Civilian Bicycle Co.

Le Roi Le Veut De Lux

Built from the same proven frame and fork platform as the Le Roi Le Veut, Civilian's new De Lux model of this singlespeed cross machine was spec'd with a more 'deluxe' parts package and belt-drive system. This means you'll be ready to rally through all your cross races with speed, comfort, and unparalleled style this upcoming season.

The Civilian bicycle brand was started in 2005 by Tyson Hart, who, at the time, was becoming increasingly unsatisfied with what mainstream frame manufacturers were churning out. Relying on a combination of extensive personal experience and close work with clients, Hart began crafting cyclocross, commuting, and mountain bikes. The distinctive cyclocross bikes saw action around the West Coast's popular 'cross series, and they quickly gained a cult following for their seamless balance of a fun-to-ride attitude, lively handling, and overall responsiveness.

The Le Roi Le Veut De Lux retains the same attention to detail that was developed through Hart's custom pieces, and it's available for the masses. To start, the frame was constructed from 4130 double-butted steel tubing. This springy, lightweight steel helps keep your pocketbook flush, yet provides the durability and supple ride that cyclocross courses demand. Hart shaped the seatstays and chainstays to fight deflection while sprinting, but the construction won't beat you up on bumpy courses, or when jumping back on the saddle after a barrier hop.

At the back end of the Le Roi Le Veut De Lux, singlespeed Tange Design 7075 T6 aluminum sliding dropouts were integrated. The traditional front triangle is not so traditional, with the inclusion of a Civilian 'chubby' head tube. This oversized design provides front end stiffness for negotiating rutted courses with ease, and it fights deflection from the powerful front disc brake and stout, full-carbon, CX fork -- keeping the Le Roi Le Veut planted in high-speed turns, and stable under hard braking.

Because Civilian is about purpose-designed, no-nonsense functionality, you won't find canti posts on its cyclocross bicycles. But, because of UCI restrictions, these posts have continued to plague cyclocross bicycles -- until now. The UCI has lifted the ban, and the Le Roi Le Veut De Lux is leading the disc brake movement. The Avid BB7 mechanical calipers and mud-shedding 160mm front and 140mm rear wave cut rotors are mated to TRP RRL brake levers, so you have exceptional stopping power at both the front and rear.

Disc brakes stop the De Lux, and FSA Gossamer cranks make it go. Flex-resistant alloy crank arms transfer power efficiently. They spin on Mega Exo outboard bearings to ensure mud and grime won't force the bottom bracket into the trash after a season of racing. The cranks carry a 50-tooth chainring, with and 24-tooth cog out back. Don't balk at the seemingly high ratio, though, these sprocket sizes approximate a 39/19 ratio on a standard chain and cog setup. Compared to the original Le Roi Le Veut, the De Lux version was built up with a silky-smooth, silent belt-drive system.

The Le Roi Le Veut De Lux doesn't come with a singlespeed-specific wheelset, as the 24-tooth cog rides on a standard Shimano compatible freehub body with a spacer kit. This design breeds versatility. All you need to do is add a cassette, rear derailleur, rear derailleur hanger, and shifter to make the Le Roi Le Veut De Lux a one-by-whatever-you-wish.

The Le Roi Le Veut wheelset consists of double-walled alloy rims with 32 spokes laced to Formula DC-91 and DC-32 hubs. They're plenty durable for years of abuse and simple to service. Front and rear Kenda Kwicker 700c x 32mm tires have low-profile knobs. An alloy cockpit rounds out the build, with Ritchey aluminum handlebars, seatpost, and stem. Velo perforated bar tape and saddle complete the package.

The Civilian Le Roi Le Veut De Lux comes in 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, and 61cm sizes, and it's available in the color Gunmetal.