There’s a definite Italian flavour to the Enigma, even though the frame is made in Sussex, England. The frame material is a triple-butted steel alloy from Italian company Columbus, with similar strength and properties to Reynolds 853. It can be formed into tubes with very thin walls – right down to 0.38mm – and the result here is a 9.3kg (20.5lb) all-in weight.
- Highs: High quality frame offering a highly refined ride
- Lows: The Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels just don’t do justice to the frame
- Buy if: You’re looking for something that’s fast and fun for the long run
The Enigma features some distinctive and classy frame details such as the reinforcement rings on the head tube for a more secure headset cup interface, neat rear dropouts and a replaceable gear hanger, unusual for a steel bike. A tidy 27.2mm diameter Enigma-branded carbon seatpost soaks up road shock very effectively, and when combined with the supple frame tubing, this machine strikes just the right note between comfort and responsiveness over long distances.
Enigma’s own curved carbon fibre fork – with mudguard eyelets – keeps the handling sharp while providing a healthy amount of shock absorption. The Italian character extends to more than just the frame, with Campagnolo and Fulcrum providing the groupset and wheels. Campagnolo’s 10-speed compact Veloce offers good ergonomics, crisp and reassuringly firm shifting and excellent braking without breaking the bank.
Fulcrum’s Racing 7s are a decent set of training wheels and they keep the pace high, but the non-adjustable cartridge bearing front hub developed a little play after just a couple of hundred miles. We’d recommend saving a bit longer and getting some lighter hoops that do the ride justice. Handbuilt wheels featuring Ambrosio Evolution rims and the same company’s hubs add just over £100 to the price but reduce weight by a very healthy 350g.
Even taking the higher price and these wheels into account, we found it impossible not to fall for the Ethos. Stylish, nimble and fleet of foot, it’s light enough to ride just for the love of riding, yet practical enough to load up for a bit of credit card touring. It would even do the job of winter trainer. As for the name, there’s no mystery when it comes to deciding what the Enigma's intended purpose is: riding fast and fun for the long run.
This article was originally published in Cycling Plus magazine.