Bikes & Set Ups: Distance 45
Posted By Kristen Legan
On 2 July 2020
Rider:
Simon Taulelle – Shimano Gravel Alliance rider
Location:
Marseille, France
Bike:
Distance 45
Size:
58
Drivetrain:
Shimano GRX Di2
Brakes:
Shimano GRX / Dura Ace rotors
Wheels:
650b Shimano GRX
Tires:
WTB Rangers 27.5x2.0
Saddle:
Specialized Power Arc
Stem:
Enve 90mm
Seat post:
Enve
Handlebar:
Easton EX70
Headset:
White Industries
Bottom Bracket:
White Industries
Bar tape:
Lizard Skins DSP 3.2mm
Bottle mount:
King Cage steel & Cargo mount
Valves:
Peaty's x Chrisking
//What is Distance?
Distance is the logical extension of the Victoire Cycles adventure. Victoire is now well known for building custom-made steel bikes at their Beaumont workshop, in central France. Those bicycles are out-of-the-ordinary machines, each bike is unique and require a lot of manufacturing time. The waiting time is consequently high and the prices are proportional to the quality of the work that goes into such a process.
With Distance, the advantage is that you can benefit from the same knowledge and craftsmanship, but in a reduced time frame and price point. The bikes are manufactured by hand in the same workshop and by the same people. The welding technique and the Columbus tubing remains the same as for some Victoire bikes. The only difference is that instead of custom-made bikes, you can choose between 9 "standard" frame sizes and 6 colours.
This bike is really fun to ride and knowing that it has been manufactured just a few hundred kilometers away from my home make me really connected to the bike and the people who made it.
//Favourite things about the bike?
The beautiful handmade Columbus steel frame. The welds are so clean, it looks like a single piece of steel.
//Favourite sound?
That GRX Di2 "bzzz bzzz" shifting sound!
//Preferred terrain?
The lovely gravel roads around my place in Marseille.
//Tell us a bit more about the build:
I wanted something homogeneous and efficient. In the meantime, the bike has been designed to survive in the rocks and dust from south of France.
So, this Distance 45 is built around the new Shimano GRX Di2 groupset. The wheels are also from the Shimano GRX range. I choose the 650b option fitted with the excellent WTB Ranger tires in 27.5 x 2.0.
This is for the moment the best compromise between comfort and rolling resistance for my off-road practice and it goes without saying that here, in Marseille, with 300 days of sunshine a year, there is no need for mud clearance at all!
To properly finish the bike, the build is completed with beautiful parts from Enve, White Industries and also King Cage.
//What is it like to ride?
It's the perfect combination of comfort and performance! The bike is well proportioned and feels easy to handle, but in the same time it remains very lively and playful, especially in the accelerations!
The natural inertia of steel smooths out most of the terrain's imperfections and allows you to pedal for hours without pain. Oh, and this Di2 GRX is simply brilliant. From the brakes to the shifting, I love everything about it and those brake hoods are game changer, for real!
//What next?
I'll basically get this bike dusty continuing my #explorelocals mission, doing some more overnighters and multi-day bikepacking trips with friends from PCR Gravier.
In August, I’ll also take the bike on a long-distance road adventure using my 700c wheels/dynamo setup.