Denis' stainless classic
Denis contacted us to build a sporty road bike, both modern and classic, with which he could climb the hills in his region with ease. Together with him, we chose a combination of components never before seen in our Beaumont workshop. Here is the Victoire n°587, a bike that embodies our definition of a road bike.
For his road rides, Denis wanted a sporty bike without sacrificing the pleasure of a classic steel frame. He had a specific combination in mind, one that had never before been seen on a Victoire bike: a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset paired with Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO wheels. Two major cycling equipment manufacturers brought together on the same bike, and two benchmarks in their category.
The Victoire n°587 is built around Columbus XCr tubes, the Italian manufacturer's stainless steel tube set. Stainless steel offers corrosion resistance that makes it virtually indestructible, natural elasticity that filters out road vibrations, and a strength-to-weight ratio that ranks it among the best steels available for a bicycle frame.
The frame was manufactured and silver-welded by Marc in the workshop. The lower part (down tube, chainstays and bottom bracket) is left in raw stainless steel, allowing the welding work to be appreciated.
For the drivetrain, Denis chose a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, the Japanese manufacturer's top-of-the-range wireless electronic version. Gear changes are smooth and fast, and the 12 rear gears offer a range suitable for all situations, from false flats to mountain passes.
The Dura-Ace double chainring crankset fits harmoniously into the stainless steel triangle of the frame. The Dura-Ace brake calipers are flat-mounted for powerful and adjustable braking in all conditions. As is often the case on our bikes, the bottom bracket is a reliable and durable Chris King ThreadFit.
Denis chose to equip his bike with Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO wheels. These are aerodynamic carbon wheels equipped with CULT ceramic bearings.
Lightweight and rigid, they are ideal for both climbing and sprinting on flat terrain. They are fitted with cream-coloured Continental GP5000 tyres, whose warm hue complements the reflections of the raw stainless steel.
At the front, the stem and handlebars form a Columbus Trittico assembly, the integrated cockpit from the Italian manufacturer that you may have already seen on the Victoire n°578 and n°571 recently. Fully integrated cockpits are gradually becoming the norm on modern road bikes. Some people talk about their aerodynamic benefits, but we prefer to admire the clean lines they bring to the bike: simple and minimalist.
A GPS mount is integrated directly into the stem.
La peinture du Victoire n°587 est signée par Max. La partie haute du cadre (tube supérieur, tube de selle, haubans et douille de direction) est habillée d'un bleu nuit métallisé profond. Un liseré doré marque la transition avec l'inox brut de la partie basse. La teinte joue avec la lumière et passe du noir au bleu selon l'angle, ce qui crée un beau contraste avec le métal nu.
Sur la douille de direction, le rameau Victoire en laiton. Sur le tube de selle, les inscriptions rappellent les artisans qui ont travaillé sur ce vélo : fabrication par Marc, peinture de Max, assemblage par Antoine.
The paintwork on the Victoire n°587 is signed by Max. The upper part of the frame (top tube, seat tube, seat stays and head tube) is finished in a deep metallic midnight blue. A gold border marks the transition to the raw stainless steel of the lower part. The colour plays with the light, shifting from black to blue depending on the angle, creating a beautiful contrast with the bare metal.
The brass Victoire branch adorns the head tube. The inscriptions on the seat tube pay tribute to the craftsmen who worked on this bike: manufactured by Marc, painted by Max, assembled by Antoine.
I discovered Cycles Victoire several years ago while participating in the Ardéchoise: a stand displaying two magnificent creations. The seed was planted. The wake-up call came from a friend who had just bought a Distance bike – telling me that it was Victoire's sister brand for standard products. What I expected from my Victoire bike: to be a work of art, a unique, comfortable, high-performance road bike with electronic transmission and disc brakes, no visible cables, comfortable on the roads of the Paris region, as well as for climbing the passes of the Alps, the Vosges and the Ardèche, where I love to ride.
It was when it came to the paintwork that I hesitated for a long time and made a complete U-turn. I had originally opted for a white frame. After seeking and listening to advice from Julien and Pierre, I chose a gradient ranging from midnight blue to steel grey, highlighting a few welds as a testament to the craftsmanship involved. This paint job makes it beautiful and understated.
Eighteen months is a long time to wait. But discovering my Victoire bicycle in mid-December made the long wait worthwhile: a frame with clean lines, impeccable assembly, and a successful paint job. The craftsmen at Victoire deserve their five stars.
In mid-December in Puy-de-Dôme, the weather is rather chilly. I had nevertheless decided to take it for its first spin, right after delivery. A pale sun accompanied me on this hilly forty-minute test drive. Everything worked perfectly.
