Curve GXR Ti

[NoMoreParagon]

After few custom frames from the best brands out there, I got a bit tired of the whole process in acquiring a custom frame and the last thing I wanted to do is get in the 12 months queue to get a frame after I sold a Mosaic GT1. The Mosaic was great but when I started riding 27.5 tires in a bike I kept overseas I was sold to the new wheel size. True, 700c might be faster and easier on prolonged climbs but riding on wider tires on dirt and single track or in technical terrain more than compensated the 5-7km/h lost in average speed.
This is the build
- Curve GXR Ti, size XL
- swapped the Curve fork for an ENVE. Why? Cause it looks much better. The Curve fork was something that always bothered me visually.
- Chris King Inset 7 headset
- Sram Force - XX1 AXS mullet
- Ingrid Pop Gravel crankset*, 38t chainring
- LB 650b carbon rims laced to Hope RS4 centerlock hub and Sapim CX Ray spokes
- tires Maxxis Ikon 27.5 x 2.35
- Enve 90mm Classic Carbon stem
- Pro Discover Carbon Handlebar 44cm
- Litespeed seatpost
- Controltech Ti Seat clamp
- King Cage Ti cages
- Fabric Scoop ultimate carbon saddle
* at the beginning the crankset was an Easton EC90 with Garbaruk chainring

The frame is not as light and refined as the Passoni, Mosaic or Stelbel which i previously owned. But it is designed with adventure in mind and accomplishes the task way way better than other fancier custom frames do.
You can be the best custom framebuilder in the world but it doesn’t mean you know how to design the best adventure bike.
The guys at Curve breath adventure and bike exploring every single day and receive constant feedback from the plethora of enthusiastic riders across the globe.
The geometry is bit different from the Geo I was used to. The TT is longer hence it requires a shorter stem. The end result? Love it!
With very wide tires steering might be more sleepy but the shorter stem makes it pretty lively on descents and tight turns.
You can pour mud over this frame and it won’t creak. The bottom bracket is threaded, the seatpost area has its vertical opening for the clamp to adhere on, in the front as opposed to the rear. I wondered why. Now I know. It reduces the chance for mud to accumulate from the rear wheel spinning. Little details, I know but when you use the bike for its purpose makes your life easier.
I use this bike literally for everything. From pretty technical single track to long rides in mixed terrains.
I used to have a deep section carbon 700c wheelset I was planning to use on fast road rides but then I got a Pegoretti (yes for their frames I do still queue!) and never really rode the GXR for fast tarmac rides.
Here some pics.