Serk launch the A40 and the Nearly World Champs roundup

By James Knipe News 0 Comments

The A40 dubbed “The Fixer” is Serk’s latest addition to their lineup, this all-road frame is not just a jack, but a master of all trades. The A40’s party trick? A comfort zone so vast that finding the end of it will take you far beyond your destination.

Whether you want to build it up as a sleek road bike with minimalist internal cables and some racey wheels, or as a rugged terrain-stomper that eats whatever’s on the menu, the A40 will enlist that chameleon-like change of colour and blend seamlessly into whatever you want from it.

So what exactly has Serk done to make the A40 such a compelling bike?

Weight and Comfort

The A40 enhances comfort and sheds weight with newly hydroformed tubes, coming in around 100 g lighter than the A30. Despite this, it retains the A30’s renowned handling while expanding real tire clearance to 40 mm.

Compatibility

To meet modern drivetrain standards, the team developed a custom UDH dropout called the Centurion Dropout—not an off-the-shelf part, but one built to their own specifications.
Both internal and external cable routing options are available, allowing for full-length internal housing and improved weather protection.
They also engineered a modular CNC insert compatible with virtually any front-derailleur setup (mechanical, Di2, or wireless). It doubles as a cable stop and tension adjuster.

Simply put, the A40’s drivetrain compatibility is exceptional.

Versatility

The A40’s broad capability inspires confidence—swap a few components and it’s ready for any adventure. The phrase “quiver killer” is overused, but the A40 makes a convincing case; it’s aiming to replace everything short of your house keys and toothbrush.

How did we build it up?

At the Nearly World Champs race weekend, we built one up at just 6.7 kg without pedals. Despite the clearance for 40mm tyres and the incredible versatility, this all-road bike was right at home in a road race and performed like a rocket ship.

It’s no mistake then, that it’s been dubbed “The Fixer.” No matter the job, you can count on the A40 to get it done!

Serk Events and the Nearly World Champs 🌈 🏆

Serk never stops encouraging people to get out on their bikes, sometimes in stunning and demanding locations such as Tibet on their frontier trips. They are also very charity-focused, through their Masaka Cycling Foundation, which supports underprivileged cyclists with gear, coaching, and whatever else they’re able to provide.

The reason they are such a community based brand is because the real reason behind everything they do is their people. They walk the walk by putting on awesome events such as their annual NWC (Nearly World Champs) – a handicap race that throws out the rulebook.

The NWC aims to bring bike lovers together and put on a race that, in theory, anyone can win. Each rider fills out a series of questions (Age, weight, how shit is your bike? Yes—they literally phrase it like that.) and based on the answers, each rider is given a start time. Riders with better bikes, fewer kids, or more training time will get less of a head start.

In the 2023 edition, a strong rider (shoutout to Lee!) earned a huge head start by racing on a rented city-share bike that weighed a ton. There may, or may not, have been a six-pack of beer in the front basket during the race. Despite the odds – and plenty of climbing – he still averaged a blistering 25 km/h. Chapeau!

The atmosphere is one of comedy, as everyone turns up with their bag of excuses to justify head starts. Which brings us to the bribes… Riders are given additional head starts for buttering up the officials with gifts like craft beers or chocolates from their home nations. It’s a very corrupt system, but if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!

At the end of the event, the “Nearly World Champ” is crowned with a jersey and a trophy, and everyone immediately starts discussing their plans to (bribe), I mean train their way to the top next year.

Serk is a brand that believes in doing things properly. Their attitude, events, and most importantly their bikes (like the new A40) are a testament to their passion.