Then they went AWOL and I saw them being resurrected in 2020 and 2021. I reached out and they remembered - we quickly agreed that it seems fun to have the steel frame raced, pushed hard and they were keen to hear feedback from the action.
The frame
Columbus HSS tubing with T47 bottom bracket. Fork is Columbs Futura disc. All cables are run externally from the stem to the junction port at the top of the down tube - rear mech is a full bowden. The seatpost is 31,6mm and fit is reasonably aggressive.
The finish is just spectacular and the details are so well thought out. Rear mech hanger - aluminum, but the aerospace grade is super-stiff - shifting is just incredible. No rattling is just amazing. Obviously, you got to choose a custom color if you pay a little extra.
I had never ridden a steel frame before. I was expecting a noodle, a comfy noodle. This is as far from it as possible. It still has the magic ability to limit the buzz from cracks in the tarmac, to mute the texture. But the ride is very firm and the frame just urges you to push harder. And the faster you go, the better it feels. The response when you start to push at speed is amazing - the snap is not there, but it is like the invisible force pushes you forward. But be aware - this is no endurance frame and potholes feel bad
Where the bike excels is flat. We discuss this with Robin and Mikulas frequently, we agreed that it is a sensation that a lot of riders feel, but quite hard to give a reasonable explanation. Repete just flies - you push, build the momentum and it holds. A gust of wind, small inclines - nothing bothers you. Super easy to keep up the speed and push against the wind.
Climbing is... Well, the weight is obviously bad. But you can use the gravity in your favor - just forget about quick acceleration on 6-7°gradient. You stay calm and when the incline straightens - you push and use momentum to build up a speed. It doesn't feel bad when climbing, you just need to adjust a little. But the bike is obviously not nimble and the feel of sharp acceleration is quite muted. This spec is around 9.0-9.1kg.
The Build
I wanted mechanical, disc brakes were obvious choice - the frame is not available as rim brake option. Since I cannot withstand mechanical Shimano or SRAM, this was very simple. Wheels needed to be Campagnolo and Bora WTO is just stunning and 60 profile was a no brainer - weight penalty negligible and I consider myself a good bike handler to handle this depth as everyday wheels.
The rest are just things proven by the time. The saddle is Fizik Volta R1 (bought from eBay - only thing non negotiable I told them) and handlebars is classic 3T Rotundo in 40cm width. Deda Zero2 stem in 130 and I replaced the headset with Cane Creek Slamset. Chainset is 53/39 paired with 11-29. Discs are both 160mm.
