Just in: Hersh Trinity

Hersh is an Italian brand that is relatively new to these shores. We were very impressed with the Speed model when we reviewed it last summer, and now we’ve got our hands on the Trinity, which is their top-end frameset and offers a bespoke carbon frame, made in Italy, for £2,000.

The key difference between the Trinity and the Speed we tested previously is that Trinity is a fully bespoke model. The sizing, geometry, finish and even the build, if you buy it as a complete bike, is tailored to your exact requirements and specifications.

The Trinity frame is handmade in Italy using a tube-to-tube construction process, which allows the customisation of each frame, something that just isn't available with the more widespread mould construction process. Hersh has used a combination of Toray 800 carbon fibre and M46J carbon in this frame, and they reckon a medium size frame weighs 860g, so it’s pretty light without being crazy light.

It’s a very smart and simple looking frame. A result of the tube-to-tube construction process is a limitation on a frame designers influence, so there are no heavily sculptured or shaped tube profiles here. Instead, the main tubes are all simple round tubes. It just looks like a traditional road bike. Some will like this elegant simplicity. 

There’s plenty of oversizing evident in those round tubes though. Both the top and down tubes are very large diameter, and there is a press-fit bottom bracket, all suggesting a high level of stiffness should be clear when it comes to riding it. Comfort has been considered though, the seatstays are very slender throughout their length,  pinching in at the rear brake mount. The gear and brake cables are, as is common these days, internally routed.

We obviously haven’t gone through the custom process with Hersh, but fortunately this bike measures up just right for the tester we have lined up for it. It should be ideal for assessing the performance and handling of the frame. One of the options also available on this frame, but not specced on this actual one, is an integrated seatmast. You can also customise the paint job. For this frame they've settled on a nice white over naked carbon finish, and it's a good looking bike. There are a few logos, but not too many, and a reminder of where it's made is printer on the inside of the chainstay.

The frame costs £2,000. That’s a lot of money, but actually, for a bespoke carbon frame made in Italy, it's not bad. You can pay more for a frame with no custom option, just off-the-shelf sizes and paint jobs. It compares favourably then with other Italian made bespoke carbon frames we’ve tested, such as the Sarto Seta (£3,800), Nerve 600SL (£2,999) and Alchemy Helios (£3,320).

If you want a complete bike, Hersh offer a choice of builds. Choose a Shimano Ultegra groupset, Vision Trimax wheels and Deda finishing kit for £3,700, or upgrade to Dura-Ace for £4,900.

Our test bike has a mix of SRAM Red and Force components, Ritchey bars, stem and seatpost, and wheels comprising Stan’s NoTubes Alpha 304 rims laced to spindly hubs, with Vredestein tyres. The build has certainly produced a light bike, as on the road.cc scales it’s just 6.65kg (14.66lb).

And yes, we know, the saddle ain't straight - it was photographed straight from the box, it'll be properly set up for test ride. 

Watch out for a review soon. 

Find out more at www.hersh-bikes.co.uk