With its exciting “Surprise Me” finish and a stunning love for detail, this steel beauty from Portland stands out in our test field. Sacha White and his team are well-known in the steel road bike scene; their superb craftsmanship and brilliant solutions have made them very popular over the years. But how does the unique steel racer fare against the crème de la crème of the race bike world?

For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: What’s the best road bike of 2018? – 12 race bikes put to the test

Steel lovers should have a look at the Speedvagen Road
Speedvagen Road | 7.82 kg | $ 12,150

The Speedvagen Road offers countless custom details. Let’s start with the “Surprise Me” paint scheme. Each year the American bike-mongers come up with a new design which – as the name suggests – remains shrouded in mystery until the moment of its release. If you flick through their lookbook you’ll be impressed with the work they’ve done over the years. On our test bike, even the SILCA pump is painted accordingly! The frameset itself features many pretty details such as the beautiful stainless-steel dropouts, the trademark curved Speedvagen seat stays (which take some getting used to), and the integrated seat post. Once you remove the seat clamp, you’ll unveil even more pretty details: with the company logo on the end-cap and the Di2 battery hidden inside the seat tube, they’ve created an unparalleled solution to battery storage.

Tuning-tips:
Headset upgrade, i.e. Chris King
Vittoria tires for more grip and the ultimate café racer look

Even the spec of the Speedvagen is impressive. Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, ENVE SES 3.4 wheelset with ENVE carbon hubs, an oversized CeramicSpeed pulley wheel system and bottom bracket, a Fabric saddle, and 25 mm-wide Continental Grand Prix GT PolyX Breaker tires. The Speedvagen weighs in at 7.66 kg in size 52 plus 270 g for the SILCA pump. The Ritchey headset works impeccably, but doesn’t blend in with the luxurious spec of the Speedvagen. Our test bike with a custom paint finish, ENVE SES 3.4 wheels, Dura-Ace Di2, and the CeramicSpeed upgrade sets you back $12,150. If you order from Europe you will want to take into account customs duty.

The Speedvagen convinced us on the road as much as it did in the studio. The tuned drivetrain with a CeramicSpeed upgrade runs smoothly and effortlessly. Riding the Speedvagen is proper fun, gliding over the roads while the steel frame sucks up the imperfections of the Spanish tarmac. This inspires huge amounts of confidence on fast downhills and also explains the fast lap times in the GRAN FONDO timing session. Compared with the Standert Triebwerk Mach 3, the Speedvagen feels more composed, predictable, and less harsh in direction changes; in combination with the high levels of comfort, this is the ideal setup for long tours and riders with less experience and fewer racing ambitions. The Dura-Ace rim brakes work well and offer great modulation.

Helmet ABUS GameChanger | Glasses 100 % Speedcraft | Jersey Café du Cycliste Louise | Gilet Café du Cycliste Dorothée | Bibshorts Café du Cycliste Josephine | Socks The Wonderful Socks | Shoes Shimano S-Phyre RC9

In combination with ENVE’s cross-hatched SES brake track, the Dura-Ace generates lots of braking power. We recommend adjusting the brake pads carefully to avoid unpleasant squeaking noises. When climbing the extra weight of the steel becomes noticeable eventually, but the Speedvagen still feels very composed and comfortable. In sprints, the stiffer and more efficient frame of the Specialized Tarmac or the Standert have a clear advantage and feel more lively.

  With the Speedvagen Road you’ll attract a lot of attention while having a great time – even when you’re not riding timed stages.

The Speedvagen Road in detail

Drivetrain Shimano Dura Ace Di2
Wheelset ENVE SES 3.4
Brakes Shimano Dura Ace Rim
Tires Continental GP GT Poly X Breaker
Weight 7.82 kg
Price $ 12,150

A Speedvagen classic: The curved/flattened seatstays are designed to combine comfort and lateral stiffness. Aesthetically, they’re a matter of taste.
V for Vanilla Workshop – the Speedvagen dropouts. All contact points such as dropouts and brake mounts feature stainless-steel inner and outer faces.
The CeramicSpeed pulley wheels are light and smooth. We still have to get used to the unusual look though.
Integrated Seat Post (ISP) with Speedvagen logo and integrated Di2 battery.
The manufacturer of the Speedvagen Road clearly cares about looks.
Every year the Speedvagen crew issues a new “Surprise Me” finish, and each time they manage to inspire us with an exciting new idea. Even the SILCA pump is painted accordingly.
Artwork in the form of a stem – only the Di2 mount spoils the beautiful details.
The Dura-Ace rim brakes offer great performance with good modulation.
The cross-hatched brake track of the ENVE SES 3.4 offers top braking performance – but the braking pads have to be adjusted carefully to avoid annoying braking squeal.

The geometry of theSpeedvagen Road

Conclusion

The Speedvagen Road offers outstanding craftsmanship, exciting details, and the option of choosing between your very own look or the “Surprise Me” finish. With an exceptional level of comfort and confidence-inspiring handling, the Speedvagen proves to be a genuine all-rounder for both beginners and professional riders. With the Speedvagen Road you’ll attract a lot of attention while having a great time – even when you’re not riding timed stages. If you’re looking for a timeless and faithful companion for gran fondos, after-work rides, and multi-day adventures, the Speedvagen is a great option… as long as you have the spare cash lying around.

Top

– CeramicSpeed drivetrain
– Workmanship and details
– “Surprise Me” finish

Flop

– Cheap headset
– Careful brake adjustment is required to avoid vibrations

Uphill
Downhill
Sprint


For more info head to: speedvagen.com

For an overview of the test fleet head to the main article: What’s the best road bike of 2018? – 12 race bikes put to the test

All bikes in the test: 3T Strada | BMC Teammachine SLR 01 Disc Team | Canyon Aeroad CF SLX Disc 9.0 Di2 | Corratec EVO eTap Konfi | Fuji SL 1.1 | Rose X-Lite 6 eTap | Scott Addict RC Ultimate Disc | Specialized S-Works Tarmac 2018 | Standert Triebwerk Mach 3 | Trek Emonda SLR 8 Disc | Wilier Superleggera SL

This article is from GRAN FONDO issue #008

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Words: Manuel Buck, Robin Schmitt, Benjamin Topf Photos: Noah Haxel