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Gorgeous Custom Steel Naked TT Bike from Rob English

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Rob English Naked TT steel time trial racing bicycle

Over the years, we’ve become quite enamored with Rob English’s steel bicycle handiwork. Anyone that can build up a 10.8lb road bike with this material earns instant respect.

His latest is a full custom stealth Di2 time trial bike for an Oregon customer. The frame is similar to his own TT bike with an ultra low front end that creates a one-piece fork/aerobar/bullhorn assembly. All wiring and cables are minimized and run internally, and a custom battery is hidden in the seatpost with a micro-USB charging port.

UPDATE: The frameset would run about $5,000. Built as shown with the Zipps you’re looking at around $11,500!

What we love about his bikes is the attention to detail, and this one in particular has some really slick details…

Rob English Naked TT steel time trial racing bicycle

The most dramatic feature of the bike is the steering section. The bullhorn handlebars are based at the fork’s crown, which is partially offset forward of the steerer tube. It’s super clean, and the front brake is tucked in so well the cable pierces the steerer tube to make it all fit.

Rob English Naked TT steel time trial racing bicycle

Brake cables are hidden inside the bullhorn blades. On the right, the front brake housing pops out only long enough to get straight to the TRP caliper. The Di2 controller is hidden in the aero extensions, collecting wires from button shifters on both the brakes and aero extensions. A single wire exits from the left side to run to the junction box, battery and derailleurs.

Logos were blasted into the steel by Colorworks before the entire frame and parts were clearcoated.

Rob English Naked TT steel time trial racing bicycle

Note the shaping of the tubes at the joints, particularly the seatstay at the dropout.

Rob English Naked TT steel time trial racing bicycle

Battery is hidden in the post with a small charging port at the top (shown uncovered here, there’s a rubber plug over it during riding). Rear brake cable pops out just in front of the bottom bracket and feeds straight into the TriRig Omega center pull TT brake.

Rob English Naked TT steel time trial racing bicycle

Rob English Naked TT steel time trial racing bicycle

As shown here, claimed weight is 18lbs. See more of his bikes at EnglishCycles.com.

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Rabi
Rabi
11 years ago

Abso-bloody-lutely gorgeous. Hats off to Rob English, she truly is a work of art.

Patrick Fowler
11 years ago

AWESOME!!

pmurf
pmurf
11 years ago

Rob’s stuff is so sick. One of the most innovative builders out there – not only in steel, but in cycling in general.

Nash
Nash
11 years ago

Now that should be in the Tate!

pete
pete
11 years ago

why are the welds a different color? great craftsmanship!

MattS
11 years ago

I’d expect that would be brass, Pete. The technique is called ‘fillet brazing,’ in contrast to TIG welding, for example.

This is one of the few TT bikes I’ve ever seen that I really like. Constructeur quality.

jaas
jaas
11 years ago

!!!!

Carl Hoefer
Carl Hoefer
11 years ago

Rob is a friend, competitor, and amazing builder and this bike is emblematic of what he can build.

Jonny
Jonny
11 years ago

His bikes are all beautiful… Except for the super skinny seat-stays, what’s with that jive tomfoolery?

sam
sam
11 years ago

Usually love the English bikes. This however is a bit hard on the peepers. But to each their own;)

Steve
11 years ago

Absolutely beautiful. I’m not sure the UCI would approve of the bar height though!

Tom
Tom
11 years ago

Amazing work by Rob!
Never seen so many consecutive positive comments on BR!

John
John
11 years ago

@pete The welds are a different color because they are not welds at all. it is a fillet brazed frame.

Chris
Chris
11 years ago

He really reminds me of the old guys like Rene Herse who built complete bikes, not just a frame with a bunch of stock parts bolted to them. It’s amazing the level of thought and detail in something like this. Plus it’s probably no more expensive than a stock carbon TT bike.

Nick
Nick
11 years ago

This is a horizontal top tube away from absolute lust

mikko159
mikko159
11 years ago

Gorgeus!!!!

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