£2635-£3649 steel BIKES ROAD TEST Steel

yourselfAre premium steel bikes the ultimate retro renaissance ride or all show and no go? We test six iron alloy flagships from the timeless to the stainless and from racers to recreational all-rounders to find out Steve Behr Steve

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Mason Resolution Ultegra Genesis Volare £3399 Hydro £3195 Genesis is relatively new several seasons of pro race to the steel game but development and despite Mason might be a new Resolution. This frame’s built in few designers talk tubeset being the second cheapest brand but former Kinesis Italy but disc brakes, big tyre evolution with the passion bike on test here, it’s the only designer Dom has put all his clearances plus mudguard and and fanatical detail of brand one with a stainless steel experience and fresh ideas into rack fixtures potentially make manager Albert Steward. The tubeset and a Di2 electric the detailed, future-proofed this the ideal UK all-rounder. Volare is the direct result of shift groupset.

A steel ride can be a really enjoyable one, Condor Super Acciaio £3410 Enigma Elite HSS ST Union and lets you make a bold statement Legendary London shop The custom tubeset is Jack Ltd Ed £3649 Condor Cycles is another a masterpiece of multi-section brand that’s been developing metal manipulation and The Elite HSS ST translates plumbers Columbus. Anyone steel frames under its pro race Condor’s online builder allows all the company’s titanium who wants a responsive ride team for years and it shows in you to create exactly the bike building experience into a from their steel steed should the notably aggressive character you want from this beautifully triple-butted Spirit Niobium take note that Enigma’s cracked tubeset from Italian prestige the code on fast ferrous style. teel ruled supreme even the distinctive subtly sprung, of the new Super Acciaio frame. finished, UCI approved frame. for the first century of road-smoothing resilience of a YOUR TESTER ratings bike building before Guy Kesteven premium steel frame is very hard to explained S aluminium and then Tester distinguish from some softer carbon carbon fibre frames Guy learned to ride road frames, and we’re not ★★★★★ bikes when steel broke its grip. Now it’s in the midst of ruled the world and necessarily talking expensive carbon Exceptional a renaissance powered by riders who he’s tested every either. With the frames here costing A genuine class leader want to break the carbon mould. possible frame from between £1200-£2700 The stark truth is that even the material including economy isn’t a strong point either. ★★★★ a few he’s glad he’s most advanced steel frames cannot The ideal bike isn’t always about forgotten. Getting Very good compete with carbon ones in pure back onto a full set speed and value though, and when One of the best you can buy performance terms. Steel fabricators of steel bikes it’s done right steel interacts with can pick statistics to make it look raised a whole the road and rider in an inescapably ★★★ new set of comparable but even the lightest enjoyable way, gliding along with the questions for Guy Good steel frames are 50 per cent heavier and his ultra- warmth of a summer evening and It’ll do the job very well than the lightest carbon frames. If experienced effortlessly rolling a gear round like a Master X-Light Pegoretti Duende Ciavete you want to maintain the signature northern test crew. childhood hero. An experience that’s ★★ £3512 test bike build £2635 frame and fork smoothness steel is prized, but they about savouring each moment, not Below average won’t be as stiff or precise as a being a slave to post-ride uploads or An iconic bike from one of together with traditional lugged Whatever it said on the age of steel bikes. The legend’s composite frame. As a result Strava virtual leader boards. If you want to Flawed in some way the most storied brands in construction and semi-chromed frames endured and you’re looking at a performances we logged on these make an individual statement rather the world, and hand- stiletto forks and pencil stays was the brilliant Italian builder several month waiting list for ★ made in its Italian headquarters. has been setting the benchmark behind some of the most even the most affordable bikes were comparable to the £1000 than following the herd no other Poor A cross-section tubeset held for steel beauty for 30 years. successful riders in the golden Duende model. carbon ones we tested last issue. material attracts craftsmen builders If you take off your rose-tinted or lends itself to ostentatious artistry Simply put, don’t bother retro glasses and put on a blindfold like steel either.

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Below disc brakes with 140mm rotors keep the Mason under control Bottom MultiPort inserts make for neat internal cable routing

You still get the signature steel surge of speed like the turbo kicking in on a diesel car M ason Resolution Ultegra Hydro £3195 › Can the youngest bike here compete with classics?

ason is so young as plates for singlespeed or single-ring the ride confirms it’s genuinely a company that our running. Ironically these seemingly specification special. Granted, the weight of the Resolution sample tiny touches required the most Weight 9.16kg puncture-reinforced Gran Sport still wasn’t quite a intricate design and Italian hand- (54cm) Extra tyres is obvious in the first M Frame Mason perfect production building skill to get them to work few pedal strokes and there’s a bit Columbus Spirit/ example, but it throws down a new with the thin wall Columbus steel Life custom disc of bounce in those long rear stays, challenge to the steel status quo. tubing while still adding minimal Fork Mason but get the gear turning and you still The obvious difference with the weight. Slightly extended chainstays Aperture carbon get steel’s signature surge of speed Gears Shimano Resolution is the fact it’s disc brake and raised placement of the hooped Ultegra 6800 like the turbo kicking in on a diesel specific. The rear callipers bolt into seatstay bridge make the Resolution 50/34x11-28 car. Switching to lighter GP4000S II replaceable brass thread details compatible with full guards with the Brakes Shimano rubber released the potential of the 785 hydraulic disc, inside the kinked dropouts and the 28mm tyres fitted or up to 32mm 140mm rotors Resolution to punch up the steeper hydraulic hoses vanish into down- tyres without guards. Wheels Mason sections of our Dales test loops and/ tube and fork leg to keep lines clean. At this point you’d be forgiven Hunt 4 Season disc or roll a big ratio over the summit. Finishing kit Deda Mason’s unique MultiPort alloy for thinking the Resolution is just Zero2 and bar, Don’t get hung up on the overall inserts give equally neat internal a particularly neatly designed Continental wheel weight either as that includes routing of full outer, split outer or utility/light touring bike with Grand Sport Extra the weight of the 140mm Shimano 28mm tyres electric cable runs or plain blanking plenty of existing parallels but Centerlock rotors.

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The custom Columbus tube mix screens out chatter and stutter from rough surfaces

HIGHS Beautiful blend of buoyantly responsive ride, The 4 Season wheels are a surefooted control light and smooth riding without close collaboration with another and next level any worrying twang or flutter detailing ‘UK upstart’ brand – Hunt – and when you anchor hard. The wheels a perfect complement to the LOWS are tubeless tyre compatible if Resolution. They’re responsively Lighter tyres you add a sealing strip and valve, low weight, without sacrificing the release more of adding another level to the existing the Resolution’s stiffness needed to get maximum survivability and smoothness underlying got more cash? precision and longevity from the responsiveness advantages of the Resolution’s tyre huge amounts of fingertip control compatibility. The way the Mason Mason Resolution Dura-Ace Di2 from the hydraulic brakes. The BUY IF shrinks the miles adds credibility to Hydro £5595 Mason’s flagship uses the MultiPort all-weather control of the discs is You want an the latest ‘bigger is faster’ rubber utterly practical inserts to create a slick aesthetic for its backed up by a slacker than usual all-rounder you’ll testing results. electric shifting, steel superbike. head angle, which combines with still be begging to Mason has teamed up with UK the longer chainstays for a stable ride all weekend contact point specialist Fabric for and confident descending feel. A maximum bar tape and carbon railed relatively short stem keeps steering saddle comfort to complete the keen and lively, so if you decide to go excellent ride complementing spec. off piste you’ll have a good handle on grip in loose gravel conditions. As you’d expect if you were paying £1459 for a steel tubeset, the the verdict on a budget? custom Columbus tube mix screens All weather confidence, all purpose utility Mason Definition Ultegra £2695 out chatter and stutter from rough Hydro and ultra detailed style. This delivers the same outstanding surfaces. Unlike many disc sets the fork, disc brake specific MultiPort and full carbon Mason Aperture fork is guard detailing in an alloy tube format.

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Below BB86 Press-Fit bottom bracket provides a stiff, efficient pedalling platform Bottom Gearing is a mix of Shimano Ultegra Di2 and FSA kit

The semi-raw finish reveals a few spots of functional rather than flawless G enesis Volare Stainless welding £3399.99 › Is this stainless racer blemish free on the road?

enesis is another strength is high compared to other The Taiwanese ADK fork is the relatively young Reynolds or Columbus options. specification best piece here in terms of ride brand but while it Genesis has also decreased tube Weight 8.84kg quality. It smoothed-out incoming might not have the sizes slightly to keep weight down, (54cm) impacts and rough road sections so G Frame KVA MS3 same depth of laurels relying on the thicker tube walls for well that we stopped and checked stainless steel to rest on as Condor, Colnago and similar stiffness. Stout chainstays Fork ADK full we hadn’t lost front tyre pressure Pegoretti its stainless Volare frame and press-fit BB86 bottom bracket carbon several times before we realised it has picked up an impressive trophy add some width to channel wattage Gears FSA Energy was just the exceptional damping MegaExo 52/36t, haul in the last three years. in the right direction when you put Shimano Ultegra performance doing its job. That The bike you’re looking at isn’t the power down. It’s Di2 specific 6870 Di2 11-28t same smoothly planted and exactly the same as the £1999.99 with the battery and wiring running Brakes Shimano connected feel carries through the Ultegra Reynolds 953-tubed Volare frame internally. We did experience Wheels Fulcrum whole frame. The 25mm tyres add a evolved and still regularly raced by occasional, irritating cable rattle Racing LG CX bit more smoothness and while they the Madison Genesis pro team. The and the semi-raw finish reveals a Finishing kit don’t have pose value the Genesis- Genesis 110mm American-developed KVA stainless few spots of functional rather than stem, Compact branded contact kit is comfortable. tubeset is created using the same flawless welding, but the alignment bar, Continental Even allowing for that (and cold drawn, homogenous welded of the ring-reinforced head-tube to Grand Sport Race swapping wheels about to check) the 25mm tyres seam methods though and tensile cowled dropout is perfect. stainless tubes had a distinctively

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There’s enough authority in the front and fork that it never started to twitch or stand up

HIGHS Very smooth and surefooted ride quality, great more ductile and fluid interaction value for stainless a generous stretch in the top-tube with the road when we got deep tubes and Di2 to give ample breathing space. Kick into our swap over, back-to-back LOWS hard though and the heavy wheels segment riding sessions. While Wheel and and extra Di2 weight can be felt they’re not light the component dragging you backwards. The FSA roll smoothly and Genesis has choices dull chainset is slightly soft underfoot responsiveness specced the CX version, which gets too but even when we swapped to an better bearing seals than normal. BUY IF Ultegra crank and lighter wheels to got more cash? This permanently connected You want a isolate the chassis, the Genesis still Genesis Volare 953 £1999.99 feel means while the wheelbase is sublimely smooth, doesn’t feel as responsive and taut (frame and forks) The pro spec Volare Di2-equipped relatively short we never doubted as either the Condor or the Enigma. frame uses Reynolds tubing, including package rather several shapes developed for Genesis. the ability of the Volare to push the While the complete package than a pick and Conventional or Di2 specific options. Continental tyres hard on descents mix charger deal makes it very good value without overstepping the mark. for a stainless-tubed Di2 bike, There’s enough authority in the you’re reliant on your dealer to front and fork that it never started to accommodate any changes you twitch or stand up just when we were might want to make. trying to calm our breathing and totally commit to a sweeper, and you can work the brakes hard and late without worrying. the verdict on a budget? Where the Genesis is less Excellent value for impeccable stainless Genesis Equilibrium compelling is on climbs. The slight Stainless £1999.99 steel smoothness and Di2 drive This uses a similar KVA stainless spring of the steel means it can tap tubeset to the Volare but in a more a rhythm out beautifully and there’s relaxed, all-rounder format.

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Below Seatstays flatten out below the brake bridge Bottom Oversized PF30 bottom bracket is a rare sight on steel bikes

It’s the only bike here that’s gone through the lengthy and expensive process C ondor Super Acciaio needed for UCI approval £3410 › Does Condor’s latest steel racer really give you wings?

ondor’s shop on bike here that’s gone through the The seatstays are flattened to flex Gray’s Inn Road, lengthy and expensive process specification subtly below the Condor-embossed London, has been a needed for UCI approval and the Weight 8.0kg brake bridge and there’s delicious cultural hub for international racing clearance that (55cm) detailing from the contrast paint C Frame Columbus everyone from cycle provides. A tapered head-tube keeps inside the double-sided reinforced Condor custom couriers to Continental pro riders a firm (for steel) hold on the light Fork Columbus dropouts to neatly shaped cable since 1948 and has been producing Columbus Grammy Slim fork, it uses Grammy Slim/ guides and multiple 3D versions of stylish machines for just as long. an oversize BB30 bottom bracket Super Acciaio the Condor logo on various tubes. Gears The Super Acciaio blends that that is almost unheard of in steel Athena Carbon, A full bike fit at Condor HQ (or timeless style and experience with bikes and stout, kinked chainstays 52/36, 11-28t nine other regional Condor the fruits of its long relationship end in oversized cowled dropouts. Brakes stockists) is included in the £1399 Campagnolo with Italian tube master Columbus You’ll feel a different cross-section Athena dual pivot frame or complete, multi-option to produce a sporting steeler. wherever you grab the triple-butted Wheels bike builder price and if none of the If you didn’t know about the rich tubes too, with everything from Campagnolo six broadly spaced 46-61cm sizes Shamal Ultra racing history of Condor – most round to oval to octagonal to Finishing kit Fizik feel right custom geometry (and recently in cahoots with Rapha and rectangular and every permutation stem and bar, paint options) are available for £120 JLT – there are some clear clues in in between used to maximise power Conti Grand Prix and an eight-week wait. The bike 4000S 23mm tyres the Super A frameset. It’s the only transfer and precision. builder also allows your personal

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Enhanced power transfer and precision comes at the expense of subtle shock damping

HIGHS Efficiently effervescent responsiveness choice of parts but you’d not go far and handling on test makes it the most quick- wrong with Condor’s own pick of with serious style witted of the bunch and it’s as eager and good value mid-range Campagnolo groupset on twisting roads as it is on climbs. custom options and top end wheels here. Perhaps inevitably, enhanced While artistry and custom spec LOWS power transfer and precision comes potential help justify a serious bike Firmer, feistier at the expense of subtle shock ride than you purchase, it’s how a frame feels on damping and there’s a fair amount might expect the road that really lights your fire. from steel of clatter and chatter from either got more cash? The Super A is the most flammable end of the Condor. Tight clearances Condor Acciaio Stainless bike here in that respect too. The BUY IF mean even 25mm tyres are a close £2799.99 (frame and fork) The stiff, short chainstay frame stokes You want a fit. A relatively tall head-tube takes Columbus XCr stainless steel Acciaio classically the lightweight Campagnolo Shamal pressure off your hands, and with comes with custom fit and colour styled, deep choice as standard. wheels up to a scorching pace with heritage, custom the extra filter of a skinny Fizik minimal effort for a steel bike. The configurable carbon seatpost under the Aliante 8kg weight means it’ll ignite with steelie with a saddle there’s enough spring to float distinctively equal enthusiasm on any steepness dynamic ride a big gear over staccato road sections of incline or village sign sprint and and keep the steel spark alive. it’s the standout bike here for riders who love to look over their shoulders and prod the pace of a group ride. on a budget? Even with the wheels swapped it’s the verdict £899.99 still got a noticeable edge over the Aggressive power and handling, clean steel Condor Acciaio (frame and fork) A more upright and otherwise similarly sporting Enigma style with good value custom options affordable frame but the Dedacciai when you’re twisting the bar tape off Zero Replica triple-butted tubeset at max torque. The steepest steering means it’s no heavier than the Super.

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Below For an extra £299 you can be patriotic with Union Jack touches Bottom Campagnolo Chorus Skeleton brakes scrub off speed

There’s enough give in the frame to keep tyres glued better than E nigma Elite HSS ST you expect £3649 › Has Enigma cracked the code for spirited yet smooth riding?

he optional £299 absorption. It’s so good that given screw-in bottom bracket shell. The Union Jack painted the visual similarity we actually specification brazed-on tab for the front mech is front end of the asked Enigma if it had fitted an Weight 7.82kg neater than the wraparound clamps Enigma makes ultra-expensive ENVE Road 2.0 (53cm) used on most of the bikes here. The T Frame Columbus a striking visual under the colour-synced paint job sudden pre-dropout taper of the Spirit Niobium statement but the frame and fork rather than its own unit. Fork Enigma stout chainstays reminded us of the it covers are what confirm the Elite Enigma follows up the full carbon classic enhanced stiffness Max OR HSS ST’s combative character. contemporary front end with a Gears Campagnolo tubeset that Columbus developed to Chorus, 50/34, The stocky head-tube gives room gently sloped top-tube and tight 11-28 combat the rise of alloy frame for a full-size tapered fork with rear that keeps the metal needed to a Brakes popularity in the ’90s. The cowled hidden Columbus ceramic bearings. minimum. That gives the Elite HSS Campagnolo dropouts also give maximum Chorus Skeleton The fork base width means the an impressively low claimed frame Wheels contact area for the rear stays to head-tube can be kept low for an weight of just over 1500g for the Campagnolo Zonda complete a muscular looking frame. aggressive ride position rather than smallest size. Tube shaping’s Finishing kit Enigma offers Ultegra-based 1.1 Enigma 3D stem, perching you up high for pottering. minimal too, relying on the classic Compact bar, (£3075.99) or Dura-Ace-based 1.3 The carbon Enigma fork has been round profiles of the triple-butted Continental Grand (£4299) complete bike options or chosen to produce the right blend of Columbus Spirit tubing to join the Prix 4000S can build you a custom spec bike like 23mm tyres precision and palpable small bump tapered head to the conventional the Campagnolo Chorus stop and

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Even with the relatively low bar position it’s forgiving enough for a lazy summer ride

HIGHS Excellent balance of smoothness and speed with go/Zonda wheel sample here. While full commitment the fastest exit. It’s not as taut as the frame prices of the Elite HSS ST and handling and Condor or solid as the Pegoretti but collar and cuffs Condor Super Acciaio are the same at the stout tubes are punchy enough style options £1399 the Condor bike builder is to make going full gas a rewarding cheaper for a similar spec. Enigma LOWS experience on climbs or sprints and has its own paint shop, with several Complete bike help you churn a fading gear over the prices are slightly two-tone options as standard on the brow of a hill and spin straight into high Elite and a range of custom finishes the attack. Even with the relatively Got more cash? including colour-matched Enigma BUY IF low bar position it’s forgiving Enigma Excel Ti £2287 (frame and stem and seatpost for £299+. You want your enough for a lazy summer ride. fork) The Excel sits at the top of the While the colour-matched frame steel with smooth The Enigma feels as classy and prestige pile thanks to an evolved 6AL performance 4V tubeset, tapered fork compatible and kit looks great it’s how it works coherent to ride as it is to look at and position swagger, head-tube and machined detailing. on the road that makes it clear why easy speed and its easy yet enthusiastic character is Enigma’s owner Jim Walker often fresh styling a great example of why steel still rides one himself rather than one of deserves consideration if you want his more expensive titanium frames. more from your riding than clinical While the relatively relaxed head- speed and mass market value. tube gives a stable base feel, the steep seat angle pushes weight and authority onto the front tyre. There’s enough give in the frame to the verdict on a budget? keep tyres glued better than you Engaging and enjoyable race style, easy Enigma Ethos £1050 (frame and fork) Triple-butted Columbus Life expect, so you can really rip the low speed ride but value is in the finish options tubing means a similar weight frame front end through corners, clipping to the Elite, but a straight steerer and apexes and straining your neck for single colours keep it more affordable.

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Below Precisa fork sports Colnago’s cloverleaf logo Bottom The frame’s paintjob is a mix of stencilling, air brushing and metallic flake

Unboxing revealed a beautifully judged build kit from importer C olnago Master X-Light Windwave £3512 › Is this ultimate Italian icon still a relevant ride?

was more excited TriMax 30 rims sync with the flat dropouts if you want to sneak the to try this bike than faces of the Master’s signature cross specification rear wheel even closer to the seat- any I can remember section Columbus tubing. Weight 8.45kg tube on the already short rear end. in a long time. I It’s the £1999.99 frame with its (56cm) Crowning the constructional glory I Frame Custom caught my first 30-year history that’s the star. on our sample is one of four different DT15V steel glimpse of this aspirational icon The tubeset is joined via separate Fork Colnago base colour versions of Colnago’s when I opened my first copy of the ornately shaped lugs or socket Precisa, 1in steerer Art Deco livery. It’s a stunning mix 1986 Bicycle Buyer’s Guide. It was sections. The ones connecting the Gears Campagnolo of stencils, multi-colour airbrush Chorus, 52/36, the most expensive bike in there head-tube to the down-tube and 11-25t fades, rich colour blocks and and justified that cost easily with top-tube are chromed and inset Brakes freestyle metallic flake detailing its opulence. My giddy expectation with Colnago’s cloverleaf logo to Campagnolo that somehow works perfectly in Chorus didn’t ease when unboxing revealed match the chromed, tapered leg Wheels Vision the Colnago context whether you a beautifully judged build kit from Precisa stiletto fork. The centre TriMax 30 remember it from childhood or importer Windwave, which teamed sections of the slim rear stays are Finishing kit FSA it’s totally new to you. If it’s a bit Gossamer stem Campagnolo’s latest Chorus also immaculately chromed. The and bar, Colnago flamboyant for you there are retro 22-speed stop/go equipment with a whole frame is perfectly aligned so post, Continental Mapei team colour, the classic retro Selle Italia suede saddle. Even you only need to touch the wheel Grand Prix 4000S white panel on red livery of Italian II 25mm tyres the machined facets on the Vision positioning screws in the rear 1982 World Champion Giuseppe

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The Master is stretched long and low over steep steering and seat angles

HIGHS A true style icon with authoritative charisma and Saronni or just a white and chrome technically and climbing requires a more deft option. A vast range of sizes in single tenacious touch. Stomp rudely on the pedals or handling centimetre gaps from 49-65cm heave the bar and it responds with should see most riders find a fit. LOWS the speed sucking stubbornness The fit of the Colnago is as much Slim lugged you’d expect if you tried to bully an of its time as the construction and steel tubes need old Italian. Squeeze power forwards coaxing up to style. The Master is stretched long from a rearward saddle position and speed not bullying and low over steep steering and the sense of sticky brakes and rubber got more cash? seat angles. While it looks fragile BUY IF chain is replaced with a steady surge Colnago C60 Disc £3699.95 the ultra-tapered Stiletto fork is You want a truly of speed that’s sustained whatever The latest C60 monocoque flagship comes in disc brake and electric shift anything but, skewering the road timeless, instantly the road underneath you. Pushing recognisable versions or even a combination of with authority considering the inch classic rather than weight back and riding light on the the two. diameter steerer, skinny head- a modernised front also reduces the hammer from tube and frame tubes connecting it muscle bike the fork. This is a bike that rewards to the rest of the bike. Those slim you if you respect it and where time tubes glue the back end onto the you spend aboard is a bonus, not tarmac with equal tenacity, with the something to be hurried. 25mm tyres and angular Vision rims adding more adhesion and accuracy. Add the long, low position and the Master descends like a hawk even on the verdict on a budget? technical descents, begging you to A true steel icon with impeccable handling Colnago AC-R 105 £2099.95 This uses a carbon frame and fork add gears rather than back off. and timeless charisma that’s conventional or electric shift While it’s a match for the latest compatible and comes with Campag bikes on descents, accelerating Veloce, Shimano Ultegra or 105 kit.

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Below The Ciavete finish will cost you an extra £485 Bottom Ambrosio Excellight SSC rims are weighty but can handle rougher stuff

The welding and alignment is perfect from the extended head-tube Pegorett i Duende Ciavete to the dropouts £2635 (frame and fork) › Stand out style from a framebuilding legend

e can’t think of builders were still using lugs and low The Duende is the entry-level another bike we’ve temperature brazing. specification model using a Columbus Spirit- tested that hasn’t While the technique became Weight 9.09kg based tubeset with socketed rather had its brand name common with mass-produced alloy (57cm) than TIG-welded dropouts to save W Frame Columbus somewhere on its frames before flowing back into steel time and money. That means it Spirit Niobium frame but then Pegoretti isn’t an and titanium construction, at the Fork Pegoretti Falz ‘only’ costs £2150 for the frame, ordinary brand. time this pushed the materials and carbon Falz carbon fork, custom insertion There’s an extra irony in the craftsmanship to the limit. The Gears Campagnolo depth Chris King D11 headset Athena alloy, fact that Dario Pegoretti doesn’t precision mitring (curved shaping to 50/34, 11-25 and surprisingly crude looking plaster his name on his frames either ensure the perfect tube on tube Brakes clamp-on front mech mount. The as he built his reputation by creating connection) removes any overlap, Campagnolo welding and alignment is perfect Athena dual pivot bikes to be raced under other brand minimising the amount of metal Wheels Ambrosio from the extended head-tube to names by the world’s best riders. He needed and therefore producing the Excellight SSC rims the distinctive socketed dropouts. started frame building back in 1975 lightest frames possible. It also lets on PMP hubs The price includes a single colour Finishing kit Deda and already had an enviable the frames flex and move to the stem, bar and finish of your choice, with panel reputation before he started to maximum potential of the material seatpost, Schwalbe designs at an extra £165, standard pioneer TIG welding to join steel and this construction is still favoured Durano Plus multi-colour paint jobs at £340 23mm tyres tubes in 1985 when most other by Dario in his Italian workshop. or the Ciavete finish seen here for

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When it comes to muscling a gear round or ploughing through the roughest corners the Pegoretti is awesome

HIGHS Immaculate build quality, rock solid ride and incredible £485. This option hands the creative paint options provided by UK importer Mosquito reigns to Dario and the results can be Bikes don’t do the Duende’s LOWS anything from monochrome graffiti responsiveness or snap acceleration Premium price, to embedded newspaper cuttings, punishingly stiff any favours either. abstract polychromatic panels or by steel standards But the PMP-centred wheels are psychedelic explosions. beautifully built and when it comes While the aesthetic insanity and BUY IF to muscling a gear around with grim You’re a muscular heritage is the reason many riders rider with a determination or ploughing through got more cash? are happy to wait for months and passion for the roughest corners the Pegoretti Pegoretti Big Leg Emma £3500 pay a huge premium for a Pegoretti, pedalling the is awesome. Features like the Big Leg Emma uses oversized tubing how does the Duende ride? ultimate in frame horizontal top-tube and extended and horizontal stiffening baffles in building artistry the down-tube to create the most If you’re expecting something head-tube also make the Duende powerful frame in the Pegoretti lineup. ethereal you’re in for a shock. suited to bigger, heavier riders who Legendary riders like Stephen might find the more vibrant bikes Roche, , Mario here too flexy but who still want a Cipollini, and piece of art, not just another mass- Andrea Tafi used Pegoretti frames as market moulded carbon frame. their tools of the trade, the Duende is a solid workhorse. There’s little of the flow and spring of the more on a budget? animated bikes here and it’ll punish the verdict you if you put the Falz fork in the Zullo Tonica £1595 Immaculately constructed rock-solid steel Legendary Italian builder Tiziano wrong place on a rough road. The workhorse with unmissable individual styling Zullo’s entry-level frameset can be ordered with rack and mudguard Campagnolo Athena alloy parts and relatively heavy hand-built wheels mounts or larger tyre clearance.

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Mason Genesis Condor Super Enigma Elite Colnago Pegoretti Resolution Volare Acciaio HSS ST Master X-Light Duende Ciavete £3195 £3399 £3410 £3649 £3512 £2635* *Frame and fork Size tested 54cm 54cm 55cm 53cm 56cm 57cm

Sizes available 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 46, 49, 52, 55, 58, 53, 55, 56, 57, 59cm 49-65cm 49-60cm 60cm 60cm 61cm

Weight 9.16kg 8.84kg 8.0kg 7.82kg 8.45kg 9.09kg

Frame Mason Columbus KVA MS3 stainless Columbus Condor Columbus Spirit Custom DT15V steel Columbus Spirit Spirit/Life custom steel custom Niobium Niobium

Fork Mason Aperture ADK full carbon Columbus Grammy Enigma carbon Colnago Precisa, 1in Pegoretti Falz carbon carbon disc Slim/Super Acciaio steerer

Frame alignment Head-tube and rear Head-tube and fork Head-tube and rear Head-tube excellent, All perfect All perfect dropout perfect, fork dropout perfect, rear dropout perfect, fork fork and rear dropout excellent dropout excellent dropout excellent dropouts perfect

Transmission

Chainset Shimano Ultegra FSA Energy MegaExo, Campagnolo Athena Campagnolo Chorus, Campagnolo Chorus, Athena alloy, 50/34 6800, 50/34 52/36 Carbon, 52/36 50/34 52/36

Bottom bracket Shimano Ultegra BB86 PF Campagnolo Power Campagnolo EPS Campagnolo EPS Campagnolo EPS 6800 Torque PF

Cassette Shimano Ultegra Shimano 105, 11-28T Campagnolo Athena, Campagnolo Chorus, Campagnolo Chorus, Campagnolo Chorus, 6800, 11-28T 11-28T 11-28T 11-25T 11-25T

Chain Shimano Ultegra KMC X11 Campagnolo Athena Campagnolo Chorus Campagnolo Chorus Campagnolo Athena 6800

Derailleurs Shimano Ultegra Shimano Ultegra Campagnolo Athena Campagnolo Chorus Campagnolo Chorus Campagnolo Athena 6800 6870 Di2

Gear levers Shimano Ultegra Shimano Ultegra Campagnolo Athena Campagnolo Chorus Campagnolo Chorus Campagnolo Athena 6800 6870 Di2

Wheels

Front and rear Mason Hunt 4 Season Fulcrum Racing LG CX Campagnolo Shamal Campagnolo Zonda Vision TriMax 30 Ambrosio Excellight disc Ultra SSC rims, PMP hubs

Tyres Continental Grand Continental Grand Continental Grand Continental Grand Continental Grand Schwalbe Durano Sport Extra, 28mm Sport Race, 25mm Prix 4000S II, 23mm Prix 4000S II, 23mm Prix 4000S II, 25mm Plus, 23mm

Wheel weight F 1.43kg R 1.79kg F 1.28kg R 1.7kg F 1.01kg R 1.48kg F 1.03kg R 1.56kg F 1.09kg R 1.54kg F 1.35kg R 1.77kg

Components

Stem Deda Zero2, 90mm Genesis, 110mm Fizik Cyrano R3, Enigma 3D, 120mm FSA Gossamer, Deda Zero100, 110mm 120mm 120mm

Handlebar Deda RHM02, Genesis Compact, Fizik Cyrano R3, Enigma Compact, FSA Gossamer, Deda Newton, 400mm 420mm 420mm 420mm 400mm 420mm

Headset Deda HHS, tapered FSA Orbit ITA Condor custom Columbus Ceramic, FSA Orbit X Chris King D11 Ferrous alloy tapered custom delivers its true Saddle Fabric carbon Genesis Fizik Aliante Kium Enigma Ellipse Selle Italia Turbo Selle Italia Flite Gel Seatpost Mason Penta carbon, Genesis alloy, Fizik carbon, 27.2mm Enigma carbon Colnago carbon, Deda RS02, alloy value over years 27.2mm 27.2mm 27.2mm of user-friendly winner riding Brakes Shimano Ultegra 785 Shimano Ultegra Campagnolo Athena Campagnolo Chorus Campagnolo Chorus Campagnolo Athena Mason Resolution Ultegra Hydro Disc › Talking ’bout a Resolution hydraulic disc 6800 dual pivot Skeleton dual pivot

fter several months known in broader cycling circles, cuffs style, albeit at a slightly higher Mason Genesis Condor of enjoyably and for many it’s the Art Deco- complete bike price. NEXT MONTH 55.2cm 55cm 55.5cm There is a long and Cockpit 67cm Cockpit 70.4cm Cockpit 68.5cm exhaustive testing painted Master X-Light that Ferrous alloy also delivers its true honourable record Standover 78.7cm 71.5˚ Standover 76.3cm 73.5˚ Standover 79.3cm 73.5˚ we understand captures the glory better than value over years of user-friendly BB height 27.5cm 73.5˚ BB height 27.2cm 73.5˚ BB height 26.5cm 73.5˚ A of ex-pro riders Fork offset 4.5cm Fork offset 4cm Fork offset 4cm why steel bikes are anything since. riding, not flash-in-the-pan, launching bike Trail 6.6cm Trail 5.9cm Trail 5.8cm 49.5cm 51cm 50cm more popular than they’ve been If you’re after more contemporary replace-next-season performance. brands when they retire from racing, 42cm 41cm 40.5cm for ages, despite obvious price and performance it’s the UK not Italy Step forward the beautifully something which performance disadvantages. showing the way. Condor’s racing designed, high-performance continues to this 101cm 98cm 100.2cm While brands like Parlee show heritage shows in the pulse-racing Resolution from Mason. An day. We test six you can make carbon beautiful performance of the Super Acciaio. outstanding bike that combines all- bikes from the and individual, steel bikes are the Genesis offers excellent value with weather utility and confidence with biggest names in Enigma Colnago Pegoretti sport, some whose 53cm 55cm 57cm chosen canvas of the world’s best the ultra-smooth-riding, stainless multi-option future-proofing and careers date back Cockpit 70.2cm Cockpit 70cm Cockpit 71.6cm Standover 77.4cm Standover 80.6cm Standover 82.8cm bike artists. If you can afford the steel Volare if you want Di2 and seals the deal with a rewardingly to pre-war days, 72˚ 72.5˚ 72˚ BB height 26.5cm 74˚ BB height 27cm 74˚ BB height 27.2m 73˚ premium price tag nobody matches don’t mind upgrading the wheels to responsive ride. If discs aren’t your others just retired. Fork offset 5cm Fork offset 5cm Fork offset 4.5cm Dario Pegoretti for combining unleash its full potential. Enigma thing don’t discount Mason for the But do their bikes Trail 5.4cm Trail 5.5cm Trail 6.3cm live up to their 49cm 54cm 57cm a history of constructional slots between the two of them foreseeable future either, as the illustrious names? 41cm 40.8cm 41cm innovation with aesthetic impact. with a great balance of speed and Resolution is just the first bike in its Issue 305 is on sale is even better smoothness wrapped in collar and steel pipeline. 18 August 2015 98.2cm 99cm 101cm

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