Enigma Etape winter bike tested

Enigma Etape £999 (frame only) £1,999.99 (as tested) www.enigmabikes.com

Enigma's bikes invariably impress, with the Sussex-based brand turning out beautifully finished titanium frames that continue to find favour with riders wanting something a little special. And that's certainly the case with the Etape, the company's Audax/light touring frameset.

As with the previously tested Condor Fratello and Kinesis Racelight T, the Etape, with its relaxed geometry and rack and guard mounts, is purpose-designed for the rigours of long distance riding. But, as with the other two, RCUK is more interested in the bike's ability as a versatile second machine that can see duty in a number of roles including year-round commuting, winter riding and training.

With that in mind, titanium is a wonderful choice of material. It's legendarily tough, so it should withstand any abuse you can throw its way, and of course there's the comfort. Titanium is renowned for combining good road compliance with just enough stiffness to both reward on challenging rides and look after you.

Cost has traditionally been a stumbling block for titanium, but as each year passes the number of suppliers has increased, making it more affordable and more easily accessible. The Etape uses 3Al/2.5V tubes (titanium alloyed with 3% aluminium and 2.5% vanadium), with an oversized and profiled downtube. There's a noticeable 'hump' just below the bottle bosses, with an ovalised top tube and curved seatstays. The headtube flares top and bottom to incorporate an integrated headset. As well as a slightly longer wheelbase than the other Enigma frames, additional comfort is gained from the svelte rear triangle, with small neat dropouts and a chainstay bridge to up the stiffness.

Mounts allow fitment of mudguard and racks, but the rear triangle only sees enough clearance for 25mm tyres - the other two bikes will take 32mm tyres, but seeing as all the bikes came specced with 23mm tyres as standard, this might not be an issue for many. Interestingly this is the only bike here that has a headtube peg for a frame pump - touches like these make you realise the Enigma chaps know how to satisfy their customers' requirements.

As RCUK has come to expect of Enigma, weld quality is exemplary, with the usual classy finishing decals ensuring the bike, aesthetically at least, matches the £999 pricetag. And, unlike the other bikes in this test, an extra £99 will allow you to have the frame made to measure. The frame is available in four sizes, with the medium (56” top tube) weighing 1,390g.

Built up, the Etape range starts at £1,999 with Campagnolo Centaur, or Chorus for £2,350, with Shimano builds available on request. The Etape I tested came fitted with a nice spec of Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels shod in Continental Ultra Gatorskin 23mm tyres, with a pair of quality SKS mudguards keep the muck away. There's an Enigma carbon fork, designed for the Etape frameset, propping up the front end.

All the finishing parts are from the recently expanded Enigma line of own-brand components, with the 7075 aluminium handlebar and stem, headset, carbon seatpost and surprisingly comfortable saddle all bearing the Enigma logo. And it all works fine too, though I would recommend ditching the gel inserts located underneath the bar tape - unless you like fat bars you might find them unnecessary.

Slip aboard the Etape and immediately you feel at home. Out on the open road it's difficult not to be impressed. It handles extremely well, and is more relaxed than other Enigmas RCUK has ridden - as you'd expect - thanks in part to the more laid back geometry and longer wheelbase. The trademark ride quality of titanium was clearly noticeable, forgiving any road unevenness for a comfortable ride.

It's an easy bike to ride, wafting from café stop to hill top, and I liked how the frame dissipated any road roughness. I also felt like I had done less actual mileage upon returning home than the other bikes. But the Etape is no sloth, as it can carry a surprising level of speed, and can be switched up a few degrees should the desire take you. It was the most rewarding of the trio here, the lighter overall weight no doubt helping. More than that, it was more fun to ride. And on long, lonely, cold and wet winter rides, that can make the difference between heading home early or doing another two hours.