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Found: Culprit Cycles’ Aero Road Bike, Ready for Disc or Canti Brakes – UPDATED!

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Culprit Cycles’ founder Joshua Colp sent over images of his aero road bike with some pretty fantastic notes, among them that it’s possibly more aerodynamic than the Specialized Venge (something he plans to verify in a wind tunnel in the near future) and that it’s equally at home with disc brakes or TRP’s aero cantilever brakes.

The frame was originally developed while Colp was working with Trigon for the past six years, then intention being that they’d manufacture. The front triangle was designed for one of Trigon’s road bikes about a year and a half ago, but the rest of the bike was designed specifically for this model using Colp’s own molds. He says he also holds the patent for the fork’s shape and design.

So, how does it work?

2013 Culprit Cycles Croz Blade disc brake or standard aero road bike using the same frame

The frame is designed to run hydraulic disc brakes (there’s no room for the lever arm on mechanical disc brakes inside the rear triangle, so hydros only), or TRP’s TTV aero road brakes. Regardless of your choice, the bike remains sleek to both eye and wind. The wheels are currently an open mold design, but he’s working on his own rim design as well and plans to have them available for sale with the bike in January.

At the top is the bike with the discs, and above with TRP’s brakes.

2013 Culprit Cycles Croz Blade disc brake or standard aero road bike using the same frame

The complete bike as you see is 7.4 kg built up with slightly heavy disc brake hubs and 58 mm carbon clinchers, the new SRAM Red and TRP parabox braking system. Production bikes will be a bit lighter, Colp says he’s fine tuning the layup before full production begins later this year.

The TRP brakes fit under the chainstays. Rear spacing is 130mm, perhaps the only thing that could hinder people on the fence about disc brakes since most brands seem to be going with 135mm rear hubs. After reconsidering, Colp says the frame will be 135mm rear with alloy inserts to size down to 130 for standard wheels. Smart move.

2013 Culprit Cycles Croz Blade disc brake or standard aero road bike using the same frame

A small fairing will fill in the recess for the TRP brakes when it’s run with discs, maintaining a smooth appearance.

2013 Culprit Cycles Croz Blade disc brake or standard aero road bike using the same frame

The Croz Blade will come in a whopping 30 possible paint/logo/finish combinations. Base paint colors include raw carbon, yellow, red, white, magenta indigo or fuschia. Same color choices for decals, then a choice of glossy or matte clearcoat finish. Matching components will be offered, too, including his highly adjustable seatpost (check the saddle rail mount’s massive fore/aft range!).

2013 Culprit Cycles Croz Blade disc brake or standard aero road bike using the same frame

Pricing will be announced at Eurobike. Colp says he’s setting up two US support centers to facilitate consumer direct shipments of complete bikes. He chose this method because of the wide range of color options. Components will be available through a distributor/IBD network eventually (he’s looking for partners), and he already has a lightweight UCI approved standard road frame under the Culprit brand…and some other pretty slick stuff that we’re not allowed to mention yet.

2013 Culprit Cycles Croz Blade disc brake or standard aero road bike using the same frame

Colp is originally from the US, but moved to Taiwan when he turned 23 when he started consulting for Taiwanese bicycle manufacturers.

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brian
brian
11 years ago

Aesthetics aside..

Patrick Fowler
Patrick Fowler
11 years ago

It’s freaking beautiful!! I’m loving the road disc movement!

Ventruck
Ventruck
11 years ago

The execution is cool, especially if its aerodynamic superiority exists with disc brakes. It’s just weird though, why would anyone opt for the canti-levers at this point and have some ugly disc tabs left over?

Aesthetically all I don’t like is how the brand labeling looks, but the disc caliper setup looks very clean.

yesplease
yesplease
11 years ago

With the 130mm rear spacing I would be temped to run a disc front and the TRP aero brake rear. Since the front does most of the stopping anyway it would be a sick setup. Stoked for the Hydro drop levers to come out, as soon as they do I will be quickly jumping on to the road disc setup.

Hape
Hape
11 years ago

I think last one (without rider) is with “Doppelmoppel”. Mechanic -> Hydro.

Haro
Haro
11 years ago

I love it. Plus, with 30 different paint/graphic/color options, surely there is something in there for everybody. Kudos to this young man for taking such a bold step.

ACF
ACF
11 years ago

Wanted: Graphic designer. Please apply to Culprit Bikes.

zombieweekly
zombieweekly
11 years ago

with the current wide width rim trend going on now, I’d be bit worried about clearance with those hydraulic cables running inside the fork

other than that, looks pretty sick

Jarrod
Jarrod
11 years ago

Wordmark and graphics package are ugly as sin.

Guy Faux
Guy Faux
11 years ago

Joshua Colp ego trip on the labeling maybe?

patrik
patrik
11 years ago

The graphic design reminds me of guys who are good at making BBQ for their three friends on the weekends, then think their skills are good enough to translate into a full-time restaurant. Long story short: They’re not.

Dude, hire a legitimate graphics team. Just because you know Photoshop does not make you a graphic designer.

AJ
AJ
11 years ago

Huge, huge mistake not going with 135mm rear spacing. Of all the disc brake road bikes out there, they all are going with 135mm rear spacing. Even Volagi, who once started at 130mm, has stated that 135mm is where the disc road market is going to be. And they have switched their disc bikes to 135mm rear spacing. The carbon Colnago disc road bike is going to have 135mm rear spacing. Even all the CX bikes that have discs are now at 135mm rear spacing. This decision is a deal breaker and gonna hurt this new company more than they think.

Topmounter
Topmounter
11 years ago

Where is the market for high-end road bikes with canti-level brakes?

MATT
MATT
11 years ago

Why the Parabox and not the Hywire…? Hywire should be out by now, what’s the hold up?!

Mervyn
Mervyn
10 years ago

I just received my Croz Blade and whow!!!!!

Joshua was helpful and super responsive to all queries I had from before I bought the bike and even afterwards. He kept me updated with the build process and shipping status.

The bike itself is better than I expected, light stiff and cool…..igot the SRAM build and it is great….

The extras like the tool wrench and bib and jersey are welcome bonuses…jersey is super light ( live in Singapore at the moment ) and comfortable… May be getting a second one….

Ride is great, very little flex

Looking for a great bike with a difference, look no further…..

OKO
OKO
10 years ago

how much

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