Foldable Bikes Party: Engineered Bicycles Gezel review

Thursday, 27 October 2016

Engineered Bicycles Gezel review

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Let’s get a couple of things straight — if you purchase this bike, you’re unlikely to see another out on the roads, as Engineered Bicycles is a small, UK-based bespoke bike brand. Secondly, the Lauf Grit fork supplied with the Gezel frame is guaranteed to split opinion.

Engineered is a design house that produces a range of steel, aluminium and titanium bikes, which are currently built in Italy but some of the company’s manufacturing will soon move to the UK. You can custom-tune stock models, such as the Gezel, to fit your needs, from geometry, braze-ons and paint jobs, to cantilever or disc brakes and quick-release or bolt-thru axles.

If you want a bike to take KOMs on, this isn’t it, but having spent hours tackling rough, loose gravel roads on the Gezel, the frame’s slight softness is a bonus

The Gezel is Engineered’s go-anywhere, do-anything bike — from a winter hack for the serious roadie to a steel (or titanium, for the flash) long-distance bike. The quick-release frame and fork model costs £2,050, while the Grit fork adds £400 and if you want the bolt-thru frame and fork that’ll be an extra £200.

The Gezel’s long-distance roots become clear as soon as you jump on. The handling doesn’t give the same point-and-shoot accuracy that a race bike might, but Engineered has managed to provide a ride that maintains a fun, sprightly feel while still offering comfort and high-speed stability.

The 72-degree head and 73-degree seat angles are middle of the road, but our 58cm bike’s wheelbase is a longish 102.8cm. This is combined with a steel frame that takes out the worst of the road buzz, without feeling particularly woolly. If you want a bike to take KOMs on, this isn’t it, but having spent hours tackling rough, loose gravel roads on the Gezel, the frame’s slight softness is a bonus.