Velocite is a young company which was founded in 2008. We recently had the chance to review their Selene Road model and realised they are a company to keep an eye on - they are doing some big things.

• Name/Model: Selene frame from Velocite bikes
• Website: velocite-bikes.com/
• Weight: 1300g, size XL
• Competitors: Colossi, more to come . . .
  

History

In this day and age, new bike companies spring up like little mushrooms after autumn rains - they seem to be never-ending. And, like so many little mushrooms, most of these new bike companies make little or no impact, failing to grow into anything significant.

The brands that have managed to develop and to reach out to new customers - think Cervelo, Canyon, Felt - have done so not simply because of slick marketing departments - but because of the quality of their products.

The Velocite bike company began making frames and parts in 2008, though as this is a brand run by cyclists who happen to be scientists and engineers, a Velocite bike relies on years of knowledge, drawing on a deep experience of the materials and techniques that combine to make a truly high-end product. And the price will grab you . . . 

Velocite, though registered in the USA, has it HQ in Taiwan, in Taichung, the heart of the world’s bicycle manufacturing industry. A unique relationship exists here; the Velocite team works very closely with the production center to help deliver the best products at least 18 months ahead of the mainstream market. Velocite’s design team help the production center to develop their own designs, then get these designs and market them to riders like you (and me. . .) - the production center in return gains access to Velocite’s wealth of engineering expertise. Thus, what Velocite does will end up in the mainstream designs of many major brands - 18 months after Velocite are done with them.

The Velocite range utilises a variety of materials, but there is one common feature behind the build philosophy of each bike and wheelset - extracting the maximum stiffness at the minimum weight. The Velocite promise is impressive stiffness at the lowest possible weight, combined with the knowledge that each product has passed the EN/CEN (European Committee for Standardisation) safety and fatigue tests.

We really liked the Velocite wheels - they brought the package together nicely

Victor from Velocite summarised their business for us nicely, "We have no heritage and therefore no legacy to hold us back, and no traditions to satisfy. We will simply make the best possible products free of gimmicks and free of dubious engineering choices. Velocite products are also free of improbable marketing claims - when you buy a Velocite product you will receive the performance that we promised you, or even more.”

One thing we realise as we work in the Asia cycling industry each day is how many fantastic companies there are - which no one has heard of. Velocite is one of them!

First Impressions

Out of the box and on the table for a quick look, and straight away you can see that this is a handsome frame. A little understated, some may feel, with it’s combination of grey and very light gun-metal blue, but those with a more discerning eye will see that the designer got the balance just right on the Selene. This is a bike that doesn’t scream “look at me!” as so many modern paint jobs do, rather you are invited to slowly take in its refined colours, its nicely-matured sensibilities. A welcome change to most of what is on offer out there.

The other thing that catches the eye about the Velocite Selene is the welding. There’s enough beefiness there to give the impression at least that a lack of stiffness isn’t going to be a major factor, and as you run a hand over the double welds you can appreciate the craftsmanship of the individual that handled the torch.

The geometry of the Selene looks quite tight, but the geometry chart has you looking again - the frame is built to the same specifics as the carbon Velocite Helios, and is designed to bring the comfort of a frame designed for stage racing. That may suggest an unresponsive feel, but as my first ride on the Selene proved, nothing could be further from the truth.

The Ride

There is something about a good alloy bike that I have always loved. I think it’s that connection that you feel immediately to the road, more so than when you ride carbon - unless it’s a very good carbon frame. As someone once said, “Top quality alloy is better than poor quality carbon.” Very true words. And the Selene makes excellent use of its top quality alloy.

After taking it easy and getting used to the feel of the bike, I headed out beyond the traffic lights and finally got to a stretch of road where I could put the Selene to the test. I did a series of short sprints, then wound it out to a couple of 1km efforts, flat out on a straight road. No matter how much I pushed the bike, it responded firmly. There was no discernible flex in the BB area which was a pleasant suprise. And I say suprise because I was wondering if the comfortableness I’d felt on the Selene as I rode out of the city was due to a lack of stiffness. But no, the frame felt firm, stiff and fast.

Next I headed into the hills to do some repeats on a favourite climb, a 1.8km hill with a  8% average. Again, when I hit the steep 11% sections and dropped into a 39x21,  I had no trouble getting up at my usual speed. The frame is a little heavier than the carbon frame I usually ride, but at 1300g for the XL, that’s good for alloy, and the benefits of the frame’s stiffness and responsiveness exceed any concerns about weight.
On the descents the Selene handled perfectly, guiding me over the rather poorly-surfaced road with confidence and ease. That stage-racing geometry belies a bike that would very well be at home in any inner-city criterium or on a one day race course. The forks are also more than adequate and compliment the frame very well.

The Package

The test bike came with Ultegra brakes and front and rear mechs, an FSA Gossamer crank, FSA Wing Pro handlebars, FSA SL-K stem, TRP R920 brakes in a very attractive white finish, a Prologo saddle, the Velocite seatpost and the company’s own Velocite MONC 50 carbon 50mm wheelset.

A nice tidy package

A review on the wheels will follow - briefly I will say that so far they appear to be good value for money - and the mix of components, though not a matching groupset, compliment one another well. I would switch the brakepads personally, being a fan of the Lightweight brake pads, and also the Vittoria Diamante Pro tyres -though decent they don’t offer the qualities of a top Continental or top Vittoria tyre. My only other gripe was the seatpost, which has a two-bolt system with the front bolt so close to the seatpost that it is very hard to adjust, and could caused the allen key to scratch up the carbon if you are not careful.

However, Velocite offer a number of componentry and parts packages, so you are sure to be able to find a package that suits your requirements.

Pros

• Excellent finish work
• Stiff ride
• Understated

Not so pros . . .

• No big bike brand label - yet . . .
• Too stiff for some . . .
• Understated
• Seat post . . an easy swap though

The bottom line

What do we all look for in a bike (well it really depends on what we're using it for but . . .)? Good looks, stiffness, ride quality, a decent weight and value for money. The Velocite Selene has all of these. There’s the added bonus of a lifetime warranty thrown in, which says a great deal about the confidence Velocite have in their products.

If you’re looking for a superlight carbon machine that will make a hole in your wallet, this bike is not for you. If you’re looking for a refined statement that is everything a good bike should be, and suggests you know a thing or two about bicycles, then the Velocite Selene could be just what you are looking for.

Want to contribute to the Asia cycling community? Drop us a line and report for us!

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