Do you know what was remarkably missing in the 2022 Enve Builder Round-Up? Bicycles made of carbon fiber, titanium, and steel were plentiful, but aluminum ones were nowhere to be found.
It is a pity given the enormous potential of aluminum as a structural material. Maybe cheap metal doesn’t have enough prestige for some, or maybe the tendency for custom buyers to own their bikes for a long time doesn’t fit well with aluminum’s undeserved reputation for short-term durability.
Either way, we finished our third and final round of Enve Builder Round-Up 2022 coverage with an assortment of precious steel and titanium machines (follow the links to see parts 1 and 2 of this series). And don’t worry, aluminum – we’ll see you soon in another custom show.
Chumba bicycles
Chumba is a Texas-based brand that offers just about everything, but seems to specialize in packaging equipment and adventures like this. Photo: Ian Matteson. Vittoria Mezcal fast-rolling mountain bike tires and a RockShox SID suspension fork look like a recipe for a great bikepacking adventure. Photo: Ian Matteson. The sliding tips offer an easy and precise axle adjustment without the hassle of having to readjust the brake caliper. Photo: Ian Matteson. This matching painted stem, so good. Photo: Ian Matteson. Clean lines, good times. Photo: Ian Matteson. Nice. Photo: Ian Matteson.
Bridge bike works
Bridge Bike Works is still kicking off its production, but that didn’t stop the nascent brand from bringing this sleek-looking example to Enve HQ. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. As for the frame design, the Bridge Surveyor doesn’t seem to open up any new avenues, but there’s nothing wrong with continuing with the tried and true. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. Remember what the thin steering tubes looked like? Now that brands need extra space to run hoses and cables inside the top bearing, this is gone. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. I’m digging into this clean, unobtrusive logo. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. Bridge has also taken the bold step of making its own carbon forks. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. Matching painted Arundel cages are a nice finishing touch. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw.
Horse cycles
It’s hard to argue with a good bike all the way, like Horse’s. Photo: Ian Matteson. Is it aero? Is it light? Does it include all the latest and greatest technological features? No, no and no. But I bet this thing is still a joy to ride. Photo: Ian Matteson. Take a look at the subtle curve of this horse’s seat. Photo: Ian Matteson. Yes, it works for me. Photo: Ian Matteson. The seat tube is decorated with a pattern of mountain lupine flowers. Photo: Ian Matteson. White Industries cranks are popular with the handmade crowd. Photo: Ian Matteson.
Beetle cycles
Scarab Cycles comes from Colombia, a brother of top-notch climbers. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. The detail work on this gravel bike is exceptional. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. You definitely won’t want to scratch this bike, though with all the details, it’s also likely that small imperfections aren’t easy to find. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. Rene Herse tires are popular with people built by hand for their quality of buttery driving. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. I don’t know if this hose guide is fully guided, but I can dream. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. You may not have seen much of Beetle, but my hunch is that you will see more soon. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw.
Retrotec cycles
Retrotec bikes have an unmistakably different style. Photo: Ian Matteson. Because some people love straight tubes and others prefer a little more curve. Photo: Ian Matteson. One of the best logos in the bicycle industry, in my humble opinion. Photo: Ian Matteson. A mix of old and new. Photo: Ian Matteson. The avant-garde group Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 is a strong contrast of modernity with the classic lines of the painting. Photo: Ian Matteson. Yum. Photo: Ian Matteson.
SaltAir cycles
SaltAir Cycles has been around for a few years, but it has quickly established a solid reputation for magnificent custom steel frames. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. This type of root construction is becoming increasingly rare these days, especially with limit seats. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. Magnificent rocker style dropouts. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. The elegance of a single gear. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. There is a recurring theme of mechanical simplicity in this SaltAir. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw. The total absence of color is amazing. Photo: Ethan Bradshaw.