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Sage Cycles Moves Production to the US; Launches revamped 2015 Road and Cross Bikes

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Sage Cycles 2014 Skyline Full Bike

We spent a few months with the first iteration of the Sage Skyline road bike last season.  As teased in that review, the production has officially moved back to the states.  In fact, the PDXCX is rolling out to dealers now.  Sage Cycles are still designed and QC’d in Portland, and are now handmade by the fine craftsman at Lynskey.

Both the Skyline road bike, and Sage’s PDXCX frames have undergone some changes for the 2015 model.  Having just had a hands on with both, we can say they are for the better.  Pedal through for the updates.

Sage Cycles 2014 PDXCX Headtube Badge
The Made in USA applies to both the frame and the headtube badge.

The move to US production has been a good one for Sage.  In talking with them, we were told that the rejection rate after QC is non-existent now.  The same could not be said about the Chinese made frames from last year.  The new frames are made from a better quality seamless, 3/2.5 aerospace grade titanium.  The rear stays on both bikes are a bit chunkier too, for more stiffness and better durability.  Sure, it adds a few grams, but the ride quality and longevity are worth every single gram.  Both bikes still use beautifull, USA made, head tube badges.  The graphics package gets an update with better design.  And to keep up with ‘Merica trend,  the new stickers are printed stateside.

Sage Cycles 2014 PDXCX Owl Logo

The Skyline roadie is planned for a January 2015 delivery to dealers.  The new bike still comes in different builds depending on your wants and budget.  However those builds have been tweaked a bit.  Costs start at $4600 for a sensible Shimano 105 build, and rockets up to $11,000 for the tricked out Dura-Ace Di2 / Enve build.  Check the site for exact build specs.

Sage Cycles 2014 PDXCX Bottom Bracket
The new wider BB was used on both the CX and Road frames for a stiffer pedaling platform, and it allows for more surface area to weld the beefier chain stays to.

The new frame upgrades include a more aggressive geometry that improves turn in and acceleration.  Acceleration is improved a bit more by a wider BB platform and beefier, shorter chain stays.  The front end gets a full 44mm head tube now too, replacing last years tapered affair.

Sage Cycles 2014 Skyline Mechanical Cables Clip

The 2015 Skyline frames are better equipped to cleanly deal with both mechanical cables and Di2 wiring.  Di2 wiring runs neatly inside the frame and pops out the rear drive side chain stay through a port.  For those running a mechanical drive train, the cables are routed externally.  Traditional cable stops are not present, however.  Sage has teamed up with the carbon fiber cowboys at Ruckus Composites to design and manufacture a carbon clip system that bolts to the frame.  It’s an elegant and simple concept that allows the customer to run any drivetrain they choose.

Sage Cycles 2014 Skyline Chainstay Di2 Port

The bike pictured here is a prototype, built up as the Skyline M1 (mostly).  The saddle, bar tape, and Stages Power meter are not stock options.  Frame sizing runs in 2cm increments from 50cm to 62cm.

Sage Cycles 2014 PDXCX Full Bike

Sage’s cross rig, the PDXCX, has undergone some changes too.  Minor geometry changes were made for better race day performance.  The bike should handle better in technical terrain now.  Cable routing has gone to using cable stops on the top tube which has improved shifting performance over the previous model.  However, full cable housing is run down the seat stays to keep out debris and water.  The frame is hydraulic ready.  Brake mounts have been changed to IS from post mount to allow for a 140mm rotor.  Frame sizing has moved to 2cm increments.  They start at 50cm and go up to 62cm . The 50cm frames are being ordered in the next production batch however, so a 52cm is the smallest available currently.

Sage Cycles 2014 PDXCX Dropout and Fender Mount

The new PDXCX gets subtle rear fender mounts, and most builds are specced with a Whiskey NO. 7 fork that has fender mounts too.  Hallelujah!

Sage Cycles 2014 PDXCX RFK Wheels

For the wheels on the new PDXCX builds, Sage has teamed up with TFK wheels in Portland.  They have worked out a hand built wheel that is made up of a Velocity Aileron rim laced to a Shimano a CX75 hub using DT Comp spoke and DT brass nipples.  They should prove durable and rebuildable, if not a bit on the heavy side.

Sage Cycles 2014 PDXCX Rear Tire Clearance

Pricing for the 105 PDXCX build starts off at $4350, and heads north to $7100 for the top tier Ultegra Di2 build.  Full build specs are listed on the Sage website.

Sage Cycles 2014 PDXCX Chain Stay Logo 1

Sage Cycles 2014 PDXCX Chainstay Logo 2

All in all, the changes to the 2015 Sage lineup are for the better.  The move to US based production is one we wholeheartedly support.  The new graphics package looks the business.  And the tweaks should make the bikes ride even better.  Hit up the dealer link or email Sage directly if interested.

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11 Comments
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Alb
Alb
9 years ago

Well played on the removal cable stops – really neat. Would be great to see some shots without the stops mounted.

Todd Foreman-Kinder
9 years ago

Thanks for the mention, bikerumor.com! It is a pleasure working with Sage.

Ajax
Ajax
9 years ago

“The move to US production has been a good one for Sage. In talking with them, we were told that the rejection rate after QC is non-existent now. The same could not be said about the Chinese made frames from last year.”

The above quote really is a shame, particularly for those past Sage buyers who purchased a Made-in-China Sage Titanium frame. It only serves to alienate Sage’s past customer base who believed in Sage’s assertions last year that their Made-in-China Titanium frames were the equal of American-made Ti frames. Those past Sage buyers now know that they have a truly inferior product compared to the new Sage Ti bikes.

Kristi Benedict
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  Ajax

Ajax, I think that statement means that they had to reject more Chinese-made frames – not that they were letting inferior quality bikes hit the market.

Matt
Matt
9 years ago

But, if I had purchased a Chinese model and read this story, I would not be happy. I would wonder about the long term quality of my bike. I would be confused as to why they are so much happier with their USA-made frames vs. the Chinese-made frames, and I would probably be sending an email looking for some sort of trade-in option.

On the other hand, I love that these are being made in the States. Cool move!

Ajax
Ajax
9 years ago

^^ I agree with Matt. It’s always going to be at the back of my mind about the long-term durability if I was one of the unfortunate ones to have purchased last year’s Sage Ti bike.

Psi Squared
Psi Squared
9 years ago

+1 to Kristi and Nick. Nowhere in what is written in the article is there anything to indicate that anything that passed Sage’s QC was inferior. To think otherwise is to not understand QC and rejection rates.

Peter
Peter
9 years ago

I’m next-to-positive that my next frame will be a Sage Skyline. I chatted briefly with Dave a little while ago about their frames and my reservations at not being able to test one out first. He put my worries to rest. They offer a great price point for a Ti build.

Jason
Jason
9 years ago

That is a drop dead gorgeous bike….wow!
Tennessee home of the Ti, don’t know which is more awesome a Lynskey or that Sage!!

Velo
Velo
9 years ago

> Costs start at $4600 for a sensible Shimano 105 build

Thank goodness for bikesdirect.com

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