with themes of technology, simplicity, purity, attainability and lightness underpinning the concept. And of course, it had to be faster than ever before.

The result? The new V-PR.

If there is an overarching focus on the design of the V-PR, it’s slimmer—taking a fast bike, and scaling it to racing weight. Most obvious, we pared down the aerodynamic cross-section of the V-PR fork and opted for a more traditional aero fork/steerer interface. We also altered the shapes throughout the V-PR, maintaining a boat tail trailing edge where appropriate for improved aerodynamics at a variety of yaw angles, while maintaining—and in many instances, increasing—the speed, stability and overall performance of the V-PR against our competitors. A set of thin seatstays were vertically dropped as well and shouldered, reducing frontal surface area. The V-PR also employs a new light carbon fiber material—exclusive to the V-PR— for weight savings in addition to a new degree of targeted stiffness. Additionally, the profile of the downtube in particular changes as it descends from headtube to bottom bracket, delivering both aero advantage as windflow changes over the frame.

One of the cornerstones of our current design rests on our signature non-driveside aero chainstay; a large, triangulated surface area that helps turbulent air attach to the frame for cleaner airflow for more speed—we have called it Leading Edge Absent. It’s an area that experiences the turbulence of the front wheel and the mixing action of a rider’s pedaling legs—often considered “dirty air.” It’s a region of the bike to achieve great aero gains—and we’ve earned them. The advantages become amplified on the V-PR with the new redesigned LEA.2 non-driveside chainstay, our second iteration of Leading Edge Absent technology.

While we maintain a stiff chainstay with plenty of wind-taming surface area in the new V-PR, we’ve moved much of frame’s airflow area up, adding more surface area at the downtube/seattube intersect, while removing a large section of the oversized chainstay’s lower section.

In doing this, we’ve increased our longest seamless surface area of aero advantage on the V-PR’s clean air non-driveside. From the point that turbulent wind comes off the trailing edge of the front wheel and re-attaches to the V-PR frame—low on the V-PR downtube—it then travels smoothly and uninterrupted above the bottom bracket and along the new Quintana Roo LEA.2 chainstay. In parlay with our redesigned driveside-offset SHIFT+ downtube, the new LEA.2 chainstay helps wind move with less resistance than ever over the frame

Exclusive to Quintana Roo, Shift+ is an engineering design that helps minimize frontal wind resistance presented by the drivetrain, while diverting (or shifting) airflow onto the cleaner non-driveside chainstay. By offsetting the downtube toward the drivetrain, airflow is directed toward the bike’s cleaner non-driveside for less resistance, and more speed.

Collectively, we’ve taken the most turbulent air experienced across the frame, tamed it smoothly onto the bike, and vented it off cleanly. The bonus? While we achieved the goal of being more aero than ever in an area of “dirty air,” we also earned several significant grams of a weight savings in the frame.

And while we celebrate the aero gains the V-PR delivers, it’s the new design’s ride characteristics that will be truly palpable. With less surface area and less weight, the V-PR becomes not just our lightest frame, it is far and away our most stable triathlon bike. The rider will climb better, navigate tight, technical quarters with greater responsiveness, and handle crosswinds with more confidence—all advantages that lend toward the athlete, using less energy to fight conditions on the bike—and leaving more energy for the athlete on the run.

On the V-PR, less is truly more. We’ve opted for a traditional aero steerer/headtube interface saving precious grams, while also improving aero drag numbers at greater yaw—an instance when the added surface area can typically be problematic. The QR.SF fork’s elegant minimalism belies its responsive handling performance whether battling crosswinds or navigating tight roads, roundabouts and corners.

A central goal with the V-PR was to create a bike that raced fast, but delivered something unexpected, something never seen in tri bikes: the responsive handling capacity and climbing acumen of a premium road bike. In pursuing that objective, we can confidently say the V-PR is the finest-handling, best-climbing bike in triathlon.

Indeed, a bike that weighs less handles better through chicanes and around corners. It accelerates quicker, stops quicker, rolls over hills faster, climbs better, turns with greater precision and is simply more responsive—like a good road bike. In our effort to deliver road bike-type handling, engineering changes saw us tailoring back aero depth, focusing on shape change. We also designed a light fork with a traditional aero fork/steerer interface and reduced excessive surface area.

As a result, the V-PR is the lightest full-function bike we’ve ever made, standing at just 2,169 grams (includes frame, fork, seatpost, QBox and TT storage in 52cm). It’s a performance advance we know will be palpable the moment you begin to pilot—and race—the V-PR. In a complete stock bike comparison with size-equivalent models (Cervelo 54cm = QR 52cm = Canyon/Scott medium), and all bikes featuring no accessories (hydration, storage or nutrition boxes), the V-PR tips the scales as the lightest bike among industry leaders.

(All bikes in stock configuration with carbon race wheels)

Quintana Roo V-PR: 19.22 lbs
Cervelo P5: 19.44 lbs
Canyon Speedmax CFR Disc: 20.11 lbs
Canyon Speedmax CF SLX: 20.5 lbs
Scott Plasma Premium: 21.2 lbs
Specialized Shiv Expert Disc: 21.15 lbs