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Just In: Enigma Escape - updated titanium gravel bike arrives for review

Enigma's titanium Escape gravel bike gets a host of updates

Enigma introduced the Escape in 2017 and since then the British company has seen demand for gravel and adventure bikes grow, so this year it has updated the bike with bigger tyre clearance and a few other changes to keep it abreast of the latest developments. Here’s a shufty at the new bike before it goes out for review.

- 22 of the best gravel & adventure bikes — super-versatile bikes that are at home on lanes, potholed streets and dirt roads

Enigma Escape - top tube.jpg

The appropriately named Escape isn’t the company’s first gravel bike, that honour goes to the old Ecroix, a bike born from cyclocross DNA. The Escape looks to have all the things we look for in a bike that is designed to be as at home on a muddy bridleway as it is cruising along a country lane.

The design brief for the bike says it all: "To create a drop handlebar bike without limits. It should be capable of sustained off-road use, loaded or unloaded. The ride should inspire confidence, with stable handling and maximise tyre clearance. It should be our most versatile model that can take on any conditions," says Enigma.

Enigma Escape - cable route.jpg

At its heart is a 3AL 2.5V titanium tubeset with size-specific tubing being introduced on this new model, a quite significant change and something we’re seeing a lot of big bike brands do. This has allowed Enigma to better tune the ride quality and reduce weight for each frame size. It has also improved the standover clearance on smaller models.

Enigma Escape - seat stays 1.jpg

Tyre clearance has been boosted so it’ll now take 700x45mm tyres or 650bx50mm. It achieved this by increasing the chainstay spacing and developing a new fork.

Enigma Escape - fork.jpg

The carbon fork is brand new. It’s called the CSix and comes in two versions, with or without Anything cage mounts. Each fork has internal routing for the brake hose and a dynamo hub, so it just comes down to how much carrying capacity you want. A fork with uncut steerer tube weighs a claimed 435g.

Enigma Escape - bottom bracket.jpg

You’ll have spotted the external cable routing by now. Enigma chose this over internal routing because it feels it’s better suited to the riding this bike is going to be used for, where easy maintenance is desirable, whether it’s at home or in the middle of the wilderness.

Don't worry, the cables and hoses are very neatly routed along the frame, running under the down tube so they are out of sight at least. The frame is fully compatible with 1x and 2x drivetrains as well as electronic groupsets.

Enigma Escape - rear disc brake.jpg

Versatility is an oft-used word when talking about gravel bikes, and it’s one of their great appeals. The Escape has lots of eyelets including for mudguards and racks, a third bottle cage and our test bike has a new fork with Anything mounts, a triple bolt system that allows a wide range of racks and bottle cages to be fitted.

Other sensible details to bring to your attention include the external threaded bottom bracket. Disc brakes are flat mount callipers with 12mm thru-axles.

Enigma Escape - drivetrain.jpg

The frameset costs from £2,185 and complete bike like the one pictured here with Shimano RX800 costs £3,899. The groupset is a mechanical 2x setup with an 11-34t cassette and 48/31t chainset. Wheels are Hunt 4Season Gravel Discs shod with 38mm wide Panaracer Gravel King tyres and finishing kit, aside from the PRO Discover flared handlebar, is all Enigma branded with an alloy stem, carbon seatpost and Ellipse saddle.

Enigma Escape - rear mech.jpg

“The Escape draws on 14 years of titanium manufacturing experience and product evolution. As a rider coming from an MTB and touring background, I’ve particularly enjoyed testing and developing the Escape on the bridleways of the South Downs, seeing the original version prove itself on tours and endurance races worldwide. The updated model refines a successful formula for an even more versatile ride, suitable for a huge range of tyres, groupsets and to fit any size of rider. We’re proud to offer the Escape MKII as part of our 2020 range,” says Brand Manager Richard Lambert.

off.road.cc tested the previous version of the Escape back in 2017, where it got a very good review, so we have high expectations for this new bike.

- The best titanium gravel and adventure bikes you can buy

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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22 comments

Avatar
allaninternational | 4 years ago
0 likes

@davearthur - any update on when your review is out?

first world problem: I'm seriously considering pulling the trigger ASAP on one of these (as hopefully an all-in-one quiver killer audax/endurance road bike and gravel rig), so would be keen to know your thoughts on it's use as a 700c endurance road bike (for eg vs the etape), and it's handling w/ 650b wheels on. any compromise with handling with differing BB drop and BB clearance with the two set ups? (having discussed this w/ Mark Reilly last year with regard to the gradient, he seemed to intimate there was always a trade off if using one bike with both wheel standards). the set ups i'm looking are coming in at over £4k, so for that kinda money i could almost consider a lower spec fairlight secan and a strael 2 which would defo cover both bases.

Avatar
Paul7189 | 4 years ago
1 like

I have ordered one myself with 2x grx and it arrives on Thursday!!! So excited always wanted a titanium bike! Enigma are so easy to deal with just email them what you're after and they can tailor everything to your needs. Mine has a different group set and wheels to what was originally on the website at the time of ordering. Also I have gone for my name and a Pan Celtic Race logo (it's an ultra race I'm doing in July and they are a sponsor of) etched onto the frame. Couldn't be happier!

Avatar
Enigmabicycles | 4 years ago
1 like

Mungecrundle - Yes flat bar is no problem. Depending on your fit, you may be able to take a stock frame and build with a flat bar, or it might make more sense to have a custom frame with a longer top tube made. If you email us with your height / saddle height / flexibility and other preferences we can look at this and send you a draft design/spec.  The Snowdon Paradox is a frame made by us, (but designed, marketed and sold by Snowdon) specifically for flat bar, so if their stock geometry works for you that is also an option. The gravel frame they offer is based on an Escape with some small tweaks. 

Alan Sherman - You can add inline barrel adjusters where the cables exit the tape. Personally I find the latest (Shimano) systems need very little adjustment, and have not felt the need to do this on my own bike. Their front derailliers now also have a tension adustment at the cable clamp whereas for previous generations a cable adjuster of some sort was a benefit when setting up. 

Mudguard mounts are on the back of the fork leg. They require a small adaptor which SKS make. I agree that on the axle would be a little easier to fit, but these work fine. Other forks can be specified such as ENVE (+£200) which have a mount at the base of the fork blade. 

 

Richard

 

 

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alan sherman | 4 years ago
0 likes

I completely agree about the issue with creating holes at stressed areas for internal routing. I see you've gone full outer all the way, so no handy barrel adjusters for on the fly adjustments. The fork with dyno routing looks great, where are the mudguard mounts? Up the leg seems wrong to me. By the axle would be my preference.

I'd love to test this bike, the croix der fer Ti and Reilly gradient back to back. All great machines!

Avatar
Mungecrundle | 4 years ago
0 likes

Enigmabicycles.

Seriously, is a flat bar setup a viable option?

Avatar
Enigmabicycles | 4 years ago
0 likes

Hi Fraser,

Thank you for the comments. 

Yes you can specify whatever components you would like. We're advertising GRX600 in a 1x configuration and GRX800 with 2x, but you could have it the other way around if you prefer. The price would not change much but if you would like a definate quote please send us an email with your preffered spec and we will get back to you. 

If you like the Secan, check out our Endeavour model as that is also steel and pretty similar to the Escape. 

Richard

 

 

Avatar
fatmax | 4 years ago
0 likes

Richard /Enigma
Utterly beautiful, and love the spec. Will hopefully be getting this or a Fairlight Secan next year, for off road adventures and bikepacking.
Can the GRX be specced with a x2 chainset? Your website suggests not, but that's my ideal spec.
All the best
Fraser

Avatar
Enigmabicycles | 4 years ago
5 likes

Thanks all for the comments. To address a few points:

IanEdward - Thanks! Canti mounts can be offered by the way, included in the £300 custom option. 

Morat - How many online followers do you have? That's the way it works for a free bike nowdays! 

srchar - Yes that is correct, custom frameset for £2.5K with pretty much any features you would like. 8-10 week lead time. Bead/Mirror finish one of many options starting at £200. Can even add your name/custom logo. 

CyclingInBeastMode - Canti mounts are available for £300 as above. We don't offer them as standard - there is simply no demand for a wider tyre and rim brakes. Rim brake sales have gone from 50% to less than 20% and falling in the last year, that is all road bikes, not cross/gravel . The MTB industry converted 20 years ago and hasn't looked back! The same will happen with road. Unfortunately discs are more expensive, and with inflation plus the increased cost of imports due to the poor exchange rate (yes, BREXIT!), costs have gone up. Our prices are pretty reasonable compared to some, as highlighted above by srchar! 

Thanks again everyone, good to be able to explain things. 

Richard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avatar
pmurden | 4 years ago
0 likes

I think this looks awesome and 1) Love a proper threaded BB 2) have no issue with the routing as external does make more sense in my opinion 3) It's all about disc brakes in my opinion especially on anything that wants to go offroad. If my numbers come up tonight you I might just get one

Avatar
CyclingInBeastMode | 4 years ago
1 like

Another company who have all but removed rim braked bikes from their line up and gone the route of the rest with discs, simply doesn't attract me, no need for it braking wise even off road and aethetically it's ugly, shame as the frame is alright in itself.

You can get a 35mm Conti Gravel King under a 57mm caliper brake and with some frames get a 35mm road tyre under a mudguard as well (have seen it so know it to be true). All about frame design but because the focus is on discs frame design to accept wider tyres for rim brakes has been utterly ignored. With V/Canti pegs you can go to 50mm wide with 700C 

If Cantis were good enough for CX World Champions in ridiculously muddy conditions then they're good enough for me though I use mini Vs which are epic stoppers in all conditions.

As an aside 4 years ago you could get the top-spec Dura-Ace Mavic Ksyrium SLS  Evade for £3,899 according to the Road CC review at the time, how things have changed!

Avatar
IanEdward | 4 years ago
1 like

Good response Richard! There are still those of us who like flexibility and ease of swappability over aesthetics.

Now if you could go one step further and do one with canti posts you can take my money!

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Mungecrundle | 4 years ago
0 likes

Maybe I'm some sort of sick weirdo, but I'd very much like a bike of this spec with a flat bar setup, though I'd assume it's not as simple as just changing the bar, stem and controls.

But maybe as simple as buying a Snowdon Paradox when Mrs Mungecrundle isn't looking.

Avatar
Enigmabicycles | 4 years ago
7 likes

Richard from Enigma here. Thanks for the comments, would like to clarify a few points: 

We do offer T47 / Internal as an option on all our frames. To have an Escape with T47/ Internal routing and custom geometry (no extra charge for this as we would be starting from scratch anyway) is £300. 

The choice not to use T47/internal on a stock frame is not down to cost. We aready have a design set up and the tooling / labour difference is insignificant, so we could easily offer the frame for the same price with these features if we felt that was the right decision. 

The reason for the choice is as follows:

1) Full internal cables (through the BB) will require T47. Many customers are not interested in anything other than BSA.  

2) The ports required for 3x internal cables require a large hole in the frame, which isn't going to make the frame any stronger. In our opinion it doesn't always look that good either, the large oval ports you commonly see in particular are not very elegant. We recommend internal brake only with Di2 or Sram Wireless, for looks and longevity. 

3) I agree that hydraulic systems are generally reliable and should not need regular maintenance, however this is a bike people choose for world touring and endurance racing. In the unlikely event you do need to swap a hose/cable you would be very glad not to have internal cables. 

4) Although you may not need to perform any maintenance, many riders do like to swap groupsets, change from 2x to 1x, try out a Di2 or wireless set up. The system we use is easily adaptable and does not leave any excess ports/guides on the frame, so looks great with any set up. 

 

We will be offering our future road frames with T47/internal as standard, but the Gravel/Touring/Audax models will likely stay as they are for now. 

 

Remember - if you want that set up it's no problem, £300 extra will get you whatever set up you would like! 

 

Thanks,

 

Richard (frame design, fitting, sales and more) 

 

 

Avatar
Morat replied to Enigmabicycles | 4 years ago
2 likes

Enigmabicycles wrote:

Richard from Enigma here. Thanks for the comments, would like to clarify a few points: 

We do offer T47 / Internal as an option on all our frames. To have an Escape with T47/ Internal routing and custom geometry (no extra charge for this as we would be starting from scratch anyway) is £300. 

The choice not to use T47/internal on a stock frame is not down to cost. We aready have a design set up and the tooling / labour difference is insignificant, so we could easily offer the frame for the same price with these features if we felt that was the right decision. 

The reason for the choice is as follows:

1) Full internal cables (through the BB) will require T47. Many customers are not interested in anything other than BSA.  

2) The ports required for 3x internal cables require a large hole in the frame, which isn't going to make the frame any stronger. In our opinion it doesn't always look that good either, the large oval ports you commonly see in particular are not very elegant. We recommend internal brake only with Di2 or Sram Wireless, for looks and longevity. 

3) I agree that hydraulic systems are generally reliable and should not need regular maintenance, however this is a bike people choose for world touring and endurance racing. In the unlikely event you do need to swap a hose/cable you would be very glad not to have internal cables. 

4) Although you may not need to perform any maintenance, many riders do like to swap groupsets, change from 2x to 1x, try out a Di2 or wireless set up. The system we use is easily adaptable and does not leave any excess ports/guides on the frame, so looks great with any set up. 

 

We will be offering our future road frames with T47/internal as standard, but the Gravel/Touring/Audax models will likely stay as they are for now. 

 

Remember - if you want that set up it's no problem, £300 extra will get you whatever set up you would like! 

 

Thanks,

 

Richard (frame design, fitting, sales and more) 

 

 

 

I don't believe a word of it! Please send me a test bike to prove your point. Size XL, I'll give it back in good condition. In about 10 years.

Avatar
Rik Mayals unde... replied to Enigmabicycles | 4 years ago
0 likes

Enigmabicycles wrote:

Richard from Enigma here. Thanks for the comments, would like to clarify a few points: 

We do offer T47 / Internal as an option on all our frames. To have an Escape with T47/ Internal routing and custom geometry (no extra charge for this as we would be starting from scratch anyway) is £300. 

The choice not to use T47/internal on a stock frame is not down to cost. We aready have a design set up and the tooling / labour difference is insignificant, so we could easily offer the frame for the same price with these features if we felt that was the right decision. 

The reason for the choice is as follows:

1) Full internal cables (through the BB) will require T47. Many customers are not interested in anything other than BSA.  

2) The ports required for 3x internal cables require a large hole in the frame, which isn't going to make the frame any stronger. In our opinion it doesn't always look that good either, the large oval ports you commonly see in particular are not very elegant. We recommend internal brake only with Di2 or Sram Wireless, for looks and longevity. 

3) I agree that hydraulic systems are generally reliable and should not need regular maintenance, however this is a bike people choose for world touring and endurance racing. In the unlikely event you do need to swap a hose/cable you would be very glad not to have internal cables. 

4) Although you may not need to perform any maintenance, many riders do like to swap groupsets, change from 2x to 1x, try out a Di2 or wireless set up. The system we use is easily adaptable and does not leave any excess ports/guides on the frame, so looks great with any set up. 

 

We will be offering our future road frames with T47/internal as standard, but the Gravel/Touring/Audax models will likely stay as they are for now. 

 

Remember - if you want that set up it's no problem, £300 extra will get you whatever set up you would like! 

 

Thanks,

 

Richard (frame design, fitting, sales and more) 

 

 

It hasn't put me off Richard. I am currently waiting for my new bike to be built. Should be ready for collection in the next couple of weeks or so.  Etapé frame, 12 speed Record groupset, Hope hubs and calipers. Should look great. Having test rode an Etapé for a customer of my local bike shop, I fell in love with it and vowed to have one, one day. External cables means I can service and maintain it myself, although it will be a little trickier to clean all the crap from between the cables on the downtube after a run on our shitty lanes. 

Avatar
srchar replied to Enigmabicycles | 4 years ago
1 like

Enigmabicycles wrote:

Richard from Enigma here. Thanks for the comments, would like to clarify a few points: 

We do offer T47 / Internal as an option on all our frames. To have an Escape with T47/ Internal routing and custom geometry (no extra charge for this as we would be starting from scratch anyway) is £300.

That's £2185 for the frame and fork and £300 for custom geo, so full custom Ti frameset for £2.5k?

I'm currently trying to justify a Bokeh Ti over aluminium. It seems you can split the difference between the two Bokehs on price, with custom geo and a T47 BB... correct?

EDIT: Ooh and bead blasted finish for another £200. Hmm...

EDIT 2: Just seen the Endeavour in that fade grey/white paint! I think I'm in love.

Avatar
Wilts Cyclist replied to Enigmabicycles | 4 years ago
1 like
Enigmabicycles wrote:

Richard from Enigma here. Thanks for the comments, would like to clarify a few points: 

We do offer T47 / Internal as an option on all our frames. To have an Escape with T47/ Internal routing and custom geometry (no extra charge for this as we would be starting from scratch anyway) is £300. 

The choice not to use T47/internal on a stock frame is not down to cost. We aready have a design set up and the tooling / labour difference is insignificant, so we could easily offer the frame for the same price with these features if we felt that was the right decision. 

The reason for the choice is as follows:

1) Full internal cables (through the BB) will require T47. Many customers are not interested in anything other than BSA.  

2) The ports required for 3x internal cables require a large hole in the frame, which isn't going to make the frame any stronger. In our opinion it doesn't always look that good either, the large oval ports you commonly see in particular are not very elegant. We recommend internal brake only with Di2 or Sram Wireless, for looks and longevity. 

3) I agree that hydraulic systems are generally reliable and should not need regular maintenance, however this is a bike people choose for world touring and endurance racing. In the unlikely event you do need to swap a hose/cable you would be very glad not to have internal cables. 

4) Although you may not need to perform any maintenance, many riders do like to swap groupsets, change from 2x to 1x, try out a Di2 or wireless set up. The system we use is easily adaptable and does not leave any excess ports/guides on the frame, so looks great with any set up. 

 

We will be offering our future road frames with T47/internal as standard, but the Gravel/Touring/Audax models will likely stay as they are for now. 

 

Remember - if you want that set up it's no problem, £300 extra will get you whatever set up you would like! 

 

Thanks,

 

Richard (frame design, fitting, sales and more) 

 

 

I love this bike and agree with comments about weakening frame with holes for internal routing. I've seen in social media and from club member three Ti frames cracked in same place next to internal cable port.

I've got an Etape - which I love - the cables don't really show and are easily cleaned. Plus full length outers really keep everything running nicely.

This is now my +1 bike.

Avatar
ktache | 4 years ago
2 likes

My new bicycle has full run outer and external cables, not the tidyiest look, but so easy to change things, it will be wasteful in cable ties, but so simple.

Avatar
peter_t replied to ktache | 4 years ago
0 likes

ktache wrote:

My new bicycle has full run outer and external cables, not the tidyiest look, but so easy to change things, it will be wasteful in cable ties, but so simple.

Sure, but all being well you wouldn't need to change things for quite a while.

My larger point is perhaps that as I've been researching a new frameset with disc brakes, almost everyone quotes the easy maintenence benefits when what they really mean is they are hitting a price-point for a frameset, easier and quicker to construct etc. Just be honest and clear. This frameset looks amazing, well built; just be up-front with it.

Avatar
Trickytree1984 | 4 years ago
0 likes

Totally agree. Modern frame, external routing, no buy.

Avatar
peter_t replied to Trickytree1984 | 4 years ago
0 likes

Trickytree1984 wrote:

Totally agree. Modern frame, external routing, no buy.

Pretty sure their Excel GR bike has internal routing and t47 (or is an option £225), for the record - it's more money, but looks like a better longterm purchase; tempted myself. This one, I agree, no buy.

Avatar
peter_t | 4 years ago
0 likes

"You’ll have spotted the external cable routing by now. Enigma chose this over interna routing because it feels it’s better suited to the riding this bike is going to be used for, where easy maintenance is desirable, whether it’s at home or in the middle of the wilderness."

I really don't understand this cut-and-paste comment from so many similar frameset reviews, the whole point of hydro hoses is that it makes the maintenance so much less - the point to put them internal is to get them out of the way, if you actually ride this bike and get it dirty every time; those hoses are really going to be a pain for years to come.  The better frames are now using t47 bb's and bingo, hoses can be neatly routed internally, without loss of performance before you comment.

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