Just in time for the advent of the winter commuting stroke training season, an Enigma Ethos frame has dropped through the RCUK letterbox…
The Sussex-based builder describes the Ethos as being “Designed and built with ultimate versatility in mind, and constructed from a carefully selected mix of Columbus Life triple-butted niobium steel tubes for a lightweight and very responsive frame. The perfect choice for audax, light touring, winter riding and commuting, the Ethos delivers the wonderful road feel and comfort of steel frames of old but in a very contemporary package.”
Meanwhile, Columbus says Life is “the only serious choice for a competition or top-of-the-line frame, where lightweight and reliability are essential.” So I’m expecting top-level performance and reliability in one versatile, comfortable package. It’s what I need for the forthcoming reliability trial season, for sure.
The frame is micro-TIG-welded and a custom build, an option that adds £80 to the basic price. Besides having custom geometry, it has a wuide variety of “braze-ons” but lacks a pair of bottle cage bosses on the seat tube. I am happy with just the one bottle and like the uncluttered look. Various parts sport the polished stainless finish usually offered on the firm’s Excellence model.
Also custom-built is the steel fork, which has a nicely retro-styled crown, 1 1/8″ steerer and generous curvature to the blades, which should take some of the sting out of road shocks.
Next stop: the build
Enigma Ethos from £925 (frame only); steel fork £200; standard sizes 52, 54, 56, 57, 59cm
