DareVelocity Ace (VA-AFO)
Taiwanese brand DARE's aero race bike, raced by Uno-X from May 2024 and launched that October. DARE developed the tube shapes with Swiss CFD specialists and wind-tunnel testing and claims the complete bike is 11.4 W faster than the VSRu it replaces. The frame uses Toray T1100G and M46X carbon, takes 32 mm tyres (manual) and electronic groupsets only, and comes with the one-piece V:C1 cockpit, V:P1 aero seatpost, aero bottle cages and CeramicSpeed SLT headset bearings.
- From
- €5,699$6,699€5,699
- Builds
- 2
- Sizes
- 6
- Frame weight
- 938 g33.1 oz
Design sketch, generated from the manufacturer's photo
Our verdict
Overall
out of 100, average of 7 categories
A Tour de France-raced aero bike with strong aero claims and a broad range of one-piece cockpit sizes, offered as a frameset or a single Ultegra Di2 build with 60 mm carbon wheels and a power meter. The catch: press-fit bottom bracket, electronic shifting only, several DARE-specific parts and patchy dealer coverage.
Scored Oct 2026
- + Aero-first design
- + Wide fit adjustment
- + Premium frame
AI-drafted from the specs on this page and reviewed before publishing. Scores are relative to every bike in the catalog when they were given, so they drop as newer bikes and parts raise the bar.
- Aero
- 92/100
- Frame
- 84/100
- Components
- 80/100
- Fit
- 86/100
- Practicality
- 60/100
- Price
- 82/100
- Weight
- 80/100
Aero claims and front-end integration
Carbon grade, weight and warranty
Groupset, wheels and power meter
Sizes and adjustment range
Travel, standard parts, servicing
From the cheapest complete-bike MSRP
From the lightest claimed weight (7.8 kg, size M)
Bike duel
Reviews
1 independent review of the Dare Velocity Ace (VA-AFO).
- ▶ VideoTested: S8In Spanish
Frame & platform
Frame & fork
- Frame material
- Carbon (DARE DGTM with Toray T1100G and M46X)
- Fork material
- Carbon (DARE DGTM with Toray T1100G and M46X), tapered 1-1/8 to 1-1/2 in steerer
- Frame weight
- 938 g33.1 oz
- Fork weight
- 446 g15.7 oz
- Weight measured on
- Frame size M raw (plus 152 g of frame parts) and fork raw (plus 5 g), from the assembly manual. The website gives 1,043 ± 80 g for a size S frame without aluminium parts.
- Frame sizes
- 2XS, XS, S, M, L, XL
- Colours
- Swift White (S8 complete), Swift Black (frameset) and MYDARE custom paint; limited Silver Lightning and Horizon Blue framesets sold out
- UCI frame approval
- Approved 28 Nov 2023 as 'VA' (frame and fork), sizes XXS-XL (6), code DARE-VA (UCI list version 2026.10.02)
Compatibility & standards
- Brake type
- Hydraulic disc, flat mount
- Max rotor size
- 160 mm
- Wheel size
- 700c
- Max tire width
- 32 mm
- Bottom bracket standard
- Press Fit 86.5 (41 mm inner diameter)
- Front axle
- 12x100 thru-axle (DARE 12x116 mm, P1.5)
- Rear axle
- 12x142 thru-axle (DARE 12x162 mm, P1.5)
- Drivetrain compatibility
- Electronic only: Shimano Di2 (R9270, R8170, R7170) and SRAM eTap AXS
- Mechanical shifting possible
- No
- Max chainring
- 54T
- Front derailleur mount
- Removable mount; standard mount for 46-54T big rings, a larger mount (sold separately) for 52-58T
- Cable routing
- Fully internal; brake hoses enter in front of the headset
Fit & adjustability
- Cockpit
- One-piece carbon bar and stem (DARE V:C1); a traditional stem and handlebar is also offered
- Standard stem and bar possible
- Yes
- Seatpost type
- DARE V:P1 carbon kammtail aero seatpost (250, 300 or 350 mm), 30 mm saddle position adjustment
- Fit notes
- Six sizes with a linear stack/reach progression. The V:C1 comes in 12 regular sizes from 90x340 to 120x420 mm, with 130-150 mm stems to order; alternatively DARE fits a separate stem (80-130 mm, six lengths) and bar (38-44 cm). Online buyers can swap the stem for another size free within a month of delivery.
Aerodynamics
- Manufacturer aero claims
- 11.4 W faster than the previous VSRu in DARE's final pre-season tests under similar conditions. DARE says Germany's GST aero lab certified it as the lowest-drag bike of the 2024 season, and that its aero bottle cages save another 0.6 W.
- Testing method
- Tube shapes simulated in CFD with Swiss experts, then refined in wind-tunnel tests (GST, Germany)
Travel, maintenance & warranty
- Headset bearings
- CeramicSpeed SLT, 40x52x7 mm, 45°x45°
- Derailleur hanger
- DARE VA-AFO hangers: a standard hanger (SRAM) and a direct-mount hanger (Shimano)
- Proprietary parts
- V:C1 cockpit and spacers, V:P1 seatpost, thru-axles, derailleur hangers, aero bottle cages
- Frame warranty
- Frame and fork 3 years, or 6 years when registered online within 15 days of purchase; handlebar, stem and seatpost 1 year; first registrant only, for bikes bought from authorized dealers
- Sold via
- Through DARE retailers (about 20 countries in Asia, Europe and Australia)
Photos
Design sketches
Builds & components
Highlighted rows differ between builds. Green marks the best value.
VA-AFO S8 | VA-AFO frameset | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Price (MSRP) | €5,699$6,699€5,699 | $5,200$5,200$5,200 |
| Weight | 7.8 kg17.2 lb | — |
| Weight measured on size | M | — |
| Type | Complete bike | Frameset |
| Notes | Swift White only. DARE's weight is for size M with the computer mount, without bottle cages and pedals. Stem/bar size and crank length are set by frame size. | Frame, fork, V:C1 one-piece cockpit, V:P1 seatpost, V:B1 and V:B2 aero bottle cages and CeramicSpeed SLT headset bearings. The USD 5,200 retail price (NTD 168,000) for Swift Black is from DARE's October 2024 launch post; the current product page shows no frameset price. MYDARE custom paint is also available. The limited Silver Lightning frameset was USD 5,580 (50 made, now sold out). TOUR reported US$5,200-5,800 for framesets at launch. |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Groupset | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 | — |
| Launched | 2021 · current generation | — |
| Speeds | 12-speed | — |
| Electronic | Yes | — |
| Drivetrain | 2x | — |
| Battery | Shimano BT-DN300 internal battery | — |
| Shifters | Shimano Ultegra Di2 ST-R8170 | — |
| Crankset | Shimano Ultegra R8100 | — |
| Chainrings | 52/36 | — |
| Crank lengths available | 165 mm (2XS-XS), 170 mm (S-M), 172.5 mm (L-XL) | — |
| Power meter | 4iiii Precision 3+ | — |
| Launched | 2024 · current generation | — |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano SM-BB72 | — |
| Standard | Press Fit BB86.5 | — |
| Front derailleur | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150 | — |
| Rear derailleur | Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8150 | — |
| Cassette | Shimano Ultegra R8101 | — |
| Range | 11-34 | — |
| Speeds | 12-speed | — |
| Chain | Shimano CN-M8100 | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Brake calipers | Shimano Ultegra BR-R8170 | — |
| Rotors | Shimano RT-CL800 | — |
| Front rotor | 160 mm | — |
| Rear rotor | 140 mm | — |
| Mount | Center Lock | — |
| Wheels & tires | ||
| Wheelset | Shimano Ultegra C60 R8170 | — |
| Front rim depth | 60 mm | — |
| Rear rim depth | 60 mm | — |
| Internal rim width | 21 mm | — |
| Material | Carbon | — |
| Tubeless ready | Yes | — |
| Hubs | Cup-and-cone bearings | — |
| Tires | Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT TR | — |
| Tire width | 28 mm | — |
| Cockpit | ||
| Handlebar | DARE V:C1 | DARE V:C1 |
| Type | One-piece bar and stem | One-piece bar and stem |
| Integrated stem | Yes | Yes |
| Widths available | 340-420 mm with 90-120 mm stem (regular sizes); 130-150 mm stems in 360-420 mm to order | 340-420 mm with 90-120 mm stem (regular sizes); 130-150 mm stems in 360-420 mm to order |
| Bar reach | 80 mm | 80 mm |
| Bar drop | 134 mm | 134 mm |
| Flare | 3° | 3° |
| Tops | Flattened aero tops | Flattened aero tops |
| Cable routing | Internal | Internal |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon |
| Weight | 350 g12.3 oz | 350 g12.3 oz |
| Notes | -6° stem angle; weight for the 105 mm x 400 mm size | -6° stem angle; weight for the 105 mm x 400 mm size |
| Headset | CeramicSpeed SLT | CeramicSpeed SLT |
| Saddle & seatpost | ||
| Saddle | Selle Italia SLR Boost Evo | — |
| Rails | Manganese | — |
| Seatpost | DARE V:P1 | DARE V:P1 |
| Saddle position range | 30 mm saddle position adjustment | 30 mm saddle position adjustment |
| Material | Carbon | Carbon |
| Weight | 215 g7.6 oz | 215 g7.6 oz |
| Bar tape | DARE Black tattoo leather touch | — |
| Included extras | ||
| Pedals | None included | — |
| Bottle cages | DARE V:B1 / V:B2 aero | DARE V:B1 / V:B2 aero |
Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) price & value
Where it's cheapest
MSRPs converted at ECB reference rates of 2026-10-05 (1 EUR = 1.1204 USD = 0.8472 GBP). US prices exclude sales tax, so add your state's rate before comparing.
| Build | Market | MSRP | In EUR | vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA-AFO S8 | Europe (EUR, incl. VAT) | €5,699 | €5,699 | cheapest |
| USA (USD, excl. sales tax) | $6,699 | €5,979 | +5% |
Building up the VA-AFO frameset
Included: Bottle cages, Handlebar, Headset, Seatpost.
Still to buy: Groupset, Crankset, Cassette, Chain, Brake calipers, Wheelset, Tires, Saddle, Pedals.
Aero tests
Tests that measured the Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) against other bikes under the same conditions. Lower is faster.
Wind tunnel tested: 12 aero bikes (Cyclingnews Labs)
Cyclingnews, 2025-09 (1 year ago) · Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub wind tunnel, UK · 40 km/h · yaw -15° to +15° in 5° steps (7 angles), weighted average using Nathan Barry's 2018 real-world yaw distribution
| # | Bike | CdA | Gap to fastest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cervélo S5SRAM Red AXS XPLR 1x | 0.3318 m² | fastest |
| 2 | Factor PrototypePre-production UCI-legal prototype | 0.3319 m² | +0.0001 m² |
| 3 | Colnago Y1Rs | 0.3363 m² | +0.0045 m² |
| 4 | DARE Velocity Ace-AFO | 0.3387 m² | +0.0069 m² |
| 5 | Ridley Noah Fast 3.0Shimano Ultegra Di2 | 0.3393 m² | +0.0075 m² |
| 6 | Van Rysel RCR-FShimano Dura-Ace Di2 | 0.3404 m² | +0.0086 m² |
| 7 | Cube Litening Aero C:68XShimano Ultegra Di2 | 0.3406 m² | +0.0088 m² |
| 8 | Elves Falath EXP | 0.3407 m² | +0.0089 m² |
| 9 | Argon 18 Nitrogen Pro (prototype)Pre-production prototype | 0.3410 m² | +0.0092 m² |
| 10 | Scott Foil RCFoil RC Pro spec, Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 | 0.3421 m² | +0.0103 m² |
| 11 | Merida Reacto 9000Previous-generation Reacto, Ultegra Di2 | 0.3425 m² | +0.0107 m² |
| 12 | Bianchi Oltre RC | 0.3466 m² | +0.0148 m² |
| 13 | Trek Emonda ALR (2015)Baseline: rim brakes, shallow wheels, external cables | 0.3653 m² | +0.0335 m² |
Ownership checklist
1 of 4 known checks pass. Why these checks
- ✕
Threaded bottom bracket
Press Fit 86.5 (41 mm inner diameter)
- ✕
UDH derailleur hanger
DARE VA-AFO hangers: a standard hanger (SRAM) and a direct-mount hanger (Shimano)
- ✓
Standard 12×142 mm rear axle
12x142 thru-axle (DARE 12x162 mm, P1.5)
- ✕
Works with mechanical shifting
Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) geometry
| 2XS | XS | S | M | L | XL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rider height min | 158 cm5′2″ | 164 cm5′5″ | 170 cm5′7″ | 175 cm5′9″ | 182 cm6′0″ | 186 cm6′1″ |
| Rider height max | 168 cm5′6″ | 174 cm5′9″ | 180 cm5′11″ | 185 cm6′1″ | 192 cm6′4″ | 200 cm6′7″ |
| Stack | 480 mm18.9″ | 500 mm19.7″ | 520 mm20.5″ | 541 mm21.3″ | 561 mm22.1″ | 580 mm22.8″ |
| Reach | 372 mm14.6″ | 383 mm15.1″ | 395 mm15.6″ | 407 mm16″ | 419 mm16.5″ | 431 mm17″ |
| Seat tube angle | 74° | 74° | 74° | 74° | 74° | 74° |
| Head tube angle | 71° | 71.5° | 72° | 72° | 72.5° | 72.5° |
| Head tube length | 77 mm3″ | 96 mm3.8″ | 117 mm4.6″ | 138 mm5.4″ | 161 mm6.3″ | 181 mm7.1″ |
| Effective top tube | 507 mm20″ | 519 mm20.4″ | 544 mm21.4″ | 562 mm22.1″ | 580 mm22.8″ | 598 mm23.5″ |
| Seat tube length | 480 mm18.9″ | 500 mm19.7″ | 520 mm20.5″ | 540 mm21.3″ | 560 mm22″ | 580 mm22.8″ |
| Chainstay | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ | 410 mm16.1″ |
| Wheelbase | 967 mm38.1″ | 982 mm38.7″ | 997 mm39.3″ | 1,015 mm40″ | 1,030 mm40.6″ | 1,048 mm41.3″ |
| BB drop | 75 mm3″ | 75 mm3″ | 73 mm2.9″ | 73 mm2.9″ | 70 mm2.8″ | 70 mm2.8″ |
| Fork length | 369 mm14.5″ | 369 mm14.5″ | 370 mm14.6″ | 370 mm14.6″ | 370 mm14.6″ | 370 mm14.6″ |
| Standover | 730 mm28.7″ | 749 mm29.5″ | 770 mm30.3″ | 790 mm31.1″ | 812 mm32″ | 831 mm32.7″ |
| Wheel size | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c | 700c |
| Crank length | 165 mm6.5″ | 165 mm6.5″ | 170 mm6.7″ | 170 mm6.7″ | 172.5 mm6.8″ | 172.5 mm6.8″ |
| Stem length | 90 mm3.5″ | 90 mm3.5″ | 100 mm3.9″ | 100 mm3.9″ | 110 mm4.3″ | 120 mm4.7″ |
| Handlebar width | 340 mm13.4″ | 360 mm14.2″ | 380 mm15″ | 400 mm15.7″ | 400 mm15.7″ | 420 mm16.5″ |
Side view
Drawn to scale (how to read it).
How the geometry rides
The Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) in size S against the middle size of 65 other bikes: tendencies from geometry, not a ride review (how to read this).
- Wheelbase997 mm39.3″
shortestlonger than 98% of 65 bikeslongest
Long wheelbase: tends to track straight and feel calm at speed.
- Chainstay410 mm16.1″
shortestlonger than 63% of 73 bikeslongest
Good to know
Aerodynamics
TOUR reported DARE's claim that the frameset is 4.7 W faster than top aero bikes from rival brands, measured in the GST wind tunnel at 45 km/h across -20° to +20° yaw.
SourceAerodynamics
DARE reports that in Cyclingnews' 2025 wind-tunnel test at Silverstone the VA-AFO frameset needed 63.48 W at 40 km/h, third of 12 bikes and about 2 W behind the fastest.
SourceCompatibility
Big rings of 46-54T (2x) fit the standard front derailleur mount, 52-58T with the larger mount sold separately. Minimum small ring 30T (36T with the large mount). Rotors 140 or 160 mm with adapter. Minimum seatpost insertion is 90 mm.
SourceCompatibility
Sources disagree on tyre clearance: the assembly manual and the bike page say 32 mm, while the geometry table and the S8 specification list 30 mm.
SourceHistory
Uno-X switched to the VA-AFO in May 2024 and raced it at that year's Tour de France before DARE launched it on 15 October 2024. It replaced the VSRu as DARE's aero bike.
SourceVersions
Since January 2026 DARE sells a VA-AFO Tri Set: the V:C2 cockpit, which takes Profile Design ASC Pro integrated aerobars (sold separately), and the V:P2 seatpost with a rear bottle mount and 45-75 mm forward offset.
Source
Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) FAQ
Is the Dare Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) UCI legal?+
Yes. The Dare Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) is UCI legal, so it can be raced in UCI-sanctioned road races.
How much does the Dare Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) cost?+
Manufacturer prices (MSRP): €5,699 / $5,200–$6,699 across 2 listed builds and framesets: VA-AFO S8 and VA-AFO frameset.
How much does the Dare Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) weigh?+
The lightest complete build listed (VA-AFO S8) weighs 7.8 kg (17.2 lb) in size M. The frame weighs 938 g (33.1 oz) (Frame size M raw (plus 152 g of frame parts) and fork raw (plus 5 g), from the assembly manual. The website gives 1,043 ± 80 g for a size S frame without aluminium parts.).
What sizes does the Dare Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) come in?+
6 sizes: 2XS, XS, S, M, L and XL. The manufacturer recommends them for riders from 158 cm (5′2″) to 200 cm (6′7″).
What is the tire clearance of the Dare Velocity Ace (VA-AFO)?+
Up to 32 mm tires on 700c wheels.
Which groupsets are compatible with the Dare Velocity Ace (VA-AFO)?+
Drivetrain compatibility: Electronic only: Shimano Di2 (R9270, R8170, R7170) and SRAM eTap AXS. Mechanical groupsets are not supported. The largest chainring that fits is 54T. Bottom bracket: Press Fit 86.5 (41 mm inner diameter).
What builds of the Dare Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) are available?+
VA-AFO S8: Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100.
What warranty does the Dare Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) frame have?+
Frame and fork 3 years, or 6 years when registered online within 15 days of purchase; handlebar, stem and seatpost 1 year; first registrant only, for bikes bought from authorized dealers
Is the Dare Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) aerodynamic?+
11.4 W faster than the previous VSRu in DARE's final pre-season tests under similar conditions. DARE says Germany's GST aero lab certified it as the lowest-drag bike of the 2024 season, and that its aero bottle cages save another 0.6 W. (Tube shapes simulated in CFD with Swiss experts, then refined in wind-tunnel tests (GST, Germany))
Sources
- https://www.dare-bikes.com/en/va-afo/design
- https://www.dare-bikes.com/en/va-afo/bikes/s8
- https://www.dare-bikes.com/en/news/96
- https://cdn.dare-bikes.com/images/downloads/VA-AFO%20Assembly%20Manual_EN_V2_1755569399.pdf
- https://www.dare-bikes.com/api/bike/16/programs?type=F
- https://www.dare-bikes.com/api/bike/colors?id=16
- https://www.dare-bikes.com/en/bikes/afo
- https://www.dare-bikes.com/en/policy
- https://www.dare-bikes.com/en/faq
- https://www.dare-bikes.com/en/news/110
- https://www.dare-bikes.com/en/news/113
- https://assets.ctfassets.net/761l7gh5x5an/7jA9krKzzy3lRXPzlm4uyn/7982d7114b9d62978cb87876ea476535/58780c70-6247-4448-8384-b145fa30aba9.pdf
- https://www.tour-magazin.de/en/aero-road-bike/record-breaking-speed-dare-officially-unveils-new-aero-racer/
- https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/wind-tunnel-tested-12-aero-bikes-2025/
Dare Velocity Ace (VA-AFO) data last updated · How the data is checked ·