One look at the Seven Cycles IMX and you know this isn�t your standard mountain bike. Sleek titanium melds into carbon fiber graced by an artistic weave. If you�re thinking this is more art than bike, you�re only partially right.


Like all good artists, Seven Cycles backs up its artistry with well thought-out design and understanding of the medium, all combined for one ultimate goal. In this case, of course, the main objective is that bike you�ve always dreamed of.


Using a blend of titanium and carbon fiber tubes is not new for Seven. The company has used carbon fiber for its top tubes and seat tubes for some road bike models since 1997. A carbon fiber top tube adds a measure of stiffness to the titanium to translate any motion forward and give it quicker handling. Added to the seat tube, carbon fiber boosts the compliance characteristics of the titanium in the vertical plane; that�s more rear-end comfort to you and me.


Seven realized that using a ti/carbon tube combo in mountain bikes would impart two main benefits to the bike. First, lighter carbon fiber would drop the frame weight. In fact, the IMX weighs 10 percent less than the company�s top selling all-ti Sola mountain bike. And second, keeping titanium in the places most vulnerable to frame-seeking rock missiles makes the bike more impact resistant. That�s peace of mind for hammerheads pounding down a loose, rocky trail.


The next question is how it rides—a bit that depends entirely on you, and I don�t mean your riding style. Except for stock sized in its Signature Size program, Seven relies almost entirely on custom builds. There is no standard inseam, arm-length, or quick bike fit custom program, although it is relatively quick. Seven has a 12-page Custom Kit explaining its custom program and asking you 100 questions, covering not only your body measurements, but also how you ride, what you ride (and all those measurements), where you ride and what hurts and feels good when you ride.


Your own riding preferences funnel directly into Seven�s frame design for you. For example, a stiff drive train maximizes power transfer from your legs to the rear wheel, perfect for someone wanting instant speed. But a less stiff drive train gives you a lighter frame weight. Which do you prefer? I think you know. After you finish the Custom Kit with your local retailer (in addition to choosing components, frame accessories cable routing options and paint color design), Seven�s designers then work out the frame angles, tube sizes, thickness and lengths to fit your preferences. All told, the process of working with your retailer on the Custom Kit and with Seven up to the final frame design takes 12 days. Production time is typically two to four weeks.


Frame Weight: 3.1 lbs.