The Hermes of Bikes
The frame topping out Cyfac's world-renowned line-up of 100% hand-made framesets is brand new for 2008: the Absolu. This name befits what is quite likely the most elegant, most obsessed over, and finest built bespoke frameset ever made.
The Absolu takes what has been refered to by many as the "perfect ride," the "ultimate frameset," and the "Hermes of bikes" to a whole other level. The Gothica, which was released in 2006, was at that time hailed with the accolades above: reviewers and owners of the Absolu will therefore be at a loss for superlatives to describe this entirely made-to-measure (sur mesur) work of art. No doubt they'll come up with a few new adjectives!
Like the Gothica, the Absolu starts with a painstaking carbon lay-up which includes Toray T800H IM (intermediate modulus) 1K carbon. This bi-directional (woven) intermediate modulus carbon is the most costly to use for bicycle frame manufacturing and is, therefore, also the rarest. 1K carbon fiber weighs in at a remarkably light 2.9 ounces per square yard which makes it the lightest woven carbon fiber cloth available. Aside from its light weight, it is also the finest cloth for making and engineering beautifully riding high-performance frames. Like fine cloth of any sort, a higher thread count translates to a more luxurious feel, finer manipulation and better design, improved workmanship, and of course a higher cost. This all bears true in the making of Cyfac's 1K framesets.
Because the Absolu is handmade in Cyfac's Loire Valley atelier, using 1K carbon fiber is especially important. Unlike 99% of carbon frames which are made in size specific molds (monocoque frames and tubes), Cyfac starts with carbon tubes which are wrapped by hand with layers of carbon fiber and then joined with a Kevlar wrap bonding process. This individual lay-up process is similar to the way shirt makers on Savile Row custom measure for and make bespoke shirts for the ultimate in comfort, design, cut, and feel. In the same fashion, Cyfac's frame builders cut sheets of carbon cloth and strategically place them so each Absolu has the ride qualities requested by its owner: for instance, stiffer in the bottom bracket, snappier in the rear triangle, more rigid in the head tube. All such ride characteristics can be built into each Absolu.
Think of an analogy this way: a shirt can be made out of burlap, and likewise, a bike frame can be made out of 12K high modulus carbon fiber. The burlap shirt will not lie nicely on the body, it will not contour well, and when cut by the shirtmaker, it will fray, not stitch well, and will resist manipulation in the design process. In short, using burlap severely limits the shirtmaker's ability to make a high-quality, well-designed, comfortable, and truly unique product. The same holds true with 12K carbon fiber: it is resistant to design manipulation, does not comply nicely to novel shaping, and is resitant to custom lay-up for personal preferences. Like burlap, 12K carbon fiber costs less to manufacture and requires less artisan work in the build process. It's no wonder, then, that there are so many sub $2,000 12K carbon framesets flooding the market!
The Absolu is the first frameset in Cyfac's line-up to offer an integrated seat post mast, what Cyfac calls POST: Postural Optimal Seat Tube. The integrated seat tube column adds a unique aesthetic quality to the Absolu which further sets it apart from the carbon masses and boldly states, "I am no ordinary mass-produced bike frame." Not that one would ever confuse a Cyfac with any of the ubiquitous carbon frames lining bike shop floors: Cyfac's stunningly rich paint and painstakingly intense designs immediately set each and every one of these ultra-rare frames apart. Moreover, for those in the know, in the world of high-end custom bikes the name Cyfac is as alluring and pulse-stirring as the name Lamborghini is to automotive aficianados.
Because each Aboslu is 100% hand-made for its owner, it must also be hand-designed for its owner. Each Absolu will fit its owner the way a bespoke suit will fit its wearer. To schedule a fitting, stop in or call one of Cadence's centers (1-8PRO-CADENCE). You're sure to experience the Absolute!