In May 2015, Engineered Bicycles is launching the Gezel disc road frameset – designed to be the ‘ultimate all-weather mile eater’. A bike for big days in the saddle; whenever, wherever – the Gezel came about largely as a response to customer feedback.
Several customers had asked about a training machine that could be used all year round, but with a fit and character more like their normal road bike. The whole story, however, goes further back to 2009 when the first prototype was conceived. It started as a titanium ‘super-commuter’ – a disc braked road bike designed to take the battering of the daily commute, but still feel quick and nimble.
This concept has now been refined to create Gezel. Gezel could fashionably be called an ‘adventure bike’, and it does indeed fulfil this function. But the platform is equally suited as a Sunday best machine capable of tackling any sportive/Gran Fondo a rider might throw at it from Etape to Roubaix.
The name Gezel is old-fashioned Dutch for journeyman or companion, which is a sentiment that the company feels befits a bike that will see riders through long, hard days in the saddle. As with all Engineered bikes, the naming is rooted in Dutch/Flemish – the language of a region arguably synonymous with true cycling grit – but also a nod to the Southern African roots of company founder David Fong.
A fully customisable platform allows the customer to create a truly bespoke bike. According to Engineeered, this carries the design integrity riders would expect from an off-the-shelf brand. Gezel is available in standard sizing or made-to-measure. ‘Standard sizing provides fit close to a normal road machine.’ The end result is a versatile platform suitable for year-round rides, unpaved ‘gravel’ events, winter training, sportives, light touring, etc.
All bikes are designed in Bristol, UK, hand crafted in Italy and custom finished in Bristol.
Steel was chosen as the frame material. While it may be an obvious choice, a range of materials were considered before settling on steel. A high quality steel tubeset proved the best way of achieving the combination of stiffness and compliance. Another consideration in the choice of steel tubing was overall resilience.
Given the requirement for robustness, the specific Dedacciai tubes selected have the profiles and wall thicknesses to give the frame the necessary stiffness and resilience but maintain a lively feel. The frame is designed to accept a 27.2mm seat post to maximise rider comfort. A 31.8mm OD seat tube ensures a simple, rigid connection for the front derailleur without the need for shims.
Gear cabling for mechanical drivetrains (provision for Di2 cabling internally is provided as a no-cost option) is external. External cables helps keep maintenance straightforward without adding the needless weight of internal guide tubes.
The standard fork is full carbon (steerer and legs) with robust aluminium dropouts. The geometry has been adapted from that of a race bike to be nimble ‘without being a handful in sketchy conditions.’ Similarly, the fit of the standard sizes is similar to that of a race bike, with some concessions made for comfort on longer rides.
As with all Engineered frames, 100% custom fit and geometry is available. In order to ensure top-drawer finishing, Gezel, like all Engineered frames, is carefully painted. All Gezel frames are given a complete internal and external anti-corrosion treatment to provide additional longevity.
In keeping with the form-follows-function-ethos that is applied to an Engineered frame, the drive side chain stay is chrome plated to increase the durability of the finish in this area. As standard, Gezel comes in Engineered Grey with highlights in one of the brand’s standard colours. As each Engineered frame is made to order, the company encourages its clients to ‘realise their vision and create something extra special, from a custom colour through to bespoke graphics.’
