Referring to the Colombian climbers as Escarabajos (beetles) began when famous sports announcer Carlos Arthur Wheel in the 1953 Vuelta a Colombia referred to cyclist Ramón Hoyos as a “escarabajo de las montañas”. A year later the Mexican Sports Daily Esto headline for the Vuelta a México read “Llegan Los ‘escarabajos’” (the beetles have arrived) and the term stuck.

As would be expected from Rapha the design is tastefully done with the Cafe de Colombia logo reworked with the image of a beetle and the colors of the Colombian flag wrapping the jersey. According to Rapha the jersey is constructed of 3 proprietary technical fabrics specially designed for hot summer temperatures.

More info on the history of Los Escarabajos Colombianos (in Spanish) and pics at this link: ESCARABAJOS DE DOS RUEDAS

Rapha Colombian Super-Lightweight Jersey

First I’ve seen Campagnolo “sheriff star” hubs in black with these graphics. Ebay auction ends May 08, 201210:38:05 PDT

Note: I don’t know the seller.

CNC artistry: Extralite QRC2 crank arm. http://www.extralite.com/ - photograph © 2012, Henry Graber, All Rights Reserved.

Compared to the REGALe the new Concor has more rise in the rear giving it a more pronounced wave, a bit more clearance for thighs and a narrower rear perch. Side view shows REGALe in foreground and top view has Concor in foreground.

Mavic SSC Brake, photograph © 2012, Henry Graber, All Rights Reserved.