t's a year to the day since I first approached Justin in relation to a Ti bike, I had previously spent a day at Enigma in Sussex and test rode their Echo model, which I liked and was almost ready to place an order. I stumbled across the Burls website after Googling reviews of British Ti suppliers and decided to pay a visit, Justin is only twenty miles or so away, so after a brief email exchange, I cycled down to his house and had a look in his workshop at some Ti bikes ready to go out to their new owners. I was really impressed with Justin's passion for his bikes and the attention to detail of each build, I decided their and then that this was the way I wanted to go,also bearing in mind that a Burls custom sized frame comes out cheaper than a 'off the peg' frame from some other suppliers.
Justin based his CAD drawings on both my requirements for my new bike and also the measurements of the bike I had been riding for the previous 4 years, a carbon Scott CR1, with a few minor tweaks, Justin explained at every stage the reason for tube diameters, frame angles, head tube choice and every question I asked was answered quickly and in detail.
Order placed and a month or so later, the frame was ready. Picked it up and what can I say, it's a thing of beauty! Beautiful welds, modern head tube and beefy down tube with lovely stays and the natural Ti finish is a real eye catcher.
It took me a little while to build the bike up, as always happens other things needed paying for, but finally it was completed and the moment of truth...
I'm now coming up to 1000 miles on the bike, it rides like a dream, quick, responsive, climbs and descends beautifully and has that feel only Ti can have I imagine, comfortable and soaks up the awful road surfaces with have here in North Essex/Suffolk. I've completed the Flatout in the Fens 112 mile ride on this bike, long day rides were the main reason I went for Ti, but it's also at home on fast 20 mile leg stretches or a 50 mile club run, it loses no ground to its carbon counterparts! I've just got home from a 60 mile ride, the frame negates the road surface buzz that towards the end of a ride can start to wear you down, no problems whatsoever with this bike, that comfort really tells.
All in all the whole process dealing with Justin was easy, he really wants you to get the bike you want. Highly recommended if you have that Titanium itch like I did.
Build:
- Burls Custom Ti Frame
- Easton EC90SL forks (supplied by Burls)
- Chris King internal headset (supplied by Burls)
- Campagnolo Chorus 11 speed groupset
- Campagnolo Neutron Ultra wheelset
- Continental GP4000s II 25mm tyres
- Syntace P6 seatpost
- Specialized Romin Evo saddle
- Syntace Racelite bars
- Syntace F109 stem
- Lizardskins 2.5mm bar tape
Hope from the review you know I love my bike :)
Regards
Andy