Dolan DF3

At the 2009 World Track Cycling Championships in Poland, Lithuanian Simona Krupeckaite made history on her Dolan DF3 after she claimed the Gold Medal and Rainbow Jersey in the Women's 500m Time Trial with a new World Record time of 33.296s, a massive 0.3s faster than Anna Meares' 33.588s World Record from the 2007 Worlds in Mallorca.

We took a closer look at the Dolan DF3 to see what makes this possibly the fastest bike in the world.

After the huge success of the Frame's predecessor, the Dolan Arc (which is no longer available for purchase), Terry Dolan decided to develop the design further in order create the ultimate racing machine. Eighteen months later and the Dolan DF3 proudly sits on top of the Track Cycling World as the best Track Cycling frame on the market.

When riding the Dolan DF3 you feel at one with technology and shaving time off PBs becomes effortless. The rider will be filled with an immense sense of importance and superiority, you may not be an Olympic or World Champion but you certainly feel you have the ability to be one!

Following in-depth development work in a state of the art Wind Tunnels, studying direct performance gains through with high-profile International Riders and British Cycling's Sprint Coach Iain Dyer; any small issues that existed with the Arc were addressed meaning the Dolan DF3 finally became a reality last year.

At just 1690 grams (53cm Frame) the Dolan DF3 is incredibly light for a Track Frame; however what it lacks in weight it more than makes up for in strength as the Ultra hi-modulus UDP Carbon Fibre Monocoque frame boasts a beefier profile especially around the new aerodynamically improved front end.

The bottom bracket is also surrounded by more carbon fibre which makes the transmission stiffer meaning all the power you put into the bike to move it forward is not lost in the flexibility of the frame, unlike a lot of other frames on the market. This means nothing will stand in the way of performance gains, so all you have to do is supply the engine, because with the Dolan DF3 you can rest assured that you�ll be riding the ultimate in performance design.

Similar improvements involve the addition of the thicker Chainstays and the incredibly fast Wing Pista Forks which are stiffer and more aerodynamic than the previous models.

The DF3 also includes a Rounded Seat Post Clamping System to improve change and adjustment of standard sized Seat Posts; this is integrated into the flat Top Tube which due to research conducted in Wind-Tunnel testing is arguably more aerodynamic than traditional rounded tubing.

Cut-Outs in the Down Tube and Seat Tube allow for more clearance for Disc Wheels such as the Mavic Comete which also allows for wheels to be inserted closer to the frame, giving less drag further increasing the aerodynamic advantage

The Stainless-Steel Dropouts have been made thicker and stronger meaning they have increased durability for the countless gear changes that Track Cycling involves. Adjusters have also been added for perfect alignment of the wheels.

The frame is suitable for all types of riders, even the powerhouse sprinters who output in excess of 2000 Watts, which gives all riders confidence that the frame can cope with the stresses of the High Speeds and G-Forces that Track Cycling demands.

On paper each one of these improvements make the Dolan DF3 a far superior frame to others on the market and the countless World, Olympic and National medallists who ride the Dolan DF3 only reinforce this fact.