Titanium Etape from Enigma.

Chalky46 · January 2019

Hi all, my first post.

I've had lots of bikes in the past. Few Aluminium and lots of carbon. I'm now on the hunt for a titanium bike that I can may be keep for ever. It would also be nice to buy British. Ive been chatting to Jim walker the managing director from Enigma over the last week and I can honestly say you can not fault the guy for how helpful and patient the guy has been. He has answered every email in detail and gone into so much detail over the phone to help me make a decision of what bike is for me. I've been toying with the Etape or Escape and when I finally get all the money together it will be the Etape. I currently ride an Sworks Tarmac SL6 in a 61cm. I will mainly want the bike for a bit of touring, winter road riding and light gravel following my son. I will need to go for a 60cm Etape which should suit my 6ft 3inch 95kg frame.
If anyone has the Etape and can give me there honest opinion of the bike or maybe someone recommends I should go and visit Enigma before I buy would be helpful. I was thinking about getting a bike fit off enigma and have a frame custom made but I'm sure one off the peg will suit. I've never had a problem before.
Thanks.

superkenners · January 2019

Always fancied an Enigma, but since they seriously jacked up their prices a while back thought I wouldn't bother. Other options for the money. I think some of the frames are still made in the Far East, unless its bespoke. But that may have changed so don't take it as gospel!

Why not try one of the custom builders like Saffron?

Chalky46 · January 2019

I've just checked out saffron. They specialise in steel and stainless steel only.

pilot_pete · January 2019

You do know that the Etape frame is not made in Britain don’t you? They are ‘designed and finished’ in Britain. I believe it is only the top end frames that are actually made in Britain now, depends if that matters to you or not.

There are other options to consider, especially if you are not insisting on a frame actually made in Britain. Off the top of my head:

1. Reilly Cycleworks
2. J Laverack
3. Burls
4. Travers
5. Wittson
6. Vaaru
7. J Guillem
8. Nua
9. Seven (available through UK importers such as Sigma)
10. Sabbath

And those of the ones I can think of, not all British, but I’m guessing we’ve established that a British built frame is not your priority...

PP

Chalky46 · January 2019

Yes I do know only the top end frames are made in England but as long as they can give me the customer service level I have received lately from Jim Walker managing director from Enigma then I'm all ears. Also as long as the frame will be replaced or repaired as quickly and it will definitely fit a 6ft 3inch guy correctly and not be fobbed off by telling me there 59cm "will fit me fine" when I know by looking at the geometry measurements it will be on the small side(Reilly). Just like that company pinnacle did to me one year who really only cater for people up to 6ft 2inches.

k3vinjam3s · January 2019

I would like to recommend justin burls. Im the same size and weight as you and went for a custom designed titanium frame from burls. Dealt with justin direct and cannot fault any part of the service. Every email answered and a long phone chat cemented my faith. Bought the frame and built myself and can honestly say i dont think ill be looking for another bike for a long time.

pilot_pete · January 2019

And Burls are significantly cheaper than Enigma. If I recall correctly Justin gets his frames made in Russia doesn’t he, by ex Soviet era submarine welders!

PP

handful · January 2019

Hi

I'm currently in the same boat as you, looking for a Ti. I'm going to see Vaaru tomorrow if the snow allows. I've also seen Reilly in Brighton, nice bikes but not impressed with the customer service. James at Vaaru has been excellent so far, will report back after tomorrow!

k3vinjam3s · February 2019

Pilot Pete wrote:

And Burls are significantly cheaper than Enigma. If I recall correctly Justin gets his frames made in Russia doesn’t he, by ex Soviet era submarine welders!

PP

Yes russia it is. Think i paid around £1700 for frame and fork and chris king headset.

I

carl_p · February 2019

I bought a used Enigma Etape frame and forks off ebay for £570, no point in spending mega bucks on a brand new one in my opinion as they should last a lifetime.
It's a sweet ride, not the lightest but with the right wheels is plenty quick enough and looks stunning when cleaned up. It feels solid, handles beautifully and just wafts along. Plenty of clearance for full mudguards and 25mm tyres (28s might be tight) too.
I replaced the Enigma full carbon forks as the previous owner had cut the steerer too short for my liking. Instead I got some Kinesis forks and although with a alloy steerer for some reason transformed the handling of the bike so I wouldn't waste money customising anything. Kinesis forks gave better clearance for mudguards too.
The decals on the top tube aren't the best and are peeling so I'll remove soon, however I also had a Van Nicholas which was the same, so I think it's just a titanium thing. Not an issue as the less crap on a Ti frame the better.
I won't be parting with it anytime soon.

flasher · February 2019

I had a Burls Ti custom winter bike frame made for me and it is lovely, Justin was great to work with, couldn't be happier, 4 years later it still looks new (after a wash)!

richiegwy · March 2019

Pilot Pete wrote:

You do know that the Etape frame is not made in Britain don’t you? They are ‘designed and finished’ in Britain. I believe it is only the top end frames that are actually made in Britain now, depends if that matters to you or not.

There are other options to consider, especially if you are not insisting on a frame actually made in Britain. Off the top of my head:

1. Reilly Cycleworks
2. J Laverack
3. Burls
4. Travers
5. Wittson
6. Vaaru
7. J Guillem
8. Nua
9. Seven (available through UK importers such as Sigma)
10. Sabbath

And those of the ones I can think of, not all British, but I’m guessing we’ve established that a British built frame is not your priority...

PP

Am I right in assuming none of these are made in the UK? I am considering some of these but fancy them being built by the builder themselves in the UK, particularly Reilly

boblo · March 2019

I have an Etape disc that's a couple of years old now. It's built with Force 22 and Hunt 4 Season wheels so reasonably light. I use it as per the OP. It's a nice bike and just gets on with it in an unfussed way. I also had the sticker type decals and decided they were not for me almost immediately. Enigma were really good about me sending back the frame and having them mirror polished, much more to my liking.

I also ride a CAADX for similar duties. Bizarrely, they are very similar on the road which is both a disappointment and a good thing. I had the CAADX first and it's brilliant. Ergo, so is the Etape but for a few quid more.

PM me if you need any more detail on the Etape.

edward.s · March 2019

I've a Kinesis GF Ti that I am very happy with. Its not an out-and-out racer but its as fast as an old man needs it to be and very comfortable. I am really pleased with it. Built up from frame with some handbuilt wheels from Spokesman and a Shimano groupset.

Bordersroadie · March 2019

Flasher wrote:

I had a Burls Ti custom winter bike frame made for me and it is lovely, Justin was great to work with, couldn't be happier, 4 years later it still looks new (after a wash)!

Another vote for Burls here.

A beautifully-made made-to-measure frame for less cost than an off the shelf Enigma, and with great service during design and ordering. Five weeks lead time.

Five years on, mine is as good as new. Frame weight 1320g on a Park scale, so lighter than expected too - bonus!

Titanium Etape from Enigma.

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