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Wittson’s new titanium gravel bike was designed with Colnago - will launch at Bespoked next week

Wittson Custom Ti Cycles to launch new gravel bike at Bespoked

Among the many delights to feast your eyes on at Bespoked next week will be a brand new titanium gravel bike from Wittson that was designed in partnership with Ernesto Colnago some 20 years ago.

Wittson Custom Ti Cycles was founded by Vidmantas “Vitas” Zukauskas who used to race bicycles in the 1970s before turning his attention to framebuilding, and working for a long time at Colnago. During the 1990s he moved to building his own frames under a string of names before relaunching under the current banner when his son became involved.

titanium gravel frame set effugio 13.jpg

You can read a good interview about the company’s background on their website here.

The new Effugio gravel bike is based on a design that Zukauskas and Colnago apparently sketched 20 years ago and now, with the gravel scene in full swing, is the right time for such a bike. “ When creating Effugio, our family workshop's goal was to machine the most versatile frame possible, which would be simple to maintain and comfortable enough for those really long journeys, we are talking cross-continental adventures! And we believe that we finally created a gravel grinder that ticks all the boxes,” explains the company.

titanium gravel frame set effugio 10.jpg

As you’d expect from a company that specialises in titanium, the Effugio is made from titanium with a hydroformed curved top tube, double butted down tube, hydroformed chainstays with a yoke at the bottom bracket, external disc brake and gear cable routing, and gravel-specific geometry. Claimed frame weight for a medium is 1,710g. There’s tyre clearance for up to 40mm tyres.

titanium gravel frame set effugio 11.jpg

It’s endlessly versatile. It can be run with 2x or 1x drivetrains while the interchangeable Paragon Rocker dropouts allow a singlespeed or Rohloff/Alfine gearhub setup. The externally butted headtube can even accommodate a 1.5” or 1 1/8in fork steerer tube. There are of course mounts for mudguards and racks as well as a third bottle cage.

titanium gravel frame set effugio 07.jpg

Obviously, you can modify the frame to suit your needs. You could ask for more tyre clearance, more eyelets for attaching racks and bottles, an eccentric bottom bracket instead of adjustable dropouts and modify the geometry to your tastes. You can also choose a custom anodizing finish instead of the stock custom sandblasting finish.

titanium gravel frame set effugio 05.jpg

You can see this bike for yourself at Bespoked next week, and we'll take a closer look as well.

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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8 comments

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matthewn5 | 4 years ago
1 like

Hideous. The absolute state of that chain stay, made up of about four separate sections. Ernesto must be horrified with how that's turned out.

Avatar
Freddy56 | 4 years ago
1 like

Too much faff.

The glory of Ti is the eternal, scratch free joy. Wouldnt be long getting board of the horns on the seat stays.

Check out the smooth joy of the Reilly Gradient ti

Avatar
Nepomucene | 4 years ago
1 like

If only I had the 3.5/4k around. That would make a stunning all rounder bike. Ti Frame, Rohloff, belt, disc. Amazing bike

Avatar
Nepomucene | 4 years ago
0 likes

Do I see a seatstay splitter?

Does this mean you can equip it with a Rohloff + Belt?

Avatar
Gintaras replied to Nepomucene | 4 years ago
0 likes
Nepomucene wrote:

Do I see a seatstay splitter?

Does this mean you can equip it with a Rohloff + Belt?

Yep, frame is belt drive compatible

Avatar
Gintaras replied to Nepomucene | 4 years ago
0 likes

Nepomucene wrote:

Do I see a seatstay splitter?

Does this mean you can equip it with a Rohloff + Belt?

swap the inserts and you can either run it geared / single speed  / ROHLOFF / ALFINE. 

Avatar
janusz0 replied to Nepomucene | 4 years ago
0 likes

Nepomucene wrote:

Do I see a seatstay splitter?

Does this mean you can equip it with a Rohloff + Belt?

The dropouts are removable to allow different types, so yes. 

Personally I’m impressed that this guy is hydroforming Titanium and​ making Titanium forks. Yes! Titanium forks at last! Up yours van Nicholas et al, who say it’s too difficult.

Avatar
ktache | 4 years ago
1 like

That is a thing of beauty.

It's nice to be able to comment on a gravel bike, rather than be taken to off-road.cc, I know you want to increase numbers going there, same with the e-bike thing.  There are some nice looking bikes out there, I especially think that tan wall tyres are such a good look, classy.

Perhaps universal membership, with comments popping up on this site?

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