EXCELLENCE

The tubes we use:

Columbus Spirit

It’s a special micro alloyed steel with Manganese, Chrome, Nickel, Molybdenum and Niobium. In the Columbus research and development tradition it can be considered the evolution from the Thermacrom and Nivacrom alloy. It’s designed to provide better mechanical properties and greater resistance to atmospheric corrosion than conventional carbon steels. For every top-of-the-line and competition frames where lightness and high reliability are fundamental. Like Vanadium in Thermacrom steel, Niobium increases yield strength by precipitation hardening and acts for refinement of grain size. Thanks to the special Columbus chemical composition, the combined effect of precipitation strengthening, and grain refinement the properties are incredibly increased inith respect. To standard steels. Niobium is a more effective strengthening agent than Vanadium. After mechanical deformation working and drawing, NIOBIUM undergoes a special heat treatment that gives the steel its final characteristics; this heat treatment is designed to minimize the tubes distortion and decarbonization phenomena. Columbus heat treatment results in a super fine high-strength microstructure of bainite, wich means high strength, hardness and long fatigue life.
Mechanical characteristics: Ultimate tensile strength = 1050 ÷ 1250 MPa / Yeld strength: min 750 MPa / Minimum elongation: 14%

Columbus XCR

In cooperation with Trafiltubi ed Aubert & Duval, the new Columbus seamless tube set in stainless steel named XCr, is created. Starting form a specific request of the military industry, looking for a valid substitute for cadmium plated temper hardening steels which could no longer be produced because of their highly polluting manufacturing process, a new martensitic stainless steel with high content of Chromium and Molybdenum and Nickel as alloy elements which increase the mechanical and weldability characteristics, was created. The martensitic main structure contains traces of austenite that reduces the possibility of crack formation especially during the welding process.
The great weldability properties of the new XCr stainless steel, together with its high fatigue resistance and its extraordinary geometrical stability at high temperatures, make this material the natural element for welded structures, such as bicycle frames. Thanks to the high stiffness/weight and UTS/weight ratios (better than titanium and aluminium alloys) together with the elevated characteristics of corrosion resistance, it is possible to manufacture triple butted tubes to build extremely light and indestructible frames.

Reynolds 953

Reynold' latest innovation takes steel alloys into a new league. By utilising a specially developed martensitic-aging stainless steel alloy that can achieve tensile strength in excess of 2000 MPa, with a strength-to-weight ratio that can take on the best in the world. The resilient ride of steel, very high impact strength (similar to armour plating) and fatigue resistance combine to provide an extraordinary material that can now be used for tubing.

Reynolds work with directly with fabricators to provide recommended production techniques, so that the challenges inherent in using an extremely hard metal can be overcome... 953 - the Age of the SuperSteel.

Why it works: UTS: 1750-2050 MPa, density 7.8 gm/cc
High strength and stainless designation from very low carbon, chromium, nickel, titanium, manganese etc. Iron-Nickel martensitic lath crystals are formed after annealing/cooling and the formation of fine inter-metallic precipitates after ageing are reflected in the high tensile strength but reasonably ductile properties. Low carbides allow machinability despite the near tool steel hardness.

Reynolds 853

The benefits of air-hardening steels are particularly noticeable in the weld area where, unlike conventional steel alloys, strength can actually increase after cooling in air immediately after welding. 853 is heat-treated to give high strength and damage resistance, and the steel properties allow thin walls to be used, so that lower weight but fatigue-resistant structures can be made.

Why it works: UTS: 1250-1400 MPa, density 7.78 gm/cc
The chemistry includes carbon, manganese, chrome, molybdenum, silicon, copper.
The interaction between the alloys result in a fine grain structure that forms with air-cooling without the traditional "quenching" (fast cooling in water or oil) process. High strength from bainitic phase steel after a series of cold-working operations.
Heat-treatment to the 853 specification raises the yield strength for the entire tube, increasing dent and impact resistance.

The Enigma Excellence is our exclusive Mark Reilly signature range and all frames are handmade on an individual basis and only in steel.

Mark is a master frame-builder, who has over 23 years experience of building frames of the highest quality. Having made frames for National and World champions, pro teams such as the Linda McCartney squad and cycling legends such as Sean Yates, Mark has gained knowledge and experience that is second to none.

All frames are made as a one off, for a fully custom experience. The customer can choose the tube set, lugs, braze on’s and paint scheme along with the various options such as stainless steel frame parts, bb shells etc.

We use micro-cast lugs from Henry James and Long Shen as they are the best and there are many different styles to choose from. Frames are silver brazed because silver has a very low melting point, which leaves the tubes un-affected by heat. Using silver is expensive, but we believe it to be the best way of joining lugged frames. Tubes come from Columbus or Reynolds and any sets not listed are still available.

Prices

Lugged frames, including steel forks:

Columbus SL, with cast lugs and bb
£1199.00

Columbus Spirit with cast lugs and bb
£1299.00

Reynolds 853 with cast lugs and bb
£1299.00

Columbus XCR with cast lugs and bb
£1499.00

Reynolds 953 with cast lugs and bb
£1499.00

Mirror polished stainless steel head lugs
£200.00

Mirror polished stainless steel seat lug
£150.00

Mirror polished stainless braze-ons/dropouts
£100.00

Mirror polished stainless steel BB shell
£250.00

Mirror polished stainless steel fork crown
£100.00

Mirror logos on XCR/953
£75.00

Custom lug carving
£100.00

Comined mirror polished package, Head lugs, BB shell, braze ons-dropouts, seat lug, fork crown and BB shell.
£500.00

Any other requirements, please contact Mark, mark@enigmabikes.com