This Made in the USA trend is one we love. Tyson Hart of Civilian is keen on the small batch, made in the US model as well. Asian production is stopped, and Civilian is ramping up to produce frames here in Portland, OR. One may feel a calming sense about the unnamed manufacture (hint hint). Official details are still being inked, however.
The first bike out of the gate for the new Civilian is a cyclocross frameset dubbed the Vive Le Roi. Build options include a single speed belt drive, or a 1 x 11. Framesets will be available as well for those wanting a custom build.
Jump the barrier for full details.
The frameset is constructed using True Temper OX Platinum tubing. The headtube is 44mm, and the bottom bracket is a PF30BB. Rear spacing is 135mm to accommodate disc hubs. And to round it out, the bike comes with some very nice swinging dropouts to accommodate disc, single speed use, a belt drive, and fender mounts (on the production version). The full carbon fork will make use of a 15mm thru axle, disc mounts, and fender mounts. The prototype 56cm frame and uncut fork weigh in at 5 lbs 7 oz. Cost for the Vive Le Roi frameset is $1400
For $3200 you will be able to order the Vive Le Roi B build. This 20 lbs build get s a single speed belt drive setup on an FSA Gossamer crank using a 50t centertrack front gear mated to a 24t center track rear cog. The cockpit is comprised of FSA parts and topped with a Ritchey Comp Streem saddle and Planet Bike gel bar tape. The bike rolls on WTB ST i19 rims that are tubeless ready. They are laced with a 32h 3 cross pattern to Novatec hubs with sealed Japanese bearings. The wheelset gets wrapped with WTB 32c Crosswolf tires. Brakes come by way of TRP. Fitted to this build are 160/140mm rotors and TRP Spyre mechanical brakes. They are actuated by TPR RRL AL-G levers.
The Vive Le Roi G adds two pounds, $200 to the MSRP, and 10 more gears. This 1 x 11 has the same frame, fork, cockpit,and wheelset. The drivetrain is switched to a SRAM Rival 22 shifter, Force 22 WiFli Derailleur, and 11 speed SRAM 1130 cog. Gearing is 11-32 rear with a 40t race face chainring up front.
Having some hands on with the frame, I was impressed with the quality of the prototype. The paint was solid, the graphics and colors look amazing in person, and the parts kit is spot on for the price point. Keep an eye out for these orange beauties online.
