Tested Bike, Seven Axiom SG — Road Magazine
September 2005
Frame and Fork
It's not often that you get to measure yourself [insert lame male joke here] in preparation for a full-custom road bike, but when Seven Cycles approached us to do so, we immediately jumped at the opportunity to get a fine titanium ride. With Seven, it's all about the process. Sure, the end result is a well-crafted bike, but getting to that endpoint is equally important. This is not a frame that Seven just pulls off-the-rack, but instead one that is made according to your measurements. The process is really quite easy. Point your browser to their website [or call them if you are still stuck in the 20th century], and navigate your way to the sizing area. Take some measurements of various appendages and send it in. Don't blink because a Seven Fit Specialist will call you shortly thereafter to verify your tally's and ask you some general riding questions to determine what type of frame would best suit your riding needs. Along with your physical measurements, they also ask for the brand of bike you currently ride, combine this with the aforementioned measurements and come up with a frame that suits your fancy. In conversation, we mentioned the Specialized Roubaix and Cannondale Six-13 Team Issue as the road rigs we were currently riding. With all the calculations in hand, Seven Cycles crafted a frame that was a cross between the two bikes, but with an emphasis on the personal measurements. Naturally other details include color [if you choose to paint], logo color, and component specification [unless you just want to pair it together with your own parts]. We decided to "pimp" it out with some parts we like and let Seven decide the rest!
The Axiom SG is Seven's most popular frame in the extensive lineup because it is both light weight and responsive making it great for club riding, group rides, centuries, and everything in between. The SG is Argen butted Ti tubing featuring the top quality, U.S.-sourced seamless 3-2.5 titanium and proprietary butting technology. The 5E molded carbon fork has fully-integrated crown and legs, was designed from the ground up by Seven, and comes in rakes ranging from 32mm to 56mm-more than any other fork-to ensure optimum handling.
On the Road
There is really nothing like the look of a brushed titanium frame. Our Axiom is tastefully accented with an understated red Seven logo along with the Axiom SG namesake on the toptube. Another cool detail is the Seven head badge, again understated and classy, and harkens back to the old days when badges were a piece of art.
The bike itself is outfitted with a bevy of Seven-made components that include the trick nickel-plated aluminum post clamp, a titanium headset spacer, the aluminum stem with the bolts reversed for, according to Seven, longer service life, a cold-forged aluminum seatpost, and the ergo, aluminum handlebars which have just the right reach to the brake levers.
One thing about titanium bikes is that you notice the stiffness right away. Ride out the parking lot and immediately you begin to feel the road, but to a point where it's comfortable, complete with a nice road hum. Right off, the Axiom SG had a nice stiffness when on the pedals. No hesitation could be had when accelerating, whether in the saddle or out. Sure, this can clearly be attributed to the stiffness, but let's not forget that the Axiom is dressed with some of the best components around, ranging from the always-solid Chorus group, to the easy rolling Reynolds Stratus clinchers. Overall comfort was on the top step of the podium with the made-to-fit frame coupled with the Arione saddle and incredibly comfortable bars [though ours was outfitted with tape that had zero padding, but it looked cool!]. On the flats, the Axiom was a rocket, surging without much effort, but it's real strength seemed to be when climbing. Bear in mind, this rig is not the lightest ride on the block, but the stiffness factor allowed us to climb in a gear or two lower on the rear cassette! On the descents, the Seven was no slouch either, though with our crosswinds, it got a bit "interesting" with the deep-sectioned wheels. The semi-compact geometry allowed the Axiom to stick corners without much braking. Much of this confidence rests with the sturdy construction, but the "sticky" Tufo's could take some of the credit.
