One of many early advocates of 3D-printed elements, No.22 bicycles used additive-manufactured dropouts in summer season 2022. The next 12 months they partnered with Silca to 3D print an entire stem to offer them a singular stealth cockpit.
Naturally, they wanted a top-shelf bike to showcase such issues, and that’s the place the Nice Divide is available in. It’s a boutique titanium street bike with their signature polished-and-brushed end, together with your selection of anodized finishes. I caught with the pure titanium end with a darkish grey stomach for my check bike, and the geometry was their inventory dimension 58, however you’ll be able to go full customized in order for you.
No matter what geo you need, each is constructed to order, in order that’s the place we’ll begin…
Each No.22 bike that rolls out of their New York HQ is handmade, separately, primarily based in your specs and requested add-ons. They provide seven inventory sizes, or you’ll be able to ship your bike match information for a customized construct.
Each one who touches the body indicators off on their work, a course of that not solely maintains accountability however illustrates the variety of craftspersons concerned (it’s not simply craftsmales, their finest anodizer and others on the staff are ladies, too).
Essentially the most hanging component of the bike is the stem, however not simply by itself…it’s the the way it hides the entire wires and hoses and creates a superbly seamless cockpit. That it’s easy however so clearly metallic (and particularly when it’s anodized in colours to match the body) makes it much more of a dialog starter.
Form-matched interlocking spacers make bike match simple and don’t require any brake hose disconnects. The stem has two bolts on again to safe it to the fork, urgent a rounded plate in opposition to the steerer tube. The highest bolt snugs it right down to compress the headset bearings.
The face plate nests into the highest of the stem and bolts down on the highest…
…with two historically positioned bolts clamping the bar into place.
Silca prints the stem for them, so naturally a Silca 3D-printed titanium pc mount is the proper choice. This one’s customized made to suit their stem faceplates.
For a headtube that hides all the things inside, it’s not outsized. If I’m being sincere, I wouldn’t need to need to construct this bike from scratch (and I didn’t), however rattling if it doesn’t look wonderful. I anticipate stealth routing to look good on carbon bikes, however there’s something about this bike that simply makes it appear extra particular.
Small touches abound that present No.22’s consideration to element. The polished inset head badge is one.
And the polished emblem; Regardless of being shiny, it’s in some way additionally delicate.
The fork inset is one other, which provides them a spot to place their emblem…but additionally a spot the place different manufacturers can put their very own mark. No.22 affords this fork to others, too.
All major tubes are customized butted to tune trip high quality and make it lighter. The downtube is bi-ovalized, sitting a bit taller the place it meets the top tube…
…and wider on the downtube to enhance torsional stiffness on the pedals. A fats T47 BB shell offers it loads of area to land. A spherical seat tube makes entrance derailleur mounting and seat publish choice simple.
The T47 BB additionally makes room for large bearings, significantly when operating a Shimano crankset with 24mm spindle.
Word the welds… excellent.
Tire clearance is rated at 35mm. I rode it with 28mm tires and there’s loads of room to go greater.
The 3D-printed dropouts are left “tough” however smoothed regularly to mix into the tubes. Word the stealth fender mounts with small bolts to maintain them plugged.
My check bike was constructed earlier than the introduction of T-Kind/Direct Mount rear derailleurs for street and gravel, however No.22 affords that as an choice on this bike now, too. However take a look at the stout hanger and smooth nesting into the dropout! I by no means heard any creaking, and shifts had been sharp and quick. Additionally word the minimal Di2 wire protrusion, retaining the aesthetics tremendous clear.
No.22 makes their very own seatposts however makes use of ENVE’s multi-piece saddle rail clamps. You’ll be able to choose to make use of your personal publish for those who favor.
Extra particulars: Verify the small flat form on the entrance of the seatpost collar, which matches their headbadge form and…
…the highest of the seatstay bridge. Good continuity, and this bit may be had with a hidden fender mount, too.
Right here’s one other photograph to drive dwelling simply how clear the entrance of this bike seems to be.
Precise weight for the whole bike with ENVE wheels and handlebar, two Silca ti bottle cages, no pedals, was 18lb 4oz (8.2kg). It’s roughly a dimension 58-59 equal.
No.22 Nice Divide trip evaluate
When folks say there’s one thing magical a few titanium bike’s trip high quality, they’re not mendacity. So it’s one thing for a builder to have the ability to elevate that, and I feel No.22 does.
To be honest, I initially had some…uh…emotions concerning the 3D-printed stem. Not skeptical, and never scared. However perhaps…cautiously optimistic. There’s one thing concerning the notion of a bunch of metallic powder being magically was an element that instantly connects the 2 issues (fork and handlebar) that take the brunt of the forces on the entrance finish of the bike.
So, I began gradual and labored as much as extra stresses and rougher surfaces. In the long run, it was excellent, and clearly contributed to the entrance finish’s glorious lateral stiffness. Standing and cranking on the bars yielded nothing however dramatically agency swaying of the bike beneath me.
That lateral and torsional stiffness additionally helped the bike carve corners and follow its strains.
And it sends energy backward somewhat effectively. In comparison with the stiffest carbon bikes there’s perhaps a slight drop in “snap” off the road, however I’d commerce that any day for the smoothness this bike delivered.
I like that they’re utilizing a T47 BB. It’s huge, sturdy, and simple to service. I by no means heard any complaints from it, both.
At $5,999 for simply the frameset (body, fork, and titanium headset, spacers & seat collar, all with uncooked end), the Nice Divide must be particular, and it’s.
Most of my driving is simply Zone 2 cruising, with lengthy rolling hills and 50-70 mile stretches from meetup to brewery. For that, it’s elegant…simple to pedal and comfy, figuring out that it’ll deal with the occasional sturdy pull or county line dash with ease.
However it’s additionally a motorcycle that likes to sit back. If I’d stored it longer, I’d put 30-32mm tires on it and it will seemingly disappear below me.
It additionally handles the occasional gravel street fairly properly. If I had been doing this rather a lot I’d swap in a carbon seatpost, however I actually don’t have any complaints.
No.22 Bicycles clearly fall into the boutique class of bikes you need since you need them and might afford them. Nothing incorrect with that, but it surely’s good to see that they’re extra than simply artwork, they’re serving to create the state-of-the-art with intelligent touches and delightful ending work. And so they trip fairly rattling good, too.
