Culprit’s Interbike collection had several of the same adult frames, just with higher end builds moving things to the upper level of componentry. They’ll also start seeing some updated frame features soon, and we’ve got a sneak peek at those at the bottom.
The big news comes on the youth front. Originally, they offered two different kid’s frames, each in two sizes and all using 7005 alloy. The S1/S2 were the base level frames with external routing and fewer features. The Junior 1 and 2 upgraded to a carbon fork with chromoly steerer and an aero seat tube. For 2015, the models will all share the same frame, differentiated only by spec. By using a new frame manufacturer, they were able to reshape the tubes and drop weight. It keeps the rear brake’s internal routing, but loses the aero seat tube in favor of a round one. All told, the frames are about 120g lighter than before!
The real head turner, though, is the addition of an Ultegra Di2 build for under $2,300…
The electronic parts are all here, giving your kid all the parts needed to shift by wire, and those that will fit their hands. The cranks are subbed for 140mm or 152mm length alloy models, with 40/32 or 46/36 CNC’d chainrings on the higher end Junior models.
A round Ritchey seatpost not only allows for a wide range of adjustment, but also hides the seatpost battery.
Headset spacer adapter holds the junction box since the stems are so short.
Frames are Di2 and mechanical ready. So, you know, if you needed an upgrade for your own bike, this might be a cheap way to get Di2 and a high quality road bike for your kid. Just swap a few things around, order yourself a nice crankset and *bam* done. Of course, founder Josh Colp’s reasoning is less selfish. He says that unlike a Microshift setup, this group will grow with the child as they progress to larger and larger frames, helping get many miles out of the purchase.
Complete bike weights are about 16.3 pounds for the Junior 1 and 17.5lbs for Junior 2. The 650C wheeled Junior 2 Di2 retails for $2,350 plus S&H. The Junior 1, which gets 20″ wheels, comes in at $2,295 plus S&H. Check our review of the Culprit Junior here.
For grown folks, the Croz Blade carries on with its stiff, somewhat aero disc-or-rim brake frame. We reviewed it here in one of its original builds, and spec has done nothing but improve since there. For starters, he’s swapped in Reynolds wheels on many of them.
And the new top of the line spec gets a Shimano Dura-Ace 9070 build with Rotor Flow crankset and aero Q-rings. Wheels are Reynolds Aero 46 clincher, supporting a Blktec front cockpit, Token headset and Prologo saddle.
Check out the Blktec components in our Eurobike coverage here.
The bike can be converted to run TRP’s aero linear pull brakes, but this model comes with Shimano’s excellent hydraulic road disc brakes. This one’s shown with a Legion rotor, but bikes will ship with Centerlock rotors. Retail for the complete bike is $7,125 USD plus S&H.
The bikes are shipping with standard QR forks for now, but things will move to thru axles in the near future. They had this prototype fork on hand to show the direction things are headed.
