Author: Mosaic Admin

Long Format Gravel Racing Season has wrapped up and the much-anticipated ‘Short Track Gravel’ season is already well underway. Some riders still call it cyclocross, we’re not sure why? 

Anyway we caught up with former Single Speed “Cyclocross” National Champion, World Cup racer and Mosaic Cycles “Pro” Ben Frederick to see what he’s been up to so far. 

Ben! It’s been a minute. What have you um, been up to?

BUSY!! But in the best way. I’ve broken up my year to have a full California Long Form season where I was able to pilot my Mosaic GT-1 45 and MT-1 to a 2nd overall in the Grasshopper Gravel Series. After a break, in July (well, even June) we focused on sharpening up for Short Track Gravel. Not only was the plan to race at the highest level possible in the USCX Series, but The Small Monsters Project sponsored all of the Kids Races at each stop. AND we brought VIDEO into the mix. That combined with custom designing the Mosaic XT-1’s from the ground up, to the millimeter, it’s been a solid past few months. 

You’ve already nailed some pretty epic results. Tell us how that played out?
The level of cyclocross in the US is continually growing, and/or the kids are getting fast, AND/OR my age is catching up to me. All that said, I was able to finish 10th overall in the USCX Series! And the highlight of the trip from a results perspective was 4th on the C1 day at Trek USCX Round 7. It was a day where everything clicked, the confidence to push was there, and the legs held on. Getting a career result at 35 years old is not something I take for granted. Lots of work went into it, and man, did it feel good. 

Edit: Since this blog was originally written, Ben landed 6th place at Pan-Am Championships in Missoula, MT!

Cyclocross is all about maintaining forward momentum despite obstacles which is something you know about both on the race course and in real life. For those who don’t know your story, what happened?

Going into the 2016 season, I was on one of my final training rides and had a freak crash. My head hit soft sand, halting all my momentum, and causing a Traumatic Brain Injury. During the course of the TWO-YEAR recovery, there were long periods of time where I didn’t think bikes would be a part of my life anymore. The brain injury, along with losing my identity as a racer, (and even as a human being, really) brought on my “monsters” of depression and anxiety. They reared their head in the form of an eating disorder that ended in an intensive three-month stint in an In-Patient hospitalization facility. Yes, heavy, BUT it gave me the skills and space to learn more about my monsters. I learned that if you address them, you can live alongside them. They become small.  

And out of that you founded the Small Monsters Project. How is that going so far?

The Small Monsters Project is going well! Since its founding in 2021, we’ve raised almost $100,000 for programs that educate and provide resources for Concussion and Mental Health Challenges. We were able to sponsor all of the Kids Races at the USCX this year, sharing that it’s okay to have monsters, and that there’s hope. 

New Sponsor, new gear. Tell us about your bikes and what’s fresh and exciting this year?

Oh man. Oh man, oh man. How much time do we have? I’ve only raced metal bikes at the Elite level. I spent nine years on steel, and going to titanium is such a treat. The thing that made me MOST excited about working with Mosaic was the chance to build a cx bike from the ground up. The landscape of cx bikes in 2024 is mostly gravel-capable bikes with long stays, long wheelbases and compromise.** I wanted to build a bike that was a hyper-specific tool for the job. I wanted the venn diagram of my GT-1 (Grav) and XT-1 (CX) to barely overlap. We nailed it. The bike is so quick, the angles are steep and it gives me a bike that carves up a cx course. 

** It’s important to say that any bike can be a cx bike. ALL Bikes are welcome in cross. 

So you’re one of the only top riders on a metal bike. How do other riders in your field respond to that?

First, they drool over the paint that Randy came up with. The theme of my season was Perfectly Imperfect, a more organic take on the design from last year. They executed it perfectly. Secondly, they start to make fun of me about the weight of the bike, only to lift it up and find that it’s as light, if not lighter than their own BIG BRAND carbon bikes. 

You have a new project coming up, Lead Lap #projectleadlap. Tell us about that?

In the intro at the top of the page, I edited the “PRO” rider to have quotes. I work 40 hours a week for Ornot and also serve as the Executive Director of the Small Monsters Project. AND I have a lovely fiance and kittens that I focus on spending time with. The bike gets fit in and around there, which leads me to: 

This winter, I want to create a docu-series about what it’s like for someone with a full time job to go and race the biggest cycling (cyclocross) races in the world. This is a chance to see what an “average joe” can do when you balance your professional life with a high level of sport. But here’s the catch. I’m not going for a result, I’m going to just try and finish Lead Lap. These races will have World Champions, Grand Tour stage winners, and, well, World Class, full-time professional cyclists as deep as 40th place. On the surface, it seems like a low bar, but it would be such a cool “result” to have in my career.

And lest you get confused by youthful exuberance, my hairline and birth certificate show that I’m getting up there in age. There’s not going to be too many more cracks at this, so let’s send it and see what happens. 

This is not your first rodeo in European cyclocross. What’s it REALLY like over there? 

In short, it’s a different sport. It’s their national sport (behind soccer) and kids are on tubulars at age 8. I wasn’t riding competitively until I was 21 and only got on tubulars in my 30s. BUT it’s amazing that the riders over there are valued for the entertainment they bring. It shows what could be possible in the US. Riders over there get PAID to line up. You race for free. You bring people to the venues where they get over 10,000 at $20 a head. Its a stark contrast from the average of $500 a weekend out of pocket to race in the US. 

The courses?

Insane. It’s hard to even ride around them, much less think about racing them (relative to the US). They don’t have to worry about the amateur fields so they throw all the hardest things at us. 

The riders?

Huge, strong, nasty on the bikes. They’ve had more time with their bike two-wheel drifting in mud than I’ve had on the road. It’s amazing and inspiring to watch. 

The vibe?

Loud, drunk, muddy, friets, absolutely perfect

So this lead lap thing is pretty unique. I think a lot of riders would like to pull this off in any race they do…do you have a gameplan for how you’re preparing and racing differently than you did otherwise?

I wish I could say that I’m doing all these extra training sessions or have been training x number of hours more a week, but honestly, it’s just doing the same things I’ve been doing the past year, and the past few years. You stack enough bricks consistently, the foundation gets decently high. But in short, I’ve put together the best bikes and equipment out there, so the tools are there. My coach and I have been working on our Mental Game to race with abandon and fun, and I’ve been trying to do all the little things I can control. Sleeping as much as I can, eating well, and honestly riding as little as I can to get the most benefit. But I have a better idea of what’s coming this year, so I’ve focused on specific drills like rut practice and running very consistently since July. Hopefully that pays off.

Racing in Europe takes some cash and not even our own US National Team gets much support. How can we help you and the Small Monsters Project get out there to make this happen?

I want to bring everyone on the journey and I can only do that if we can get a filmer out there. So I have a Kickstarter launching next week to help offset my personal cost of getting my friend Danny out to the races, and also so we have some budget to get to the races to tell the story. Mosaic has stepped up in a huge way and are offering a Made to Order, 1-Level frame in The Small Monsters paintjob as a backer reward. If you were considering a Made to Order Mosaic, this is a GREAT chance to get one and help fund a lifetime trip and a great entertainment series. Beyond that, my other partners are offering rewards for backing. Anything is going to help make this happen. If you’re not able to back the project, it’s just as important to get it in front of other people’s eyes so that we can get this thing funded!

Stay tuned for more soon…

-Ben

A machine Made in America, fit for a US national champion.

When Brennan Wertz crossed the line in Gering, NE on September 8th establishing himself as the 2024 Elite Men’s Gravel National Champion, our race against the clock was only just beginning. With the 2024 season finale, The Big Sugar Classic under 6 weeks away, we cued the music and went full gas on an extra special build – an over the top, American Made, Stars and Stripes GT-1 i45. This GT-1 i45 is built to the exact same, millimeter perfect geometry as Brennan’s tried and true race bike, with the real task this time around being the development of a custom paint layout worthy of celebrating a national championship win.

Our paint team, Randy Caraballo (pictured below) and David Cogdill hit the ground running and quickly had a design in mind for the bike. It’s not particularly common for us to deviate from our standard paint layouts, so when a custom job comes across the desk, it’s definitely a fun one for everybody to be a part of. Creating a unique spin on the Stars & Stripes colorway was a challenge perfectly suited to the Mosaic Paint Department. As the paint team was scheming, simultaneously, Jamie Appleton, Ross Leopold and Aaron Barcheck did what they do best in the fabrication shop, and the frame was completed in record time.

In typical Brennan Wertz fashion, this GT-1 i45 leaves absolutely no stone unturned when it comes to the build. A SRAM XXSL Transmission rear derailleur is paired with a CeramicSpeed OSPW X Cage, which we just couldn’t resist painting to match… An ENVE Integrated Stem & Seatpost were painted to match corresponding parts of the frame, and the usual racey white decals top off the SES 4.5’s wheelset, custom built by Above Category with silver Chris King R45d hubs, and silver spokes all around.

 We’ll see you this weekend at Big Sugar Gravel! The Mosaic booth, Brennan’s Stars & Stripes GT-1 i45 included will be set up at the Big Sugar Gravel Expo on Thursday evening & all day on Friday. Friends old and new, we’d love to see you, so if you’re in Bentonville be sure to stop by and check out what we’ve been up to.

Come Saturday morning, it’s a show bike no more, as for the first time ever, we’ve got an Elite National Champ lined up on a matching Mosaic and that’s reason enough for us to celebrate! As a tremendously passionate and hard-working, but small crew of folks at Mosaic, it’s an honor to be in this position. And so for that, Brennan, thank you. Now – let’s go give it hell for one last time in 2024. That bike wants a victory salute…

 

Outdoor Images: Jim Merithew (@tinyblackbox)

Frameset Images: Mark Currie // Mosaic Cycles

We’re refreshing our demo fleet, so now’s your chance to score a lightly ridden, well-looked after Mosaic at a fraction of the cost! We’ve got a selection of GT-1 AR and GT-1 45 bikes below, in various sizes and build specifications. Bikes will be sold on a first-come, first served basis and will be sold as-is, with the exception of stem length – which we’re happy to tailor to your needs. To purchase an ex-demo bike or ask any clarifying questions, please email info@mosaiccycles.com. In the subject line, please include the Model & Size that you are inquiring about.

Aaron Barcheck Signature Edition GT-1 AR

Finishwork: Knockout // Pearl Deep Sea Green // Gloss

Groupset: Shimano GRX 815 Di2 Rear Derailleur, 11s Di2, Dura Ace 9100 Crankset (52/34, 175mm, Powermeter Not Included), XT M8000 Cassette (11-40), DuraAce 9150 Shifter/Brakes.

Wheelset: ENVE SES 3.4 AR Disc Wheelset w/ Chris King Bourbon Hubs

Cockpit: ENVE 27.2 Zero Offset SP, ENVE 120mm Stem, ENVE Standard Road Handlebar (44cm)

Accessories: Chris King Bourbon Hubs, BB, Headset, PRO Stealth Saddle, WTB Vulpine 700x36mm tires.

Condition: 8/10

Notes: Aaron Barcheck’s GT-1 AR. Dura Ace, ENVE, Chris King Bourbon. This bike is well ridden, but well taken care of, and has tons of life left to live.

Price: $6500

View more photos here.

 

 

Aaron Barcheck Signature Edition RT-1d

Finishwork: Knockout // McLaren Orange // Matte

Groupset: Shimano Dura Ace 9100 Rear Derailleur, 11s Di2, Dura Ace 9100 Crankset (52/36, 175mm, Dura Ace 9100 Cassette (11-30), DuraAce 9100 Shifter/Brakes.

Wheelset: Shimano Dura Ace 9170 C40 Wheelset

Cockpit: ENVE 30.9 Zero Offset SP, ENVE 120mm Stem, ENVE Standard Drop Handlebar (44cm)

Accessories: WTB Silverado Saddle, Donnelly CDG 700x30mm tires.

Condition: 6.5/10

Notes: Aaron Barcheck’s RT-1d. This bike is well ridden and shows normal signs of wear. Used, but not abused, all components in good working order for many more miles of enjoyable riding.

Price: $5000

View more photos here.

 

RT-1d // 58cm (Like New)

Finishwork: Knockout // Pearl Hydro Blue // Matte

Groupset: Shimano Ultegra 8050 RX Rear Derailleur, 11s Di2, Ultegra Crankset (50/34 172.5mm), Ultegra Cassette (11-30), Ultegra 8050 Shifter/Brakes.

Wheelset: ENVE SES 3.4 AR Disc Wheelset

Cockpit: ENVE 30.9 25mm Offset SP, ENVE 110mm Stem, ENVE Compact Road Bar (42cm)

Accessories: PRO Stealth Saddle, WTB Exposure 700x30mm tires.

Condition: 9.5/10 (Like New)

Notes: This bike and all components have been ridden <100 miles, in showroom condition.

Price: $7800

View more photos here.

 

GT-2 45 GRX Ltd // 54cm (Brand New, Unridden)

Finishwork: Mosaic Factory Finish // Titanium

Groupset: Shimano GRX Ltd. Rear Derailleur, 11s Mechanical, GRX Ltd Crankset (40T, 172.5mm), XT M8000 Cassette (11-40), GRX Ltd Shifter/Brakes

Wheelset: Shimano RX880 GRX Carbon Wheelset

Cockpit: Thomson Elite Stem (100mm), Thomson Elite Seatpost (25mm offset), Pro Vibe Handlebar (42cm)

Accessories: WTB Silverado Saddle, WTB Nano 40mm Tires

Condition: New, unridden.

Notes: This bike and all components have zero miles. Brand new & unridden, just assembled for photos.

Price: $6800

View more photos here.

 

Brennan Wertz is set to lead Team USA this weekend in Belgium at the UCI Gravel World Championships. It’s his second go around at UCI Gravel Worlds, after being selected for the team in 2023 and making the trip to race in Italy last fall. With a classics-style, Flanders course on tap, Brennan has his best opportunity yet to line up and race against the best in the world. 

Is Brennan the only rider in the Men’s Elite field riding a titanium bike? Having not entirely analyzed the start list yes, we’ll say yes, it’s entirely possible. Brennan’s always been one to do things his way in terms of equipment, seeking out products that he believes in, and give him the opportunity to play to his strengths. He’s one to roll the dice on a risky setup if it means there’s a tiny margin of potential gain, and that’s exactly the kind of decision that helped him win his first national title aboard his GT-1 iAR set up in big tire, big gear road bike mode – a stark contrast to many other bikes on the start line that day.

Brennan is back aboard his GT-1 i45 for UCI Gravel World Championships, a decision made logically, as it didn’t make sense to travel with two bikes. Not knowing exactly what the course conditions will hold, the GT-1 i45 provides a bit more flexibility in terms of setup come race day. With ample tire clearance for 700×48’s, and a 1x SRAM Transmission Drivetrain, the GT-1 i45 ticks all the right boxes for a proper bike tire gravel race bike.

Every GT-1 i45 starts life with the selection of a rider-specific double-butted titanium tubeset. Based on individual rider fit data provided by a Mosaic Dealer, each GT-1 i45 is then fine-tuned to match each rider’s specific fit requirements, handling preferences, and riding aspirations perfectly, the way only a Made-To-Order Mosaic can.

For Brennan’s GT-1 i45, the process is no different. Starting with his fit data from Above Category, we dial in 4 key bike fit measurements. Saddle Height, Saddle Setback, Handlebar Reach and Handlebar Drop are all measured from the centerline of the BB, and inform the decision about where exactly these contact points need to fall for every individual rider. Whether you’re on the end of the bell curve in terms of sizing, or right in the middle, a professional bike fit takes the guesswork out of this process and gives us the data we need to design the best bike possible. Starting with concrete data points ensures that your new bike will fit like a glove from the very first pedal stroke, and you’ll be confident and comfortable right away.

Once we’ve got the fit dialed in, it’s time to move onto how the bike should handle and feel. Given that the GT-1 i45 is a gravel race bike that’s likely to see rides and races of 10+ hours in the saddle, compliance and stability are two key considerations during the design process. Based on Brennan’s feedback on previous bikes, the goal set out was to create something responsive and racey, yet balanced with comfort and compliance over the long haul. Arriving at the finishline 1-2% less fatigued could always make the difference between the win, or otherwise.

For this particular GT-1 i45, we settle on a relatively standard GT-1 i45 tubeset opting for a 42mm downtube, 38mm top tube, 31.8mm seat tube and 16mm seatstays. Chainstays are our standard GT-1 i45 chainstays, and the geometry is long and slack enough to feel confident but not so much to make it feel cumbersome or slow. This combination, for a guy Brennan’s size and power output is exceptionally comfortable yet still packs a punch of performance when the time comes.  Could we have built something stiffer? Absolutely. More compliant? Absolutely. Every Made-to-Order Mosaic has a different rider and a different goal in mind, and tailoring each bike to perfectly match those is the beauty of the Made-to-order process.

Up front, an ENVE-In Route Gravel Fork paired to an 120mm ENVE In-Route Stem, and SES Aero Bar take care of cockpit duties. Brennan’s got wireless SRAM AXS blips attached all over his bars so that no matter where his hands might be, there’s a way to smash it into another gear. A SRAM XX SL Transmission Derailleur and 10-52 Cassette takes care of shifting duties, paired up with some special parts from Brennan’s partners SRM & CeramicSpeed. Depending on the course, you’ll see anywhere from a 48T to a 54T chainring up front… For the Flanders UCI Worlds course, we’re betting on the larger end of that spectrum. ENVE SES 4.5’s are the wheelset of choice, stiff, aerodynamic, and as durable as they come. Rene Herse handles the tires, sometimes knobby sometimes slick, and hopefully always with air in them 🙂

In the meantime, while Brennan’s racing in Europe, we’re hard at work on a special project for the season finale – The Big Sugar Classic. It’ll be Brennan’s first outing in the stars & stripes on home turf, and we’ve gotta do something special to celebrate that… Stay tuned, and be sure to tune in and watch the race on Sunday!

 

 

Show Bike #4 – Gone Fishin’. Aaron Barcheck’s GT-2X is a big tire, big adventure seeking machine. Inspired by the woods and the waters of the Colorado high country, this titanium adventure bike is the perfect companion for some ramblin’. Fitted out with a completely custom frame bag set from the very best to do it, JPaks, this GT-2x can carry you and your gear as far as you’re willing to take it. Fly fishing, weeknight overnights, or multi-state bikepacking adventures – bring it on.

Inspiration: Mosaic Artist Series #6, Scale – inspired by the surroundings that this GT-2X is designed for – the Colorado High Country. Designed for getting way out there, this GT-2X was made to order for Aaron’s specific fit, then built up with a parts kit with a focus on functionality and durability. ENVE SES 4.5’s were added to the build paired with high-volume WTB Ranger tires for a wheelset that’s responsive and fast rolling yet extremely capable regardless of the terrain.

Paint Technique: The Mossy Mountain Scale starts with a two color fade, Moto Green on top to Sage Green on the bottom.  A raw titanium Knockout Logo ties things together, a nod to the standard Mosaic Finishwork Program. The Scale pattern is then randomly stamped over the base color/colors to create an intricate, layered texture, one that you could never repeat to be exactly alike another. In this case – Oak Green, Lime Twist, Deep Sea Green and Olive Green make for an analogous & striking combination. Each frame takes approximately 20 hours of painting and sanding, and no two finishes are the same. We launched Scale with six base colors in early 2024, and after MADE, we’re up to 9!

The Bike: The GT-2x redefines adventure cycling by adding room for mountain bike gearing and tire widths up to 29×2.25. Designed to challenge the limits of what a gravel bike can do and blur the line between aggressive gravel and mountain biking, X models are available with SRAM UDH and feature geometry optimized for loaded handling and all-around capability. If you aim to ride across Alaska (we did) or simply want a gravel rig that can handle pretty much anything, the GT-X is your move.

The Build:
Mosaic GT-2 X Frameset (Made to Order)

JPaks Custom Bags

Mosaic Titanium Stem & Seatpost

ENVE SES 4.5 Wheelset

SRAM GX Eagle Transmission / Force Groupset

WTB Ranger 2.25 Tires

Mosaic pro Brennan Wertz recently stormed to a huge win at the USAC Gravel National Championships in Gering, Nebraska. We caught up with him and talked bikes before he heads off to his next big race: Gravel Worlds in Flanders.

Mosaic: Congrats on a big win at Nationals! Obviously, your setup worked out well. How specific/different was your setup in Nebraska? What changes did you make to your bike/gear for that race compared to some of your other races?

Brennan Wertz: I would say my Mosaic GT-1 iAR is my favorite race setup, and pretty much my all-time favorite bike. This would be my one bike for the rest of my life, if I had to choose such a thing. I don’t get to race it so much, but it shines in a very special set of circumstances: traditional fast gravel courses, dry conditions or at least no peanut butter mud. Normally my go-to setup would be the GT-1 i45, with a larger knobby tire and a 1x drivetrain, but this iAR setup is one I really love racing…I rode it last year at the old SBT GRVL course, last year’s Gravel Worlds Nebraska, U.S. National Championships, and a Grasshopper Race called the Huffmaster Hopper. It’s just super versatile, with quicker handling, a tighter wheelbase, 2x groupset and gearing, it just rides like a big tire road bike.

Mosaic: You ran some big 44c slicks for Nationals. Was that a risky move that paid off, or totally the right tire for the day all over the course? Do you race on similar big slicks a lot?

Brennan Wertz: It was definitely a risky move. A handful of guys are racing gravel on mountain bike tires…that’s been kind of a theme this year, with things heading more in that direction. I did Gravel Nats last year and finished 3rd, and this year it was the exact same course, so I thought ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. With that mentality, I kept my Mosaic iAR for this year more or less the same. I did go from 700x38c tires up to a 700x44c, but that’s about it. Compared to what the rest of the field was doing, it was a risky move, but my bike was fully optimized for the last 2km of the course. The last 2km was pavement and there was a hard left corner at 150 meters to go, and having a faster bike there was, clearly, an advantage. I’d say the big slick tires were 80-90% optimal throughout the course…there were some sand pits and double track where I was on the back foot for sure, compared to the rest of the front group, but I didn’t crash or get dropped, and the bike was 110% for that last two kilometers. 

 

Mosaic: Since #CrossisComing, we’ll ask the obvious question…what tire pressure did you run?

Brennan Wertz: I ran 35-36psi. And that was perfect.

Mosaic: Since you’re a big, full-sized fellow. Does the team at Mosaic do anything special for your race bike that’s different from what the average rider might get? Bigger tube diameters, etc?

Brennan Wertz: We’ve definitely evolved my Mosaic GT-1’s (Brennan races both the GT-1 i45 and GT-1 iAR) over the past three years. Aaron and the team have made several iterations, starting with the gnarliest, stiffest setup imaginable. We used an oversized downtube as the top tube, and Aaron sourced a special, mega-oversized downtube. It was definitely stiff, maybe even a touch too stiff for some of the rougher and rowdier races. Since then we’ve made tweaks and revisions to add just the right amount of compliance, and now we’re at this really cool place with bikes that are totally dialed for me, my skills, my strengths, and my style of racing. I have the dream quiver.

Mosaic: Seems like a lot of riders are on 1x drivetrains, and you’re out there on a 2x setup with a 54t big ring. That’s got to be one of the biggest gears out there. Does that factor into your race tactics?

Brennan Wertz: I knew it would be a high speed race, and it was. We averaged 36km/h for the whole thing. There’s a section of the course, this false flat 4% descent with a tail wind, and last year I was on the edge of being spun out there. This year we rebuilt the bike with a Shimano drivetrain and a 54-11t high gear. I definitely run a more stout gear than probably anyone else in the front group, and on high speed descents I can almost roll away from guys due to my size, and the big gear.

Mosaic: What’s your take on aero for gravel? I see you’re on some deep Enve SES 4.5’s Do you have your hoods turned inwards like all the roadies do these days?

Brennan Wertz: No, not really. I have the Enve Aero road bar which is flared, and my shifters are aligned with the shape of the bar. I had aero socks, a skinsuit, and a vented helmet since it was hot. I read different things about aero wheels and gravel tires…I do personally notice a benefit in a cross/tailwind situation, but as a big dude, the main reason I like these wheels is for the stiffness of a deep rim and shorter spokes.

Mosaic: UCI Gravel Worlds is coming up in a few weeks and you’re heading off to Europe. What’s your plan leading up to the race?

Brennan Wertz: I’m going to Spain for Sea Otter Europe in Girona, Spain. My coach is in Girona, and there’s a UCI Gravel World Series race that’s part of Sea Otter. After that I’ll go to watch some of my friends race at Road Worlds in Zurich, and then I’ll head to Belgium and recon the Worlds Course.

Mosaic: Tell us about traveling with your fully integrated “iAR” and “i45”  Mosaics. What’s the pro-tip for easy bike packing for travel with internal cables?

Brennan Wertz: I have an EVOC case designed for bikes with integrated bars. I love it. I can fit the bike in there pretty easily, only needing to remove the pedals, wheels, and rotors. I can actually fit two wheelsets in it too. It’s awesome.

Mosaic: The Gravel Worlds course in Flanders looks to be a ton of punchy climbs. What are you planning to do in terms of bike setup for that race?

Brennan Wertz: On paper and in theory, it’s the perfect course for this GT-1 iAR again, but I’ve decided it’ll be simple to take the GT-1 i45 gravel bike. I’ll have more tire choices, and since I don’t really know what the race will be like in Girona, I wanted options. I’ll be on a 1x drivetrain with a 52-10t gear. The race will be a fight for positioning, super aggressive, lots of contact and full gas from the start. I’m fired up to get in the fight. A race like this will be tactical and fast since there are a bunch of World Tour riders in the mix. In the U.S., I find that I can often ‘win’ the positioning battle, I can move my weight around a little, people respect that and give me room. These UCI races in Europe are on a different level with the chopping and aggressive racing, and unlike the domestic racing scene, you don’t know everyone. 

Thanks Brennan, and good luck in Europe!

Show Bike #3, and another addition to the Scale lineup… Nightshift. Artist Series colorways tend to be loud and attention grabbing so for this one, we flipped the script. From afar, it looks like a black bike. Get closer though, and you might find yourself continuing to find new details the longer you stare.

Inspiration: Mosaic Artist Series #6, Scale – in perhaps the most subtle yet enticing colorway yet. 

Technique: The Nightshift Scale starts with a two color fade, Pearl Black Diamond on top to Pearl Stormy Grey on the bottom. A raw titanium Knockout Logo ties things together, a nod to the standard Mosaic Finishwork Program. The Scale pattern is then randomly stamped over the base color/colors to create an intricate, layered texture, one that you could never repeat to be exactly alike another. Each frame takes approximately 20 hours of painting and sanding, and no two finishes are the same. We launched Scale with six base colors in early 2024, and after MADE, we’re up to 9!

The Bike: The RT-1 ITR flips the script on what a road bike can be. Geometry is nimble and responsive as a road bike should be, but an Enve In Route fork paired with a CADEX Integrated Aero cockpit allows us to push tire clearance up to 700x35c, so you can push this bike beyond the typical road ride.  

The Build:
CADEX Max 40 Wheelset & 28mm Road Tires

CADEX Integrated Aero Handlebar/Stem

Chris King Aeroset – Black

Shimano Dura Ace 9200 Groupset

For our second MADE Show bike, fast cars provided the necessary inspriration to put together a blazing fast GT-1 iAR. In the world of fast cars, there’s nowhere better to look than Formula One… As everyone has their loyalties, the Mercedes AMG F1 color palette kicked things off.

Inspiration: The Mercedes AMG Formula 1 car, combined with Lewis Hamilton’s best helmets. We got started with a two-color pearl fade – Mercedes AMG Silver on top, fading down to Pearl Black Diamond – a striking colorway in itself that looks fast just standing still. Add the Mosaic Particulate layout in, and now you’re talking… 

Technique: Particulate is our answer to riders looking for the classic “splatter paint” option, and our way of balancing chaos and control in the refined Mosaic way. The Two-Color fade is precise, and a crisp masking line delineates and contains the areas of the frame where the chaotic particulate effect is applied. Riffing off Lewis’ iconic helmets we used plenty of Ten Gallon Purple, Shock Yellow, Sea Foam and Racing Red on this Particulate layout to beautifully compliment & contrast the Silver & Black. 

The Bike: The GT-1 iAR. Fast and fun on just about any surface. Geometry that more closely resembles a fast road bike than a gravel bike, the GT-1 iAR brings confident and stable handling on mixed terrain and the freedom to take absolutely any road you please regardless of it’s surface. Optimized around tires 32-40mm in size, the GT-1 iAR is the most versatile option in the Mosaic lineup.

The Build:
CADEX AR 35 Wheels & CADEX 32mm Classics Tires

CADEX Integrated Aero Handlebar/Stem

Shimano Dura Ace 9200 Groupset 

CeramicSpeed OSPW RS & CeramicSpeed Bottom Bracket

Show bikes are hard. We usually have way too many ideas and the challenge is how to land on the right ones and then pull everything together in time.  For this year’s Made Show Bike lineup we wanted to showcase the depth of options available in our Artist Series, starting with my partner Liz’s RT-1 ITR. 

Inspiration: Liz has always had purple or pink hubs on her bikes, so for her RT-1 ITR we started a 3D Violet Component Set from Chris King – then paired it with the Scale finish and dialed up the purple to what we’re calling Ultra Violet. Ultra Violet is a two color fade from Pearl Lilac on top to Surf Blue on the bottom, a dusting of Aloha Colorshift Pearl, and scale texture in a mix of striking purple, violet and lilac.

Technique: I’ve had the idea for Scale in my mind for a while. This takes one of our cleanest finishes, Knockout, which is a single-color masked on raw titanium, and spins it into one of our most complex layouts where a pattern is stamped over a base color to create an intricate, layered texture. Scale is also one of our most demanding finishes, with each frame taking 20 hours of painting and sanding, and no two finishes are the same. We launched Scale with six base colors in Spring 2024, and now we’re up to nine, including this one. 

The Bike: The RT-1 ITR flips the script on what a road bike can be. Geometry is nimble and responsive as a road bike should be, but an Enve In Route fork and cockpit allows us to push tire clearance up to 700x35c, so you can push this bike beyond the typical road ride.  

The Build:
Chris King ARD 44 Carbon Wheels

Chris King 3D Violet Hubs, BB & Headset

Shimano Dura Ace 9200 Groupset 

ENVE In-Route Cockpit System

Chris King 3D Build Kits x Mosaic UltraViolet Scale Artist Series

We have five complete 3D Violet Chris King build kits including ARD44 carbon wheels, AeroSet™ headset and Bottom Bracket. These kits are hard to get and we’re making them available to anyone who orders a Mosaic UltraViolet Scale Artist Series. Hit up your Mosaic Dealer before they’re gone. 

 

They say that good things come to those who wait… Well,for those of you who’ve waited patiently to get your hands on a Mosaic kit year after year, well, you’re finally in luck! As part of our 15th Anniversary party, we’re stoked to launch a new kit in partnership with Giordana.

You’ve got a small window of time to place your order here, at the Mosaic Cycles // Giordana Team Store.

More details below…