SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - The 2017 North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS) this past weekend showcased many great works of art, and Cyclocross Magazine was at the show, covering some of the cyclocross and gravel offerings that caught our photographer's eye. Take an up-close look at the bike that won the award for Best Gravel Bike.
When we chatted with the guys from Mosaic Cycles at last year's NAHBS, it was truly a family affair. That still holds true and Aaron Barcheck and his brother Jack won the NAHBS award this year for their GT-1 gravel bike. Jack cuts the tubes and preps the frame and Aaron does the welding. Mosaic is now in its fifth year of building custom bikes.
The ti gravel bike featured here is actually Aaron's own personal bike, and he feels that titanium is a perfect material for gravel especially given the variety of terrain around his Boulder, Colorado neighborhood.
Aaron's GT-1 is also very unique because of the custom painting that matches from the handelbar to the seatpost to the fenders. The paintwork is intricate and virtually flawless, no doubt a big factor weighing in on all of the judges' minds.
This bike also features internally routed brakelines, flat mount disc brakes and with the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 drivetrain, there are no cable stops.
If fenders aren't your thing, the ENVE GRD fork allows for easy removal of its built-in fender. There is also tire clearance with room for up to 38c tires, which is somewhat limited in today's era of 40c and fatter rubber, but don't mistake this bike for a monster cross or adventure bike.
Full photo gallery below. See our growing coverage of cyclocross and gravel bikes from the 2017 NAHBS here.
Mosaic GT-1 Gravel Bike Spec Highlights:
Frame: 3/2.5 double-butted titanium
Fork: ENVE GRD with fender
Headset: Chris King
Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000
RD: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070
FD: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070
Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace
Shifter/Brake Levers: Shimano Dura-Ace
Stem: ENVE 120mm
Seatpost: ENVE 30.9
Wheels: ENVE M50 carbon rims
Tires: Clement Strada USH 700x32c
More info: mosaiccycles.com