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Culprit Croz Blade Disc Brake Road Bike In Production, Video Teaser Playing Now

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When we first saw Culprit’s Croz Blade disc-or-rim brake road bike, designer Joshua Colp was still fine tuning the design and finalizing spec. Now, the bike’s in production and the build kit is mostly finalized…enough so that pre-orders are being taken for delivery in January.

On the frame, he reworked the dropouts a bit and changed the layup in spots to get the ride quality the way he wanted it. We’ve been riding the Culprit Arrow One, which provides a really good ride, so we’re expecting good things from the Croz Blade. As a refresher, the frame has inconspicuous mounts for both aero rim brakes and disc brakes, letting the rider choose which way they want to stop. Simple inserts at the dropouts reduce hub spacing from 135mm (disc) to 130mm for traditional road wheels when using rim brakes.

On the spec side, the bike will ship with the rider’s choice of brakes. If you choose rim brakes, it’ll have TRP’s TTV semi-integrated aero brakes incorporated into the frame. Choose discs ($250 upcharge) and you’ll get the TRP’s Parabox mechanical-to-hydraulic converter pre-installed plus the TTV brakes in the box in case you want to go back. Not keen on putting an adapter between your levers and calipers? It’s likely they’ll give you the choice of running mechanical calipers instead of hydraulics…which we think is the smarter choice given the dedicated systems from SRAM (and likely others) very, very soon…

Culprit Croz Blade disc brake road bike in production for January 2013 delivery

The frame is a blend of UD and 3K woven Toray 800 carbon fiber with a tapered headtube and BB30 bottom bracket. Chainstays are oversized to keep everything stiff where it counts, but Colp said he gave it a bit of compliance through the thinner seatstays. The seatpost has three mounting positions for the saddle so you can get it where you want it.

By using the aero brakes behind the fork and under the bottom bracket, visual cues that something’s missing aren’t too much of an issue should you decide to run disc brakes, and vice versa. Cable routing is compatible with either electronic or mechanical drivetrains and hydraulic or mechanical discs. Frames are available in a wide variety of paint colors in either matte or glossy finish, and you can pick your decal color, too. Kill a few minutes playing with the online configu-ma-jig here.

Culprit Croz Blade disc brake road bike in production for January 2013 delivery

Frame and framesets are available, and complete bikes start at $4,795 built with recommended parts, which includes a carbon fiber handlebar, stem and their seatpost, and Token’s C55 wheels. You can drop the price by choosing alloy stems or different wheels, but the pre-spec’d package is pretty good (we’re riding the same stem and bar on the Arrow One).

The wheels are a custom built version of Token’s C55, which use that brand’s carbon/alloy aero rims, Sapim spokes and Token alloy hub. Upgrade to disc brakes with your build and you’ll get full carbon clincher rims and disc brake hubs, both also from Token. Plenty of other Token wheels are available as options, from standard alloy clinchers to deep aero tubulars and everything in between.

Build kits include SRAM Red at the top end, or Shimano’s Ultegra in either Di2 or mechanical trim.

Complete bikes also include one of their carbon fiber water bottle cages, a Culprit bibs/jersey kit, torque wrench set and Prologo saddle. The price of the bike also includes a professional bike fit session from a local shop or fitter, as well as delivery anywhere in the world. While Culprit is essentially a consumer direct brand for now, they are setting up a service center in Iowa to assist with US sales and warranty, and shops can partner with them to help get consumers fit and get part of the sale.

Full specs and such at Culpritbicycles.com.

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DawieO
DawieO
11 years ago

That black and gold bike is seeeeexxxxyyyyy!

Ck
Ck
11 years ago

Love the versatility of the frameset. And i’m a sucker for a website that lets me play with colors and options.

diehipsterdie
diehipsterdie
11 years ago

anyone tell that dude his helmets too big for him? oh yeah and the bike….meh

Lou Diamond Phillips
Lou Diamond Phillips
11 years ago

He didn’t even use his brakes once. But they’re discs! Yay!

Nick
Nick
11 years ago

I’m having a hard time figuring out what this video of Marvin The Martian riding the least aerodynamic frame ever made is supposed to accomplish.

Francis
Francis
11 years ago

So I am not sure I get the concept. Its the same price as many good brands which I can go touch in my LBS and find the best to fit me. But there aren’t shops I can go to and check out this bike? Just have to hope its everything I want?
How does the free fit work? I take it to my LBS and have to pay for the professional fitting and then have to send the receipt to get my money back?
Seems like alot of hassle when I can spend the same on a brand name and walk out the door with it, doesn’t offer the good price discounts that usually come from internet ordered bike companies.

Ralph!
Ralph!
11 years ago

Unacceptable sock length

Culpritbicycles
11 years ago

Francis

To answer your questions, The bike fitting is paid before you receive the bike, so you get a proper bike fitting by a bike fitter to choose the right fit. measurements. You, also get alot of incentives on the bike. If you buy alot of online consumer direct bikes, 1. you do not get to choose your colors. 2. you do not get a proper bike fitting paid 3. you get a free kit included with the bike 4. shipping is paid. The bike is a unique ride and unique design. But yes, I do understand your point of not being able to see the bike, ideally,we want to work with bike fitters who carry a bike as a display model in the future. Do keep in mind, that price is with carbon wheels, etc. Other consumer direct brands, such as Franco and others are in similar pricing..I think you will find you get alot of value added with the bikes, as well as 3 year crash replacement plan.

Jordan
11 years ago

I’m intrigued, but what I’m really clamoring for is aero data.

Mike
Mike
11 years ago

Is that a helmet or a 20-gallon bucket on his head?

Stefan
Stefan
11 years ago

Yet another open mould product from China followed by all the b****hit yes we are testing and now we will start production, that means you got enough money to buy the minimun order quantity from a trading company who you think is a manufacturer, who are you buying from ? Xpace, Dynmaic,Gigantex ?

Steve
Steve
10 years ago

Check out the Velobuild bike gallery, quite a few of these and you can get the frame for $500 custom painted with whatever you want.

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