Thinking of a mid range "special" bike... Gravel?
Discussion
It's arrived!
Unfortunately, my bib shorts haven't... Bugger.
Utterly in love, in every way so far - especially the service and comms from the guys at Enigma.
Pics are from Enigma - my garden is an utter state at the moment! It looks very 'classic' built up for me, as I've stumpy little legs so really not much seat post showing. I've also slammed the stem (long, flexible upper body, and the stack height is far from racy) - but will wait for proper bikefit once Enigma open back up before making anything permanent.
Unfortunately, my bib shorts haven't... Bugger.
Utterly in love, in every way so far - especially the service and comms from the guys at Enigma.
Pics are from Enigma - my garden is an utter state at the moment! It looks very 'classic' built up for me, as I've stumpy little legs so really not much seat post showing. I've also slammed the stem (long, flexible upper body, and the stack height is far from racy) - but will wait for proper bikefit once Enigma open back up before making anything permanent.
Ilovejapcrap said:
I’m gonna ask something now and everyone is going to think I’m mental.
Has anyone every made something like this and fitted a dropper post set up. I know seems odd as it’s to drop out of the way when going down a hill.
But I seem to find I use the one on my mountain bike more like an adjustable seat. I often find myself moving it on a journey just to alter my position when I get back or b
k pain.
Yeah, there's a few. Mine is much more road focused, I've got barely any seatpost showing! Certainly not a "compact" frame. If I were more gravel/off road focused I'd have gone for something with more tyre clearance and possibly a dropper. Some modify the left shifter of a 2x groupset to actuate the dropper. Has anyone every made something like this and fitted a dropper post set up. I know seems odd as it’s to drop out of the way when going down a hill.
But I seem to find I use the one on my mountain bike more like an adjustable seat. I often find myself moving it on a journey just to alter my position when I get back or b
k pain.Nice!
Waiting for some bib shorts to arrive - I'm way out of gooch conditioning, and it's far too warm for tights.
Took it out for a couple of mile run yesterday just to make sure it was all assembled properly and to bed in the brakes. Feels awesome.
Hoping shorts arrive today, then I've a 20 mile route mostly via sustrans that's a nice mix of surface to really find out how it performs.
Waiting for some bib shorts to arrive - I'm way out of gooch conditioning, and it's far too warm for tights.
Took it out for a couple of mile run yesterday just to make sure it was all assembled properly and to bed in the brakes. Feels awesome.
Hoping shorts arrive today, then I've a 20 mile route mostly via sustrans that's a nice mix of surface to really find out how it performs.
Powgoff - nice dilemma!
My thinking:
Dodged a bullet in my view regarding Reilly.
Ribble CGR Ti looks great - it really appealed. Couple of things put me off - the configurator was a bit weird with GRX, and after speaking with them (at the time) I couldn't get the exact kit I wanted (especially wheels). Also, the dropped seat stays look great but worry me longer term.
Asia sourced - yep, they'll all be at this price. However, by going with Enigma there's a part of me thinking it helps support the wider business and maintain high end frame building (I'm sure the margins are greater on the 'core' bikes). Also, the service from Enigma has been utterly superb - that's worth a lot to me.
Have a real good think about your use too - I too started via Gradient/Escape, but ended up with Etape. For my use (towpaths, 'prepared' gravel routes, road) 700x35c at low pressures has been plenty.
Gravel frames run a whole spectrum from drop bar hardtail mtb through to light audax. I can't help but think most owners could probably err towards the audax side and not regret it (whilst benefitting from lighter bike, faster on road, better long distance riding position, etc.).
Oh, and I thought it'd be a 'frame for life' - my voucher is paid up in a month or two, and I'm damn tempted by a Sussex frameset... Really want it built for wireless shimano groupset though (so only brake routing), which feels a few years away!
My thinking:
Dodged a bullet in my view regarding Reilly.
Ribble CGR Ti looks great - it really appealed. Couple of things put me off - the configurator was a bit weird with GRX, and after speaking with them (at the time) I couldn't get the exact kit I wanted (especially wheels). Also, the dropped seat stays look great but worry me longer term.
Asia sourced - yep, they'll all be at this price. However, by going with Enigma there's a part of me thinking it helps support the wider business and maintain high end frame building (I'm sure the margins are greater on the 'core' bikes). Also, the service from Enigma has been utterly superb - that's worth a lot to me.
Have a real good think about your use too - I too started via Gradient/Escape, but ended up with Etape. For my use (towpaths, 'prepared' gravel routes, road) 700x35c at low pressures has been plenty.
Gravel frames run a whole spectrum from drop bar hardtail mtb through to light audax. I can't help but think most owners could probably err towards the audax side and not regret it (whilst benefitting from lighter bike, faster on road, better long distance riding position, etc.).
Oh, and I thought it'd be a 'frame for life' - my voucher is paid up in a month or two, and I'm damn tempted by a Sussex frameset... Really want it built for wireless shimano groupset though (so only brake routing), which feels a few years away!
powgoff said:
Thanks for the responses - I'll add the ATR to the list for consideration
The question between the Escape and the Etape is a good one - I use my current cx for trails (the Downslink is on our doorstep) but also for rougher tracks locally and also the KAW ( although next time I'll use my hardtail) / have used it for touring duties (c2c and the Avenue Verte to Paris) and intend to do some bike packing in futire - think the Escape would still be the answer - a mate has an Etape and I wouldn't expect he would choose it for the much of the duties I would use the bike for
If you're doing trails/Downslink, then absolutely the Escape (or equivalent 'proper gravel'). Nothing stopping you swapping tyres for some 32/35s for road biased stuff - or maybe the dual wheel option with 700c for road and 650b for rough stuff. The question between the Escape and the Etape is a good one - I use my current cx for trails (the Downslink is on our doorstep) but also for rougher tracks locally and also the KAW ( although next time I'll use my hardtail) / have used it for touring duties (c2c and the Avenue Verte to Paris) and intend to do some bike packing in futire - think the Escape would still be the answer - a mate has an Etape and I wouldn't expect he would choose it for the much of the duties I would use the bike for
RoamingBull said:
Hmmm looking for a more road biased GB!!
Any suggestions as I like to cycle along the bridleways but still want a bit of pace when on the road?.
Did have a look at the Reilly Spectre but saw a comment re dodged a bullet any reasons why?
Fairly flexible on price and want a spare set of wheels for the road.
If you read through the thread, you'll see that the contact from Reilly just plunged off a cliff - actually causing me a fair bit of admin to get the C2W voucher transferred over to Enigma. Didn't feel me with confidence at all. Any suggestions as I like to cycle along the bridleways but still want a bit of pace when on the road?.
Did have a look at the Reilly Spectre but saw a comment re dodged a bullet any reasons why?
Fairly flexible on price and want a spare set of wheels for the road.
In comparison, the guys at Enigma have been superb. Since been over to them for a proper fit and look around the workshop.
If you're thinking Spectre, I'd have a look at the Etape like mine - same clearances, to my kind the Enigma is the prettier frameset.
C2W voucher is paid up fairly soon - it'll be a wheel and finishing kit upgrade (the new Zipp carbon gravel wheels, new stem/post/bar). I'll get the Hope hubs rebuilt onto 650b wheels - don't think I'll be able to run big tyres, but better ones for rougher/muddier stuff.
RoamingBull said:
Sent a few emails to Reilly and had very little response bar from a couple on sentences. Seems to be the norm as posted.
So Enigma or any other brand I should be looking at? 3-4k to spend on a bike I can get a move on the road plus take on the gravel and bridleways in the Lincs wolds.
Enigma - Jim and the guys will sort you out a great bike for that (equivalent to mine - Asian frame, Ultegra level mechanical, plenty of Hope bling including nice wheels). Either Escape or Etape depending on your likely road/gravel split. So Enigma or any other brand I should be looking at? 3-4k to spend on a bike I can get a move on the road plus take on the gravel and bridleways in the Lincs wolds.
Ribble/et al - you'll get a similar quality Asian frame, probably electronic group but likely less nice finishing kit.
If you're happy with other materials - well Mason will do you a gorgeous aluminium framed Bokeh or Enigma (and I'm sure plenty of others) could provide a sweet UK made steel framed bike...
Edited by Sway on Friday 5th March 11:03
upsidedownmark said:
Mason also do ti versions (not sure if the price is within budget).
Also perhaps Laverack. I rather fancied one of theirs, and was looking at them in the same category as engima. Don't recall exact prices.
Unfortunately, Mason Ti is mega dosh (equal to Enigma bespoke). Also perhaps Laverack. I rather fancied one of theirs, and was looking at them in the same category as engima. Don't recall exact prices.
Laverack is also about £3-500 more than Enigma iirc.
In terms of pricing of Ti frames, it seems to be:
"Big sheds" (Kinesis, Ribble, etc.)
Add £300
Reilly (Asian)
Add £200
Enigma (Asian)
Add £300
Laverack (and a couple of others I can't remember)
Add "some"
Mason (Asian)/Enigma et al (UK bespoke)/US producers
Dnlm said:
Yup, just gorgeous. From £8k though!
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