This bike will be equally at home on week long holidays in the Alps as it would be doing Paris Roubaix - I will certainly be taking it to do both!
I recently bought an Enigma Excel for my 40th birthday from the guys at Enigma.
Initially I wanted a bike that would replace a long standing but very effective winter warrior. However having visited the Enigma showroom down in Hailsham, I quickly got excited about all of the beautiful options, and plumped for much more than a winter replacement. Dealing with the Enigma team was great! I was looking to move to not only a new frame and geometry, but to using disc brakes and a brand new group set as well. The team spent some real quality time with me understanding how i liked to ride, what sort of riding i would be doing, how flexible I was and how I wanted to feel on the bike. I ended up with a buiId that I was confident would deliver everything I required and with bags of excitement to boot.
The team were excellent in getting my bike built and in providing guidance all the way regarding group sets to buy wheels, and importantly all the little bits like bottom brackets and axle setups. They took all the guess work out of the equation for me. At the 11th hour we were challenged by the impending Corona virus restrictions, but the team did everything they could to ensure the bike was ready and delivered to me in time. Thank goodness!! My new toy has certainly taken the heat out of social distancing. All the little elements like finishing touches added to the excitement, with headsets and badges carefully coordinated to make the perfect finish for me.
The bike itself is great. I have been riding it now for 3 weeks and it hasn't missed a beat. It really will become my go anywhere and do anything option. I have ridden some longer distance rides and it's very comfortable, mainly owing to the setup on the jig in the Enigma workshop. That has ensured the frame is snug beneath me, positioning me exactly the way I need for the type of riding I do. I wanted a bike that could stand the test of English winters but also provide excitement on summer days. So far it feels like it will deliver on all fronts.
The climbing is spot on, and the bike feels really assured under me and reacts just as you would want. No discernible flex even when I have sought out the steepest of ramps in the North Downs. Pulling hard on the bike when out of the saddle is no issue and it stays true getting all my power down. Its the same with descending, I have great confidence that the bike goes exactly where I want it too.
In short this bike will be equally at home on week long holidays in the Alps as it would be doing Paris Roubaix - i will certainly be taking it to do both!
Huge thanks to the Enigma team for making the purchase a great experience - I am expecting years of fun and enjoyment from my new favourite toy.
Thanks Mike
This bike has opened up new "roads" for me
This weekend I had the first ride on my new Endeavour. I had a lot of fun exploring roads nearby that until now were out of reach because of the road surface. The bike feels really nice and the fitting seems perfect. I'm very happy with it, the bike has opened up some new "roads" for me.
Thanks again!
Kind regards, Sjoerd
During August 2018 I got a new job within a reasonable cycling range from my house. So, I began to search for a commuting and durable bike as an alternative to my normal road bike. During my search the attention was drawn to cross bikes in the beginning as “normal” carbon frames, but more frequently the TI-frames to gravel bikes popped up from various manufactures.
I chose the best. Since then I am the very proud owner an Enigma Escape, it's safe and fast and carries me from my home though small country roads in rainy days, sunny days, in windy days and snowy days to my job and back. I can go by the country roads or take a longer “shortcut” on the forest roads. The bike takes me wherever.
I cannot imagine any better bike for that purpose. The good looks are an extra plus that confirms that qualities that means as much
Soren
Top bikes from a top team
The Evade is my third Enigma (started with an Esprit and still also have an Etape) and is a delightful machine, really well suited to munching the miles comfortably. As well as absorbing much of the buzz from our poor roads, it’s also a very positively handling bike, instilling confidence and increasing the fun factor on fast and winding descents.
Since my first Enigma, 6 club members have also bought one. It’s not just the looks or the performance of Enigmas that make them desirable, but it’s the full customer service package you get when you deal with the guys – whether you order online or pay a visit to Hailsham, you just know you’re going to be treated well – and that follows into after-sales care too.
Top bikes from a top team!
It’s my best purchase ever
My Enigma Etape is over 6 years old and still feels like a new bike. I use it every week, sometimes every day. It mainly gets compliments when people know what it is and ask about it without me mentioning anything. However I know it just looks like a nice bike to most folk, yet understated due to no paint on the frame. It’s my best purchase ever. It’s going on a three week bike camping tour with me very shortly
Enigma bikes are made with the highest level of craftsmanship and materials available, in a colour scheme of your choice. The only limitation is your own imagination.......
The Enigma Elite is as light as carbon, as stiff as carbon and as comfortable as titanium!
I bought my Enigma Elite Steel frame set for comfort on long rides but built up with Ultegra R8000 groupset, Hunt wheels and full Enigma finishing kit I quickly realised that this bike is so much more than a comfortable long distance ride.
The Enigma Elite is as light as carbon, as stiff as carbon and as comfortable as titanium! It easily gobbles up mile after audax mile.
Point it uphill and it will climb as well as any super lightweight steed.
Race for the cafe sign and it will mix it with any aero bike.
Stamp on the pedals and it will put a big grin on your face.
This is the absolute do it all and do it all exceptionally well bike and I love it !!!!!
Superb!
Here's some photos showing how ive taken the bike on exactly the types of surface I wanted it for - the pristine tarmac of Mallorca and the gravel tracks of mountainous midwales. Bike performed equally well on both.
Thanks very much
My Escape has proved to be a versatile “swiss army knife"
My Escape has proved to be a versatile “swiss army knife” in that it’s just as good at long fast-paced road rides with nimble 700c x 30c tyres as it is on burly off-road jaunts with a pair of beefy 650b x 47cs.
The frame is stiff (whilst not unrelentingly so) and light enough to keep pace with “pure” road bikes. Titanium also sheds dirt easily and paint chips are now a thing of the past!
Richard from the Enigma team accurately assisted me on sizing queries and responded to all emails promptly and professionally.
Having previously owned a handmade steel bicycle from another UK frame-builder, I’ve found Enigma to be head and shoulders above in terms of communication and general client service.
My custom Excel has been a joy to own and ride since day one
My custom Excel has been a joy to own and ride since day one. I've ridden it in crits, on club runs, up cols, round lanes ... and loved every minute of it.
The craftsmanship, design and finish are all superb; the feel of the bike is exquisite and it looks stunning. I wouldn't swap it for a carbon bike and I'm intending to ride it for at least another thirty years!
Still Love riding it over my other road bikes
My brief to Enigma was simple, I wanted a bike I could ride all day without feeling broken, but with classic lines and the latest Di2 and Disc brakes.
I went down to Enigma for a bike fitting, after which we went through the design on the CAD system and looked at the various paint finish and designs on display, within a couple of hours I walked out with the completed design.
Six weeks later I picked up the finished bike, it was everything I wanted and more, comfortable, quick and nimble and it draws a lot of admiring glances. I’ve done several week longs trips to the Alps, Pyrenees and Northern Spain, overseas Sportives including the Paris-Roubaix, and thousands of miles in the UK with no problems at all. Still Love riding it over my other road bikes.
Pictured on Covadonga HC climb, Spain.
I always knew that the comfort would be great, but it is really something else.
I’ve done 1000+km on it now and it really is a lovely ride. Always knew that the comfort would be great, but it is really something else. But it doesn’t feel sloppy at all, it’s super stiff and really goes when you give it some gas, which probably isn’t that much with me though
The colour is lovely, especially when we get the rare sunny day here in Hamburg then it really pops! The pictures really don’t do it justice.
So big thanks to all of you again and I wish you guys a great summer.
If you want my comments for the Evade, love it, love it, love it!!!
Hi Greg,
Thought you might be interested in the attached picture. Not only did the Evade pass 2,000 miles today but also achieved the summit on Mont Ventoux.
I thought the Etape was brilliant but if you want my comments for the Evade, love it, love it, love it!!!
Please give my best to Jim, All the best
The Evoke is a sleek, beautiful machine
I’ve had my Enigma Evoke for a year now and ridden it on Audaxes, sportives, a C2C tour, and weekly club runs, on some pretty poor roads.The Evoke is a sleek, beautiful machine. It’s fast and agile yet very comfortable, so less fatiguing on longer rides.The balance and ride quality of the frame is second to none, inspiring confidence on corners and steep descents.
The bike performs faultlessly wherever it is taken & is extremely comfortable
I've had my Etape a couple of months now & covered well over a thousand miles, mainly on tarmac, but have had the occasional jaunt on gravel tracks & cobbled climbs. The bike performs faultlessly wherever it is taken & is extremely comfortable even when spending over 10 hours in the saddle. Already saving for my next Enigma.
I’m continually amazed that something so comfy can be so stupidly quick and responsive.
“I tested a couple of bikes at Enigma and this was the one. Floaty comfortable yet sharp as a tack. I’m continually amazed that something so comfy can be so stupidly quick and responsive.”
The Excel performed to perfection and was lusted over by most of the riders
Quick update on HotChillee Cape Rouleur event in SA. Great event riding over 450 miles in 5 days. Arrived in Cape Town yesterday ready for Cape Town Cycle Tour tomorrow. The Excel performed to perfection and was lusted over by most of the riders including all the ride captains.
Thanks Enigma for producing a great bike. She made my tour!
With the gravel wheels its awesome
Just went out Saturday, feels great! With the gravel wheels its awesome, still goes well on the road and you can hack off on the trails, perfect… Even better with MTB shoes.
Looking forward to Strava downhill road PBs on it!
Bike is going magnificently and looks great!.
Bike is going magnificently, great sizing, gears, wheels and brakes all good and looks great!. Descending is a dream, even on the climbs I’m putting in some good strava times, much better than the old touring bike and just a shade slower than the carbon race bike
Regards
This bike is firkin amazing. 50 miles up and I feel like a kid again
Greg,
This bike is firkin amazing. 50 miles up and I feel like a kid again... no black clouds hanging round my soul and I now have ear worm from the goldfinches and wrens singing amongst the hedgerows of the Pilgrims Way. Thank you all so much. The attention to detail and customer service which Enigma deploy is refreshing and exemplary and I wish you all every success with your future.
Kindest Regards
It has ticked every box in all conditions
I took delivery of my semi-custom Evoke in May of last year. I've had the most amazing summer of riding on it. It has ticked every box in all conditions.
Very comfortable on long days in the saddle, but also never found wanting with its responsive frame on shorter sharper rides and big climbs. Far and away the best frame I've ridden. Happy man! Thanks again.
It has proved to be very comfortable, and a very capable climber
Just back from a couple of hundred miles around Ardnamurchan and Mull and the bike is fantastic. Over the last 30 years I've been striving for a road/mountain/fixed/touring bike that I absolutely love and your frame has provided the last piece in that jigsaw for touring. It has proved to be very comfortable, a very capable climber and not a hint of shimmy (even loaded up) at break neck speed downhill. Not the best photos but attached are a camping shot and the bike loaded up at a ferry port. Thank you again, it's a brilliant frame.
Delighted with the full experience with Engima!
Test-riding a bike before I buy is essential for me, and at Enigma HQ they have their range of bikes and in various sizes, which is superb. I was given all the time I wanted to test ride the bike in the surrounding countryside. On my return they (Greg, in my case) did a very thorough job taking my measurements and setting me up on the jig. I left absolutely confident I was ordering the correct sized frame and with a fully comprehensive bike fit. Being into the detail as I am, I very much appreciated their patience and they couldn’t have done more to support me through the purchase of my new and beloved bike.
Enigma being based in the UK and directly accessible to their customers is nice in knowing we’re buying locally, but also reassuring that if anything were to happen to the bike/frame they’re right here to help. Personally, I also really like that Jim is very much involved, even picking up the phones and taking time to chat.
I’m absolutely delighted with my new baby (aka bike) and it’s all the sweeter for having had such a pleasurable experience in getting it. I fully recommend Enigma and their set-up to anyone interested in buying their bikes.
Absolutely awesome, brilliant, I cannot praise it enough
“Hi Jim and Matt, just been out on the Etape, a quick 20mls to try it out…..absolutely awesome, brilliant, I cannot praise it enough, smooth, very quick on the off and the brakes are the best I’ve ever had, as you can tell I’m well impressed. We’ve a 76 mile ride on Thursday so that give it a good trial, cannot wait to show the others….they’ll hear all about it!
A big thankyou to you all for showing me around yesterday, I found it really interesting, all the processes a build goes through, all the attention to detail and above all how passionate you are about what you do. I’ll certainly recommend Enigma to everyone I can.”
February 2020
"There’s a lot to like about the Escape. It’s a handsome bike that rides well and, appropriately specced, it’s suitable for a really broad range of riding activities"
January 2020
"The Escape impeccable ride manners and performance that shines on any road or off-road surface, and the abundance of mounts ensures it's ready for any adventure, big or small, you might have planned" Dave Arthur
January 2020
"The Enigma Endeavour is not only the prettiest looking bike I’ve seen in a while, it’s also one of the sweetest riding, with delightful smoothness and fine handling – on the road and in the woods" Dave Arthur
June 2019
Simply superb. Accelerates beautifully while soaking up road bumps
August 2018
The Etape's updated features and spec make it a machine that's likely to stand the test of time.
September 2017
A truly capable adventure bike - from rough roads to off-road, the Escape handles it.
May 2017
it’s a beautiful bike and one that it’s really hard not to lose your heart to
Dec 2016
Taut, enthusiastic, responsive and springy steel feel to handling to match.
June 2015
The best of British craftsmanship is on show with this beautifully built machine
Dec 2014
For those with refined tastes and an appreciation of craftsmanship, Enigma offer a rewarding alternative
Sep 2014
... it’s a bike for those who want morethan just titanium; riders who appreciate the finest levels of craftsmanship...
June 2014
Somewhere between the slender seatstays and carbon fork, the Equinox happily smooths the worst off poor roads.
Feb 2014
A British hand-built frame to order, that will be going strong well after you hang up your bike shoes.
Jan 2014
Take a deep breath and go back to the future with Enigma's low-key but talented Echo
Nov 2013
The Excel represents a master class in balance. Stiffness together with comfort.
March 2013
The frame has the qualities of an elite race machine, it has a huge amount of stiffness incorporated in its design.
Jan 2013
The Enigma Excel carves out its own spot as a titanium machine which delivers a superb balance of performance and ride quality
Nov 2011
Beautiful frame, beautiful bike and an absolute joy to ride
Aug 2011
Ready for sportives, racing or a bit of both, and good value too