For 2008 Enigma has added the £899 Eclipse to its range of titanium frames, making Enigma ownership considerably less costly than when the company first launched two years ago. The new frame made its public debut at the London Cycle Show, where, unless you're really familiar with the Enigma range, you'd have been hard pushed to tell it was the company's new entry-level bike.
That's because it's an unlikely looking frame for the price, and most people wouldn't think twice if it held a much higher price tag. Along with Enigma's trademark classy decals, the frame is a collection of profiled tubes all smoothly welded together. There are even some details not seen before on Engimas, such as the depressed head tube logo - which we're sure will trickle up the range - on the integrated headtube.
Titanium has always remained an expensive option, at least when put next to steel or aluminum offerings, but prices continue to fall and there are now more than a few sub-£1,000 choices. While you don't get double butted tubing at this price, the Eclipse does get profiled tubes, with the top and down tubes ovalised at their ends, and flared chainstays. The dropouts have any excess material machined out, with the driveside getting a replaceable derailleur hanger. Frame weight for a medium is a claimed 1.36kg.
In making the Enigma brand more accessible, there's been no loss of quality. The level of workmanship we're witnessing from Taiwan, where the Enigma frames are made, is quite impressive. We'll find out how the Eclipse performs in an upcoming road test.
As well as the frame costing £899, full builds start from £1,599 (with a Campagnolo Veloce build). Visit www.enigmabikes.com for more information.
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Disgruntled Goat
