One of many early advocates of 3D-printed components, No.22 bicycles used additive-manufactured dropouts in summer time 2022. The next yr they partnered with Silca to 3D print a whole stem to present them a novel stealth cockpit.
Naturally, they wanted a top-shelf bike to showcase such issues, and that’s the place the Nice Divide is available in. It’s a boutique titanium street bike with their signature polished-and-brushed end, along with your alternative of anodized finishes. I caught with the pure titanium end with a darkish grey stomach for my take a look at bike, and the geometry was their inventory measurement 58, however you possibly can go full customized if you’d like.
No matter what geo you need, every one is constructed to order, in order that’s the place we’ll begin…
Each No.22 bike that rolls out of their New York HQ is handmade, separately, primarily based in your specs and requested add-ons. They provide seven inventory sizes, or you possibly can ship your bike match knowledge for a customized construct.
Each one that touches the body indicators off on their work, a course of that not solely maintains accountability however illustrates the variety of craftspersons concerned (it’s not simply craftsmen, their greatest anodizer and others on the group are girls, too).
Probably the most placing ingredient of the bike is the stem, however not simply by itself…it’s the the way it hides all the wires and hoses and creates a superbly seamless cockpit. That it’s easy however so clearly steel (and particularly when it’s anodized in colours to match the body) makes it much more of a dialog starter.
Form-matched interlocking spacers make bike match straightforward and don’t require any brake hose disconnects. The stem has two bolts on again to safe it to the fork, urgent a rounded plate in opposition to the steerer tube. The highest bolt snugs it all the way down to compress the headset bearings.
The face plate nests into the highest of the stem and bolts down on the highest…
…with two historically positioned bolts clamping the bar into place.
Silca prints the stem for them, so naturally a Silca 3D-printed titanium pc mount is the fitting possibility. This one’s customized made to suit their stem faceplates.
For a headtube that hides the whole lot inside, it’s not outsized. If I’m being trustworthy, I wouldn’t wish to should construct this bike from scratch (and I didn’t), however rattling if it doesn’t look superb. I count on stealth routing to look good on carbon bikes, however there’s something about this bike that simply makes it appear extra particular.
Small touches abound that present No.22’s consideration to element. The polished inset head badge is one.
And the polished emblem; Regardless of being shiny, it’s someway additionally delicate.
The fork inset is one other, which provides them a spot to place their emblem…but additionally a spot the place different manufacturers can put their very own mark. No.22 affords this fork to others, too.
All principal tubes are customized butted to tune trip high quality and make it lighter. The downtube is bi-ovalized, sitting slightly taller the place it meets the pinnacle tube…
…and wider on the downtube to enhance torsional stiffness on the pedals. A fats T47 BB shell provides it loads of house to land. A spherical seat tube makes entrance derailleur mounting and seat submit choice straightforward.
The T47 BB additionally makes room for enormous bearings, notably when working a Shimano crankset with 24mm spindle.
Be aware the welds… excellent.
Tire clearance is rated at 35mm. I rode it with 28mm tires and there’s loads of room to go greater.
The 3D-printed dropouts are left “tough” however smoothed progressively to mix into the tubes. Be aware the stealth fender mounts with small bolts to maintain them plugged.
My take a look at bike was constructed earlier than the introduction of T-Kind/Direct Mount rear derailleurs for street and gravel, however No.22 affords that as an possibility on this bike now, too. However try the stout hanger and smooth nesting into the dropout! I by no means heard any creaking, and shifts have been sharp and quick. Additionally notice the minimal Di2 wire protrusion, retaining the aesthetics tremendous clear.
No.22 makes their very own seatposts however makes use of ENVE’s multi-piece saddle rail clamps. You may decide to make use of your individual submit for those who favor.
Extra particulars: Examine the small flat form on the entrance of the seatpost collar, which matches their headbadge form and…
…the highest of the seatstay bridge. Good continuity, and this bit may be had with a hidden fender mount, too.
Right here’s one other photograph to drive residence simply how clear the entrance of this bike appears.
Precise weight for the entire bike with ENVE wheels and handlebar, two Silca ti bottle cages, no pedals, was 18lb 4oz (8.2kg). It’s roughly a measurement 58-59 equal.
No.22 Nice Divide trip evaluate
When folks say there’s one thing magical a couple of titanium bike’s trip high quality, they’re not mendacity. So it’s one thing for a builder to have the ability to elevate that, and I feel No.22 does.
To be truthful, I initially had some…uh…emotions concerning the 3D-printed stem. Not skeptical, and never scared. However perhaps…cautiously optimistic. There’s one thing concerning the notion of a bunch of steel powder being magically was a component that immediately connects the 2 issues (fork and handlebar) that take the brunt of the forces on the entrance finish of the bike.
So, I began gradual and labored as much as extra stresses and rougher surfaces. In the long run, it was excellent, and clearly contributed to the entrance finish’s glorious lateral stiffness. Standing and cranking on the bars yielded nothing however dramatically agency swaying of the bike beneath me.
That lateral and torsional stiffness additionally helped the bike carve corners and keep on with its strains.
And it sends energy backward quite effectively. In comparison with the stiffest carbon bikes there’s perhaps a slight drop in “snap” off the road, however I’d commerce that any day for the smoothness this bike delivered.
I like that they’re utilizing a T47 BB. It’s massive, strong, and straightforward to service. I by no means heard any complaints from it, both.
At $5,999 for simply the frameset (body, fork, and titanium headset, spacers & seat collar, all with uncooked end), the Nice Divide must be particular, and it’s.
Most of my driving is simply Zone 2 cruising, with lengthy rolling hills and 50-70 mile stretches from meetup to brewery. For that, it’s elegant…straightforward to pedal and comfy, realizing that it’ll deal with the occasional robust pull or county line dash with ease.
However it’s additionally a motorbike that likes to sit back. If I’d stored it longer, I’d put 30-32mm tires on it and it might possible disappear underneath me.
It additionally handles the occasional gravel street fairly nicely. If I have been doing this rather a lot I’d swap in a carbon seatpost, however I truthfully don’t have any complaints.
No.22 Bicycles clearly fall into the boutique class of bikes you need since you need them and might afford them. Nothing fallacious with that, but it surely’s good to see that they’re extra than simply artwork, they’re serving to create the state-of-the-art with intelligent touches and delightful ending work. They usually trip fairly rattling good, too.
22Bicycles.com
