I work here at Saffron with Matthew, helping with customer services, ordering and assembling each frame as it’s finished. It only seemed right I should be riding one of our bikes so I got to work with the plans.
As I’m sure you’ll tell from the pictures I’m very tall (201cm) so it really does make sense for me to be riding a custom bike. Normally traveling with a bike that is my size is a total nightmare, as the frame doesn’t fit in a normal bike box, so S&S couplers mean this will pack down into a box not much bigger than it’s wheel. Because of the need to split the frame and to keep fuss to a minimum I opted for Sram’s wireless Etap groupset. I ride a lot, all year round, and I wanted the bike to be versatile yet still ride like a race bike. Mudguard eyelets were added to a Columbus FEL fork (which happens to clear the 30c tyres without a problem – bring on those gravel tracks) to allow me to use 25c and mudguards under normal “race” drop brakes. Every road, every country, all year round!
Tubing selection was down to Matthew – but as I’m a powerful heavy rider he went BIG. Mainly Columbus Life if the largest diameters available to keep the frame stiff at my size, with a integral shim for the 27.2mm post for increased comfort. After my years in the bike trade I know what I like parts wise, so whilst it’s not all “matching” I feel the build is coherent and suits me perfectly. I chose the road S bend seat stays – I love that detail!
After a couple of thousand KM I can report the bike is all I hoped and more. Stiff yet smooth on all roads, solid and quick on the descents. I find it hard to tare myself away!
