Civilian Bicycle Co.

Le Roi Le Veut

Unsatisfied with what was available from mainstream manufacturers, Tyson Hart set out building frames under the Civilian brand in 2005. Relying on a combination of extensive personal experience and close work with clients, Hart crafted cyclocross, commuting, and mountain bicycles. 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 retains the same attention to detail that was developed through Hart's custom pieces, and it's packaged for the masses. The frame is 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, 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 mitigates 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 is leading the disc brake movement. The Avid BB5 mechanical calipers and mud-shedding 160mm front and 140mm rear wave cut rotors are mated to Tektro RL340 brake levers, so you'll have all the power and modulation you need.

Disc brakes stop the Le Roi Le Veut, 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 39-tooth chainring, with an 18-tooth cog out back.

The Le Roi Le Veut doesn't come with a singlespeed-specific wheelset, as the 18-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 a one-by-whatever-you-wish.

The Le Roi Le Veut wheelset consists of double-walled alloy rims with 32 spokes laced to Formula 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 comes in 50, 53, 55, 57, 59, and 61cm sizes, and it's available in the color Royal Purple.