burls or enigma bespoke

stevesavage71
stevesavage71 Posts: 54
edited June 2011 in Road buying advice
I've now narrowed down to a Burls titanium or enigma steel bike. Has anyone got any comments on the two companies please to help me decide?

I think both bikes would be great, I just can't choose.

Comments

  • MattFT
    MattFT Posts: 178
    Just got an Enigma Echo and I absolutely love it. Mark and Jim at Enigma are extremely helpful. Give them some serious consideration.
    FCN: 4

    My Condor R.I.P.

    Enigma Echo - everything outside the city
    Genesis Day One Disc - commuter
  • GyatsoLa
    GyatsoLa Posts: 667
    I've no experience of Burls, but I'm very happy with my Enigma Etape - a very well balanced design and nice finish. I was told that Enigma had a bad rep for service in their early days but I think those teething problems have been sorted out. I bought my frame last year and had no problems.
  • bondurant
    bondurant Posts: 858
    +1 for the company. I have a ti Enigma as opposed to steel so can't comment on that aspect of your question. The steel frames I saw in their workshop looked very very nice though!
  • Hoopdriver
    Hoopdriver Posts: 2,023
    I had a bespoke tourer built for me by Enigma and have been delighted with the beautiful frame and found them as a company to be extremely friendly, thoughtful, knowledgeable and helpful. Definitely worth considering.
    http://www.My-Bicycle-and-I.com
  • appletrees
    appletrees Posts: 327
    Justin Burls is a friend of mine - I've seen a lot of his work and it's excellent - lots of my friends have both his steel and Ti frames. He's also a top bloke and will go very much out of his way to get something very special built for you.
  • napper
    napper Posts: 31
    +1 for Burls. May not have such a high profile as Enigma and other Ti frame suppliers, but my dealings with Justin have simply been top notch.
    You won't get the razzamataz you get from other bigger suppliers, but that's more than made up for in his expertise and personal communication you get in dealing with him direct.
    Give him a go!
  • stevesavage71
    stevesavage71 Posts: 54
    Thanks for the response, sounds like both are excellent. I guess it's down to a 950 pound titanium or 1600 pound steel?
  • appletrees
    appletrees Posts: 327
    Justin Burls does bespoke steel too...

    About £750 IIRC, may even be a bit cheaper than that...
  • alan_sherman
    alan_sherman Posts: 1,157
    Go for whichever is closest to you so the journey for fitting (and collection?) are easier. Both are excellent. I have a an Enigma BTW and like it (but want the new head tube badge instead of the sticker) :)
  • andrewjoseph
    andrewjoseph Posts: 2,165
    Justin Burls made us some custom Ti tourers that we're very happy with.

    Have a think about Ti forks too, and disk brakes. :twisted:
    --
    Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails
  • antlaff
    antlaff Posts: 583
    alan sherman wrote:
    Go for whichever is closest to you so the journey for fitting (and collection?) are easier. Both are excellent. I have a an Enigma BTW and like it (but want the new head tube badge instead of the sticker) :)

    I have a Enigma with the 3d head tube badge and love it!!!
    Work
    Ride
    Play
    Sunny Days
    Fun
  • Evil Laugh
    Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
    I'm going to Enigma on Tuesday (after fitting at Bike Whisperer). Probably to get an XCR frame of some sort, probably a trad geo Extensor.

    Will post my thoughts afterwards.
  • bigpikle
    bigpikle Posts: 1,690
    I have 2 steel Enigmas - brilliant, and good service from the crew.

    Dont know Burls but sure you wont go far wrong with either....
    Your Past is Not Your Potential...
  • Evil Laugh
    Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
    Well got back from Enigma this evening. Nice bunch, couldnt have been more accommodating seeing as i got there when they were closing and i still got 2 test rides in.

    Going back next week to test for longer and with my own wheels and talk to them more about the design while Mark is there. Had a fitting first at Bike Whisperer first today and need to make sure that is spot on before committing to frame numbers. Jim thinks my idea for the frame is a little nuts i think but he's working with me after a little persuasion. Really excited about how this is gonna turn out, definitely a one off.

    Would say it's well worth going to see them but leave earlier than me and get a good afternoon there. There's some lovely bikes, just a shame they're all clad in that Campag nonsense. :wink:

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