The brief

Steve was no stranger to BMCR bike builds. We built him a Soma Wolverine many years ago, but it was reaching the end of its life as a gravel bike.

Well, that, and the frame got broken. *cough*

It was new gravel bike time.

Steve wanted something lighter, faster, and more fun than the Wolverine, something that could live up to the speed and performance he was looking for. Enter the Gothic Aix.

He also had a particular colour scheme in mind: blue/black, and the blue had to be exactly right.

Did we mention that Steve is blue/green colourblind?

Ah, we love a challenge.

The bike

Let's start with the groupset. When it comes to deciding between Shimano and SRAM, it really is a matter of personal preference as both platforms work well when set up correctly. As Steve was already used to Shimano on his other bikes, that's what we went with. In GRX Di2, of course. As we always say, if you can go electronic, do it.

Steve was also a big fan of SQLab saddles, and the bump-absorbing Redshift Shockstop suspension headstem, so they were the next additions. He also loves Time pedals, so on they went.

We hand-built a set of Gothic Cycles wheels with carbon rims and DT Swiss hubs, and opted for Teravail Rutland tyres for speed and grip on gravel.

More weight-shaving goodness: Garbaruk gravel crankset, cassette, chainring and jockey wheels, for brilliant performance and sheer good looks; the Newmen carbon seat post, which also helps with shock absorption; a Ciclovation carbon bottle cage; and titanium bolts throughout, colour-coordinated of course.

To top off the aesthetic, a Garbaruk top cap, and Hope spacers and lockrings. Because when a blue-green colourblind person wants a blue bike, you cram blue into every possible spot.

And here's Steve's beast: light, performance-oriented, and absolutely stunning. As its new owner says, "The bike is fantastic!"

Want your own fantastic beast? Get in touch.

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