Elle's Purple One - Road/Light Touring Bike.

Elle recently moved from Australia to London, and got in touch before her move saying,

"The first thing I need to get is a new bike!"

Elle wanted a practical bike that would be as at home on fast club rides as it would on all the future trips she has planned.  This is going to be her 'Forever Bike'. 

For the frame we went for Reynolds 853 pro team for the main triangle and lovely raw polished XCR to jazz up the rear and avoid worrying about paint chips.  This was paired with the ENVE Gravel road fork, to give wider tyre clearance than your average road bike, and the option to use their integrated carbon mudguard, as the weather's not as nice here as it is back home!  We went for disc brakes and through axles front and rear, for precise handling and reliable braking in all weather and when carrying a load.  To keep everything looking clean on this small build we internally routed the rear disc brake hose and used the new flat mount brake standard.

For the build Elle chose her dream kit, a Dura Ace group with hydraulic brakes, Chris King here there and everywhere and some lovely finishing kit from Michaux Club, Thomson, and some 28c tubeless tyres for a bit of added comfort.

"I wanted a beautiful bike that fit me properly, had all the latest bells and whistles and that I'd be happy to ride in a bunch but that I could also take touring.  Caren understood what I was after and my bike has exceeded all of my requirements and expectations. I will be happily riding my Hartley for many years to come."  - Elle

The Frame: Bespoke 700c fillet brazed road bike ready for touring.  44mm Headtube.

Tubing: Reynolds 853 main triangle and polished XCR rear triangle. 

Wheelset: H Plus Son Hydra Rims on Chris King R45 centre lock disc hubs.

Forks: Carbon ENVE Gravel road fork with thru axel.

Groupset: Dura Ace Hydraulic Disc groupset.

Finishing Kit: Cinelli Dinamo Stem, Thompson Masterpiece, Michaux Club Bar Tape, Chris King BB and Headset.

Paint: Custom paint work in metallic candy purple with contrast name in red. Fork, Stem, bars painted to match.

Details: Solid Silver hand cut head badge, internal cabling for rear brake. Polished stainless steel asymetric bridge, asymetric seat cluster.

Image Credit: Sebastien Klein

All Hartley Cycles custom frame builds and bespoke bicycles are handmade in London with great care and attention by Frame Builder Caren Hartley