Joss Lowden has broken the women’s Hour Record – and this is the Argon 18 Electron Pro she did it on

By Stan Portus

Published: Friday, 01 October 2021 at 12:00 am

Joss Lowden set a new Women’s UCI Hour Record yesterday (30 September), riding 48.405kph at the Velodrome Suisse in Switzerland to beat Vittoria Bussi’s 2018 record of 48.0007km.

Lowden rides for Drop Le-Col s/b Tempur on the road and normally rides a Ribble Endurance SL R Disc. For the Hour Record attempt, she opted to use an Argon 18 Electron Pro.

Lowden’s bike was kitted out with FFWD Disc-T SL wheels fitted with 23mm Vittoria Pista Speed 2.0 tyres.

"Joss
Lowden rode an Argon 18 Electron Pro frameset.
Matt Alexander

Behind much of the bike’s spec is Lowden’s partner Dan Bigham, co-creator of Wattshop, which manufactures parts and components that take an uncompromising approach to saving watts. He is also one of our favourite custom bike builders.

Lowden used Wattshop’s Pentaxia Olympic handlebar with Anemoi extensions. The basebar is specific to the Argon 18 Electron Pro.

"Wattshop
Wattshop supplied the base bar and extensions.
Matt Alexander
"Joss
The extensions were custom made for Lowden to accommodate her preferred narrow position.
Matt Alexander
"FFWD
The bike was fitted with FFWD Disc-T SL wheels.
Matt Alexander
"Close
Vittoria supplied the rubber in the form of its Pista Speed 2.0 tyres.
Matt Alexander

The extensions were specifically designed for Lowden, as she rides with her elbows particularly close together. The complete handlebar package with aerobars would set you back an impressive £8,500.

Elsewhere on the bike, there’s an SRM crankset fitted with a Pyramid Cycle Design chainring, which from the creases on its surface appears to be made from carbon fibre. While Pyramid Cycle Design normally makes custom alloy chainrings, many riders are now opting for low-friction carbon fibre rings, as Lowden seems to have done.

"Close
The 64-tooth chainring is made by Pyramid Cycle Design and appears to be carbon fibre. Lowden also used an Izumi KAI chain.
Matt Alexander

Lowden paired the 64-tooth chainring with a 15-tooth sprocket at the rear. This is a massive gear but it helped Lowden keep a lower cadence than would be desired for other track cycling events as this is said to help keep your heart rate lower.

Lowden ran an Izumi KAI chain, which during coverage of the attempt was said to be one of the fastest chains Wattshop has tested.

"Speedplay
Single-sided Speedplay Aero pedals provided some extra watt savings.
Matt Alexander

The record attempt also doubled as an opportunity for sponsor Le Col to show off its Le Col x McLaren Project Aero Skinsuit. This has dimpled fabric across the shoulder blades and tripping fabric on leading edges, and it’s said to have been independently tested and approved by McLaren.

Lowden also wore a POC Tempor aero helmet, which is probably most recognisable from the Denmark track team, who have been wearing it for a number of years.

"British
Lowden bettered Bussi’s record by over 300m.
Matt Alexander/PA Wire

A set of single-sided Speedplay Aero pedals further contribute to the watt savings.

Lowden has said she unofficially broke Bussi’s record in training earlier this year covering 48.160km in Aguascalientes, Mexico, where other Hour Records have been set, including Victor Campenaerts’ in 2019 (the velodrome there is at an altitude of 1,887m).

Joss Lowden’s Argon 18 Electron Pro for the Women’s Hour Record

  • Bike Frame: Argon 18 Electron Pro
  • Wheels & Tyres: FFWD Disc-T SL, Vittoria Pista Speed 2.0 23c
  • Pedals: Speedplay Aero
  • Chainset: SRM and Pyramid Cycle Design
  • Gearing: 64×15
  • Bars & Finishing Kit: Wattshop Pentaxia Olympic with Wattshop Anemoi extensions
  • Kit: Custom Made Le Col x McLaren Project Aero Skinsuit
  • Helmet: POC Tempor