It’s getting harder and harder for the bigger bike manufacturers to keep up with the market, as we expect more from our bikes. Over the last few years, we’ve demonstrated that we don’t just want bikes that do one thing. We want to take our bikes further than they’ve ever been before.
We want to ride further than the end of the road, and we want them to be comfortable in all sorts of weather. Call them ‘gravel grinders’, ‘all-road’ bikes, or whatever you will, they just have to be practical for the everyday and adventurous rider — like Bristol’s Engineered Bikes and their Gezel.
At the heart of the Gezel is a Dedacciai Zero XL frame whose geometry and features can be modified to your specifications. For example, Engineered Bikes are developing a Gezel at the moment that accepts interchangeable rear dropouts that can be swapped between a QR and thru-axle rear wheel.
The front of the frame is a 44mm head tube and a press-fit headset, through which runs a carbon fork. While the standard frame has external cable routing, to minimise the ingress of moisture, internal routing can be requested — as can variations on the paint and design.
32c tires fit fine, or 28c tires with mudguards, making it a steadfast bike in all conditions. Testing was carried out on the Flandrien cobblestones, where it was passed with flying colours. The Gezel is disc brake-specific, mounted on the chain stay for ultimate harmony when fitting racks and fenders.
It can be built around electronic systems with internal cables, as a mechanical setup, or both, as required. It can even accommodate an Alfine configuration, if you’re so inclined. With race-inspired measurements tweaked for all-day comfort, this could be the only bike you’ll ever need.
Engineered Bicycles designed the Gezel in Bristol for real-world riding, but the frames are made in Italy by master frame builders and sent back to Bristol for finishing. Translated from Old Dutch, Gezel means ‘journeyman’ or ‘companion’ — an appropriate title.
Special thanks to James King for the photos.
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