new bike enigma? ?

[colin jones]

Hi all
The light is glowing greener for the approval for a new bike 40 next year so ive got a excuse to treat myself over the last 12 months I've liked loads of different bikes but for a while now I've been seduced buy titanium especially the enigmas stocked locally at first i thought it would be the echo but im swinging around to the etape i first mainly weekends, sportifs, just done the etape cymru and recently completed my first 100 mile nothing to fast if i ave at 15 ish that would be it im poor at climbing as i weigh in around 100kg and 6ft so im spat out the back regularly so i'll never be a racing snake i also have back issues to dont think I'll get too aero either
I been riding about 4 years now and currently a tricross since buying it ive always wishing i bought a true road bike
I stiil find the thought of spending 2k on a bike not a car crazy so i really want to by right and it to be a lifetime bike which leads me to the etape
Id like so advice from enigma owner maybe people who have ridden both
the only bit that doesn't make me think all in is that i would want to wish for something more sporty

 

[ianrauk]

@rb58 mat be able to help you.

 

[colin jones]

Cheers mate
Thanks a lot

 

[rb58]

Hello.

I have an Etape. Absolutely love it. Not only is it a dream to ride, but it's a quality build. I notice Enigma list it these days in the road and the touring sections of
their website. Which just about sums it up, because it has the comfort of an all day bike, but is no slouch when it comes to putting down the power.

I have had mine 3 or 4 years, and will have covered (I estimate) 12,000 miles on it, including a few 200+ mile rides and an End to End. It's as lively today as when I got it. And it still looks great.

However, the shape of the frame has changed since I got mine - the seat stays are now straight, rather than the elegant curve on mine. I don't know if this has affected the quality of the ride.

I got mine direct from the Enigma factory. I visited them and Mark himself took all the measurements. Fortunately I fitted a standard 55cm frame, so no need for a custom build. If you do decide to go to Enigma, check out the different finishes. I'm very glad I chose the polished logos over the black transfers. It's more elegant and discrete and well worth a few extra £s.

The only thing I have had trouble with has been the bottle cages - I've had three Enigma carbon ones break, so I went for some cheap Chinese imports instead (which have the advantage of being logo free).

All in all, I'm happy to recommend the Etape bike and the Enigma company.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

 

[colin jones]

Thanks very much for your reply Its good to here from a owner,thing with omlt riding a short while and only riding my tricross i haven't riden any thing to compare i havent rode any thing carbon either when people discribe different caracteristics in reviews or in person of bikes or wheels etc i cant say i reaĺly understand what is ment whenthey talk about angles, wheelbase or stiffness sometimes wander if i should go down the specialized,trek,giant route as im not sure if i have had the experience in riding to know about different bikes but id really like to be a life long bike and god those enigmas really look beautiful. .....

 

[colin jones]

Sorry about my sausage fingered typing

 

[SteCenturion]

@colin jones

I am quite sure that Enigma make fantastic bikes & I have only ever read positive things about them..

don't discount Van Nicholas though for titanium, a Dutch company with a fantastic reputation & beautiful beautiful bikes.

Evans Cycles stock a few.

Best of British (or Dutch) in your search.

 

[Pale Rider]

The likes of Van Nic are a bit, er, Ford Mondeo to some titanium customers.

What you want is a custom build from an obscure brand run by one man in a shed in Yorkshire.

http://www.baldwintitanium.co.uk/

 

[ianrauk]

@colin jones

I am quite sure that Enigma make fantastic bikes & I have only ever read positive things about them..

don't discount Van Nicholas though for titanium, a Dutch company with a fantastic reputation & beautiful beautiful bikes.

Evans Cycles stock a few.

Best of British (or Dutch) in your search.

That's pushing it a little... and I'm a VN owner.

 

[ianrauk]

The likes of Van Nic are a bit, er, Ford Mondeo to some titanium customers.

What you want is a custom build from an obscure brand run by one man in a shed in Yorkshire.

http://www.baldwintitanium.co.uk/

Oi! No Mondeo I've seen look as beautiful as this..

 

[colin jones]

You're not wrong its a cracking looking bike thing is that my lbs stocks enigma thats why they stand out to me l have to walk passed em and drool ever time i pick up a few gels or a a can of gt85

 

[ianrauk]

Thanks very much for your reply Its good to here from a owner,thing with omlt riding a short while and only riding my tricross i haven't riden any thing to compare i havent rode any thing carbon either when people discribe different caracteristics in reviews or in person of bikes or wheels etc i cant say i reaĺly understand what is ment whenthey talk about angles, wheelbase or stiffness sometimes wander if i should go down the specialized,trek,giant route as im not sure if i have had the experience in riding to know about different bikes but id really like to be a life long bike and god those enigmas really look beautiful. .....

I think in your head you have made up your own mind and that's no bad thing. If you bought an Enigma I can almost guarantee that it would be one of the best purchases you would ever make. @rb58 's bike is a thing of beauty. Seeing and riding his bike was one of the reasons I went down the Ti route myself. As you can see from the picture above. Ti bikes look very pretty and not only that they ride like a dream. My bike is now 2 years old and every time I jump on board it feels like I am riding a new bike.

If you are in London or the South East per chance, you are more then welcome to try my Van Nich to give you a feel as to the beauty that is Titanium. I also have a Specialized Roubaix (Carbon) which you can also try.

 

[Onyer]

I also had an Enigma Etape and what a beauty it was. I tried out a Lynskey and a Sabbath and the main difference was the components on them. I have ridden in France with panniers on the back and it performed well - downhill it was the fastest bike out of the three of us. Probably more to do with the 52/36 and 11-32 setup than any bike skills on my part. I bought the frame and built it up with Ultegra and hand built wheels from DCR.

 

[Onyer]

Oi! No Mondeo I've seen look as beautiful as this..

Lovely wheels - where did you get those?

 

[ianrauk]

Lovely wheels - where did you get those?

DCR of course