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U.S. Built Bicycles in Titanium and Carbon-Titanium Mix

Going Fast

Axiom SL side view

In the last few weeks, we’ve talked about Going Up, the process of designing a climbing bike, and Going Far, the things that go into a long distance bike, which might be a century bike, a touring bike or might be a full-blown randonneuring machine. This week we turn our attention to race bikes.

The bike industry has traditionally worked backwards from race bikes to fill shop floors with race look-alikes for everyday riders who will never turn a crank in anger. What is good for the pros, so the logic goes, must be good for you, too, and for some very small number of non-pro riders, that could be true.

As with all our bikes, we start with the purpose of the bike and work forward. Going fast requires being able to sit in a comfortable, aerodynamic position, to be able to handle your bike in tight spaces, and to get good power transfer through the rear triangle.

As custom builders, getting to that perfect position is a given. We can replicate exact saddle and grip positions from a bike fitting. We can dial in handling by adjusting headtube angle and fork rake to produce the exact characteristics the rider wants. We can adjust the stiffness of the rear triangle by selecting specific diameter chainstays, up to and including the 1″ stays we call “race stays.”

Our 622 SLX rivals all of today’s carbon race machines for weight and stiffness, but it incorporates more road feel and better comfort than those bike through its unique combination of laser-cut titanium lugs and filament-wound carbon tubing. Our all-Ti Axioms make great criterium bikes for their ability to absorb the heavy impacts of racing on imperfect pavement and the way they come through the occasional crash.

The technology of race bikes evolves quickly, and adapting to new component standards can be a challenge, but with a custom bike these things can be considered during the design phase to leave you with as many upgrade options as possible.

The thing is, bikes aren’t fast. Riders are fast. The best way for the rider to Go Fast is to design a bike around them that fits them perfectly, handles the way they want it to and transfers as much of their power as possible.

 

 

Seven at Syllamo’s Revenge

Syllamo’s Revenge is a 50 mile mountain bike race that takes place annually in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas. 50 miles is a long way to go on a mountain bike, but it’s even longer (not technically, but certainly effort-wise) when you’re racing single-speed as our friends Hart and Boomer were. They were 1st and 2nd place in the single-speed division, left and center in the photo below. We built both their bikes with our friends at Outdoors, Inc in Memphis.

Hart’s picture and words below:

The winners of Syllamo's Revenge

Seven team, 

I just returned to Memphis from north central Arkansas having completed “Syllamo’s Revenge” for the 7th year in a row.  This was the first year on a Seven as I took delivery in December from the good folks at Outdoors, Inc. Joel worked with you guys to get me setup on the perfect rig, and keeps it running smoothly and reliably. The conditions were great and I finished 2nd overall and 1st single-speed feeling tired but not nearly as beat up as in previous years. I credit the Custom Ti frame for the difference. I am very pleased. This is my third race on the bike and I am happy to report the Seven has put me on the top of the podium in each of the three. 

 Thank you guys for an awesome bike!!!

 Picture attached. (I’m in the center. Boomer also rides a Seven and is standing to my right.)

 Warmest Regards,

 Hart

John’s 622 SLX

Here’s a 622 SLX we built with our friends at Bean’s Bikes in Berwyn, PA. This Ti/carbon machine is finished with our Lug Deluxe paint scheme with a special “rattlesnake” finish on the carbon that shows a different color depending on the light and the angle you’re looking from. The decals are a custom Glitter Gold outline.

John's 622 SLX

Chris’s Evergreen SL

This is the kind of letter we love to get. Not only does Chris love his new bike, even more importantly he loves the type of riding his Evergreen SL is helping him discover. His photos and letter, below.

Evergreen near the sea

Hey guys,

The Evergreen worked out great. Since I got it in March, I’ve taken it to CA and cycled down Rt. 1 from Carmel to Cambria. This was a 10 day trip full of camping and kayak surfing with the family (my wife and 2 yr. were driving with the gear). I have never had such an amazing cycling adventure – the handling, speed, and ride quality of the Evergreen exceeded my expectations. Putting it together in a hotel room in Monterey was a trip! So great. Now I’m looking for routes for Evergreening my commute in Houston, TX. I’m surprised at what pops out once I start looking!

All the best and more to come,

Chris

 

Evergreen camping

the sea