Price Paid:  $7050.00 at from manufacturer

Favorite Ride:
kew boulevard

Bike Setup:
custom PMP hubs, DT spokes, DT 1.1 rims, 2007 campag chorus compact, ec90 painted to match frame, ti arione, fsa carbon post, fsa alu stem and bars, fsa headset, king cage, 25mm conti gp4000 tyres

Summary:
I got it as a build up bike from Baum about a year ago, and have been riding it on training rides and for commuting (I dont race). It replaces a Raleigh Professional 853 bike. I must say that its the best fitting bike I have ever had - the advantages of full custom geometry is very clear to this particular old goat.... no more back and neck strain, it feels right for me (and so it should). It also rides like a dream, perhaps like only steel can, but also helped by the fantastic build that they put together for me. Darren, Jo and Jared at Baum were really helpful and personal, it even came with a ss bidon cage! The advantages of a well built and perfectly aligned frame are also clear, in the way it handles and tracks (unlike my old Raleigh, which I suspect did not have the best alignment). Slow speed manuvering is stable and smooth, as is high speed decending, and climbing out of the saddle on the hoods is a real joy. I wanted a metalic chocolate paint job, which i couldnt explain or describe, but they unraveled my ramblings well and found me the colour! The bike is nice and light (1.4kg frame with paint, collar and pewter badge) but the main thing is the feel - its absolutely fantastic! I was also looking at carbon bikes about the same price, but they were too fast in the geo for me, and felt a bit too stiff.... also, having had to replace a carbon fork from a crash, I was not keen on the lack of durability of carbon. It would be easier and cheaper for me to lose weight from my 80kg body in any case, so weight was not a big issue (not that 7.4kg is heavy). And the workmanship is excellent, beaut neat welds, lovely in house paint job, excellent build - in one year, have only needed to turn a couple of barrel adjusters a few quarter turns... it was ready to go from the mo i took delivery. It was a great experience getting measured and fitted at their factory to my own unique geometry, absolutely no regrets, especially given how nice it rides! When i win the lottery I gonna get them to make me up a ti cubano 29er singlespeed mtb!

Strengths:
Full custom fit & ride, durability, quality of finish, build, personal friendly and informative service (including saving me from myself), local industry (to me in Melbourne Australia, anyway....), good value for money for a handmade work of art

Weaknesses:
12 week turnaround - no good for the impatient! and despite all their bikes being named after coffees, they serve instant at the factory..... (ok so its not really a weakness)

Similar Products Used:
raleigh professional with 853 tubing, 105, ksyrium elites, ec70, cannondale r300, europa with ofmega, raleigh carlton cobra 2 with suntour cyclone