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Raw titanium. Exquisite welds. Clean single‑color knockouts and signature fades in every hue imaginable. These are the hallmarks of Mosaic’s finish program, beloved by riders who appreciate understated elegance. But some riders look for more—a frame that feels like a rolling canvas, where bold patterns, complex paint techniques, and pure individualism come together. For them, there’s the Mosaic Artist Series.

Developed entirely in-house, these finishes go beyond traditional paint and polish, transforming our titanium frames into rideable works of art. They shift in light, reveal intricate details up close, and no two are ever alike. Each technique carries its own identity yet shares a unifying theme: limitless range. Whether rendered in striking contrasts or subtle tonal palettes, every Artist Series finish offers the freedom to create something unmistakably personal.

Today, the Artist Series includes five finishes: Prismatica, Atlas, Particulate, Scale and Nebula. Here’s what makes each one distinct:

Prismatica

Prismatica debuted as a one‑off for Chris King’s annual Open House—a challenge to create a finish that honored their newest headset color while remaining unmistakably Mosaic. The result was a riot of color contained within our clean lines: lively and vibrant up close, yet composed from afar.

Inspired by light refracting through crystal, Prismatica plays with saturation and transparency, shifting character depending on angle and light. It remains one of our most distinctive Artist Series finishes.

Atlas

Atlas explores movement through landscapes—an artistic mapping of place and self onto titanium. Developed in collaboration with Colorado artist and athlete Krysten Koehn, Atlas draws on the layered geography of the Rocky Mountains and the experience of navigating them by bike.

Abstract cartographic forms and tonal fades evoke ridgelines, valleys, and shifting alpine light. Striking in bold palettes or quietly immersive in muted tones, Atlas reflects the rider’s journey and the landscapes that shape it.

Particulate

Built on our Two Tone layout, Particulate combines a single base color—or a two‑color fade—with a splatter effect contained within the logos and inner fork blades. The splatter colors are left to the painter’s imagination: you choose the base, and we handle the rest.

Particulate is Mosaic’s take on the classic “splatter paint” look—energetic yet precisely executed. Clean masking lines keep the chaos contained, resulting in a finish that feels bold, refined, and distinctly Mosaic.

Scale

Created by Mosaic founder Aaron Barcheck, Scale reimagines the Knockout layout with a randomized stamped technique that produces rhythmic, layered texture. The effect is cohesive yet never identical—each frame a unique expression of pattern and color.

Available in multiple colorways (or customized with the Mosaic design team), Scale spans a wide spectrum: bold and primal in high‑contrast palettes, subtle and nuanced in tonal blacks and greys. It’s a finish defined by balance—refined artistry with an untamed edge.

Nebula

Nebula evokes the layered beauty of cosmic gas clouds, blending gradients and color fields into a flowing, organic pattern. Its tones appear to shift as the bike moves, revealing new depth from every angle. Whether expressed in vivid color or moody monochrome, Nebula offers an immersive canvas for riders who want a finish that feels alive.

Artistry and Performance Combined

The Artist Series is always evolving, shaped by experimentation, rider inspiration, and the constant pursuit of new techniques. Each frame takes on its own personality—sometimes vivid, sometimes restrained, always unmistakably Mosaic.

Artist Series finishes are available on any new Mosaic build and can also be applied as refinishes for existing Mosaic framesets. Whether you’re drawn to vibrant explosions of color or the quiet elegance of tonal greys, the Artist Series offers a uniquely personal way to make your Mosaic truly your own.

It’s no surprise that at Mosaic, we build a lot of custom frames. But we’ve learned over the years that not every rider needs down-to-the-millimeter, full custom geometry to appreciate the lively, responsive ride feel of a Mosaic, without compromising on fit.

Many riders fall into a relatively standard size matrix and just want a beautifully built, incredibly refined titanium bike—crafted by hand in Colorado—with sizing and geometry already dialed. That’s why we created our Batch Built frames: a streamlined way to get a Mosaic.

Our Batch Built frames use proven stock geometry and are available in four models—GT-2 45, GT-2 AR, RT-2d, and MT-2—covering everything from adventure-ready gravel, straight-up roadie performance and hardtail mountain. Each frame is delivered in 2-3 weeks with a Cane Creek headset, Columbus carbon fork (for the drop bar models) and raw titanium finish included for $4,500.

Batch Built Benefits:

A handmade, precision crafted frame without the wait. Skip the custom design process and go straight to riding. Stock sizing means the same balanced fit and ride quality Mosaic is known for—delivered weeks faster.. 

US crafted titanium at an accessible price. Every frame is expertly welded, finished, and aligned in our Boulder workshop by the same team as our Made to Order builds.

Options to make it yours. Start with a raw finish or upgrade to custom paint from our Finish Program. Build it around any drivetrain. Add a third bottle cage or rack mounts. Batch Built offers some flexibility to dial in exactly what you want. 

Batch Built Models:

GT-2 45: Pure, Undiluted, Ready for Anything Gravel

Mosaic gravel frames have proven themselves at events like UCI Gravel World Championships, Unbound and SBT GRVL. The GT-2 45 is the most versatile of the Batch Built lineup: relaxed geometry, room for 45mm tires, and built for big days on rugged roads.

• 48–62cm stock sizes
• Straight-gauge titanium tubing
• 45mm tire clearance / gravel chainline

GT-2 AR: The All-Road Sweet Spot

Equally at home on fast pavement and mixed-surface missions, the GT-2 AR balances agility with comfort. It’s quick, versatile, and with room for 38mm tires, capable of getting pretty rowdy. 

• 48–62cm stock sizes
• Straight-gauge titanium tubing
• 38mm tire clearance / road chainline

RT- 2d: Modern Road, Classic Feel

For riders who seek the speed and grip of smooth tarmac, the RT-2d is our titanium interpretation of a modern road classic—light, responsive, efficient, and tuned for 30mm tires on today’s wider rims.

• 48–62cm stock sizes
• Straight-gauge titanium tubing
• 30mm tire clearance / road chainline

MT-2: A Titanium Hardtail without Limits

The MT-2 brings titanium’s unique feel to the trailhead with modern MTB geometry dialed in for a 120-130mm fork and 29×2.6” knobbies. 

• S-M-L-XL stock sizes
• Internal dropper post routing
• Straight-gauge titanium tubing
  

When to Go Custom

Batch Built is a great fit for a lot of riders out there (and a few of us Mosaic employees as well). But some riders don’t want to pass up the opportunity to go full custom and get a One-Level Made-to-Order Mosaic custom-built to their own unique geometry, including our premium size-matched, custom butted tubing for an even more lively ride and increased weight savings.

If this sounds like you, the Made-to-Order process takes a few weeks longer, but might be worth the wait. Here’s where you can dive deeper into our One-Level model features.

Nothing rides like a Mosaic…it’s something you have to feel to understand. 

And if you’re looking to take a spin on one of our bespoke, handcrafted titanium dream bikes on the iconic Rocky Mountain roads and trails they were designed for, meet the people behind the brand and see where the handcrafted magic happens here at our Boulder, Colorado factory, we’d like to invite you to the Mosaic Factory Demo Experience.

This is a unique opportunity to see the Process every Mosaic–both Batch Built and Made-to-Order–goes through, from design draft and tube selection to the jig, tack welding and finish welding and then onward to the Mosaic Finish Program, with countless QC checks along the way. You’ll meet the staff, including Mosaic Founder and CEO Aaron Barcheck and our in-house fine artist David Cogdill, and possibly as many as two Mosaic shop dogs.

As for the Demo Fleet, we have full size runs of our Level 1 models featuring a size-specific custom blend of seamless butted titanium tubing and premium components from Shimano, Enve, and Wolf Tooth.

Want to ride gravel without limits? Hop on a GT-1 i45 with 700x45c WTB Vulpines and head way off the beaten path. Prefer the versatility of a modern performance road bike? Try the RT-1 ITR (Integrated Thick Road) with 700x32c tires. Or if your ideal ride includes a little bit of everything, the GT-1 iAR with 700x40s might be your move. Not sure which model fits you best? Try all three—that’s exactly what the Mosaic Factory Demo Experience is for.

There’s a reason why Boulder consistently ranks as one of the best cycling cities in America, and once we’ve got your bike set up and ready to ride, we can point you to an endless number of popular ride routes, ranging from miles of dedicated urban bike paths and mellow dirt roads right outside town to some of the most iconic alpine climbs in the United States where you’re likely to see past, present and future World Tour riders grinding out their intervals. And if time allows, we’ll happily join you for a ride.

And after your ride, we’ll answer any questions you have, introduce you to your local Mosaic Dealer, and set you up with Boulder’s Chris Soden of Strategic Fitting if you want to start the process towards your own Mosaic. 

To start your journey, just book your Mosaic Demo Experience date, bike model and frame size and we’ll get in touch. 

But be warned. Once you ride a Mosaic, it’s hard to go back to riding anything else. 

While the Mosaic Finish Program typically centers around our curated Signature and Artist Series layouts—along with a massive array of stock and custom colors—every now and then, something truly one-off rolls through the paint booth. This stunning red, white, and blue GT-1 is one such example.

Built for a sponsored Mosaic athlete, this stars-and-stripes gravel machine is a Made-to-Order GT-1 i45  frame with a fully custom paint concept—designed executed by hand in our Boulder, CO workshop.

Like every Mosaic, it’s purpose-built for its rider. And in this case, it just happens to wear red, white, and blue as the rider had just won US Gravel National Championships. 

We love these moments when creativity, celebration, and craftsmanship come together in a way that feels authentic, yielding a bike that evokes pride and emotion even when standing still and in this case, undeniably All-American. 

Here’s to a weekend of fireworks, barbeques and bike rides. Happy Fourth! 

We teamed up with our friends at Velosmith and CeramicSpeed for a GT-1 i45 build that’s as fast as it is striking. This one features our Artist Series #7  Nebula paintwork, custom-finished down to the oversized pulley wheels—and a spec sheet that pushes performance to the edge of what a gravel bike can do. 

Naturally we started with GT-1 i45 for its generous tire clearance, which pairs perfectly with the latest generation of high-volume, high-speed gravel tires. In this case: 50mm Schwalbe G-One RX’s. To take things to the next level, the team at Velosmith built up a unique wheelset using Enve’s M5 Pro MTB rims (with rear rims front and back for a consistent 27mm internal width), laced to Enve’s new Innerdrive road hubs.

CeramicSpeed’s precision components show up throughout the build—from the OSPW system, custom painted to match, to the SLT headset bearings that promise years of smooth, maintenance-free performance. This one’s built to handle anything, and look good doing it.

Dealer: Velosmith

Other Partners: CeramicSpeed

Build: 

Mosaic GT-1 i45 Made-to-Order Frameset

SRAM Red XPLR Group

Cane Creek EeWings Titanium Crank w/ SRM Powermeter

Custom Built M5 Pro mountain bike rims w/ ENVE Innerdrive Road Hubs for a badass chunky tire gravel setup.

 

Last summer, on July 3rd, Jason Kiefer and his prototype Mosaic GT-1 XD were ticking off the final miles to Antelope Wells—the southern terminus of the Tour Divide. It’s a finish line that represents something bigger than just a ride’s end. For the 200 or so riders who set off from Banff in June each year, the Tour Divide is the ultimate test of endurance, resilience, and preparation. Of those, fewer than 150 typically finish. The route itself is legendary—for both its difficulty and its tendency to destroy equipment.

This is exactly what the GT-1 XD was created for. 

The project began in early May when Mosaic’s own Mark Currie bumped into Jason on a local ride. Jason casually mentioned he was “thinking about” the Divide, but the details told a different story—flights were booked, lodging arranged, training dialed. The only thing missing? A bike that could handle 2,700 miles of rough terrain from Canada to Mexico.

Jason already owned a well-loved GT-1 45, but it wasn’t up to the task. He needed more tire clearance, bag mounts, suspension capability, and a drivetrain suited for the extremes of bikepacking. Within a day, Mosaic had kicked off the GT-1 XD project—a purpose-built Tour Divide machine tailored specifically for Jason and the demands of the route.

With just six weeks before the Grand Depart, Mosaic put the build into overdrive. Mosaic lead framebuilder Jamie Appleton worked closely with Jason to perfect the geometry and add every necessary feature: cable routing, mount points, and custom touches for compatibility with an array of bikepacking gear.

To complete the setup, Mosaic partnered with Joe Tonsager of JPaks. Jason and Joe settled on a bespoke bag setup: a ½ frame bag, extended top tube bag, handlebar roll, and prototype Tailfin Paks—designed to maximize storage without compromising balance or function.

Once the bag plans were dialed, the frame was prepped for paint. Despite the reputation of raw titanium, Mosaic opted for a tough matte clearcoat in a Pearl Rootbeer Knockout finish. A similar finish had proven durable enough for a previous Mosaic adventure in Alaska—standing up to abrasive grit and shifting framebag straps over time.

With parts and paint ready, the final build was entrusted to Zach Edwards at Boulder Grupetto. Jason’s build spec included a SRAM XXSL Transmission drivetrain, Level Ultimate 4-piston brakes, Force levers, a Hunt dynamo wheelset, Tailfin rack, and a Tumbleweed Big Dipper bar—wide, stable, and packed with mounting real estate.

Two days after the build was complete, Jason mounted the finished JPaks, wired his lights, packed his gear, and set out for a shakedown ride in the high country. The GT-1 XD was complete—and Tour Divide ready.

A year later, that ride still resonates. Jason’s Tour Divide finish wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a real-world test that validated the GT-1 XD as a legit ultra-distance machine. Behind every mile was a collaborative effort, and Mosaic couldn’t be more proud to have played a part in it.

Mosaic rider, PR pro at Dispatch, pro gravel racer, bike industry veteran—and winner of the 2023 Unbound XL—returns to Emporia for another go at one of gravel’s toughest tests: the 350-mile, 17,000-foot self-supported odyssey known as Unbound XL.

Kristen! We’re a week out from Unbound XL. What’s on your mind right now?

I’m really excited. The lead-up this year feels very different—much more relaxed. Last time, I was super focused and really wanted to win. This time, it’s about bringing the fun back into it. I’ve been riding MTB all spring, keeping things loose. I still want a strong result, but I’m not putting a ton of pressure on myself. Just trying to be consistent and enjoy it.

Honestly, we’re all kind of crazy for doing these events—they’re magical, fun, and terrible all at once. There’s something really special about the 350-mile format. It’s not just about racing in a group or sitting on a wheel. You’re alone out there, taking care of yourself, out in the landscape. It becomes this deep adventure with yourself.

You won Unbound XL in 2023. What was that like?

It was that infamously muddy year. Total chaos. The race became more about survival than competition—just keeping your bike and body moving. There were 14 or 15 miles of hike-a-bike. It felt more like an expedition than a race. The weather threw everything at us. Crossing the finish line felt like conquering something massive.

Speaking of mud, it’s looking like a rainy week leading up to this year’s race. What do you think about that?

Well, I’d love some mud out there! But I think it will dry up and drain off. Maybe a few soft roads but I don’t think it’ll be bad unless they get something heavier on Thursday/Friday. We’ll see, weather changes fast out there. 

In 2024, you raced the 200 instead of the XL, right?

Yeah—I did the 200 last year. I had a mechanical early on and dropped out of the lead group, and ended up riding a 180-mile solo time trial. I wasn’t really racing for the win, but I think I could’ve been up there had it not been for the mechanical, maybe Maybe top 10 or 15 but who can say. Mechanicals are definitely part of the Unbound experience.

So why go back to the XL? What brings you back for more?

This will hopefully be my third time finishing the XL—and my fourth attempt total. I DNF’d once. But honestly, there’s a little amnesia after these brutal events. After you finish and a little time passes, you think, “That was fun—I should do it again!”

I wanted to come back because 2023 was so epic with the muddy conditions. Now I’m curious—what’s it like in a ‘normal’ year? The women’s field is growing, and becoming more competitive and deeper every year. It’s exciting to be part of that—to help raise the level of competition.

Any major changes this year in terms of training or setup?

Nothing too dramatic. I’m riding my Mosaic GT-1 i45 again, but with a more aggressive position—based on what I liked in the 200 last year. I switched my gearing to a Dura-Ace 50/34 up front with an 11-36 in the back and I’ll run bigger tires this time: Vittoria Terreno Dry 50c up front ad a 45c Terreno Zero in back. I’m also running aero bars, which are key for XL—you’re alone out there and need extra hand positions for comfort.

Otherwise, it’s a pretty normal gravel setup including a frame bag a CamelBak and my position dialed. For everyday Boulder riding I might run faster tires, but this setup’s all about durability and comfort over the long haul.

What do you look at on your GPS during the race?

I keep the map up—but I don’t look at time or distance until I’m about halfway in. I play little mental games with myself, like, “OK, next 20 miles, hold this average power or speed” just as a way to stay motivated and focused. I’ll check in on nutrition or details occasionally, but mostly it’s about staying in the moment. Phone stays on airplane mode the whole time. It’s about shutting out the world.

Do you get songs stuck in your head out there?

Oh yeah! I actually make a playlist. Music helps pull you out of a funk, calm you down if you’re overwhelmed, or lift you up when you’re down. I’m a sucker for pop punk from high school.

Let’s talk nutrition. What’s your approach?

It’s constant. From the beginning it’s: When did I last eat? Eat more. Drink more. At a certain point—around mile 200 for me—you have to force yourself to eat. The last 150 miles are just a game of “how do I get calories in?”

In 2023, I survived on disgusting amounts of Sour Patch Kids. Still my go-to and first thing I grab at a gas station. 

Most riders will never do an event like this. It must be a different kind of mental experience. Can you share a story?

Not 2023, but another year—it’s the middle of the night, I’m all alone, there are no lights, no houses, just nothing anywhere. Then I see headlights. It’s 3 a.m. and I’m thinking, Who the hell is out here?? And  they keep getting closer. I’m a little loopy, and my mind is playing tricks on me, and I’m considering my options like diving into a ditch. Then I see bikes on the roof—they’re cheering! It’s people heading to the start of the 200.

I haven’t had many hallucinations, but after 22 hours, the heat and fatigue start to really mess with you. You wonder, Was that an animal sound? Or did I make that up? And you can’t train for that sort of thing…no one does 24-hour training rides. You just have to roll with it and see how your mind and body react and that’s just part of the whole experience. 

Give us one tip—something you’ve learned that really matters.

Be patient with yourself. It’s a long race. Everyone makes mistakes—misses a meal or gets a flat that takes a while to repair. Don’t rush through stuff and end up with more problems later.

Stay present. You can bounce back from so much more than you think. I mean, Taylor Lideen won Unbound XL after slashing a tire. He was actually carrying a spare tire and stopped, swapped tires, got it seated and everything and still took the win. One bad thing doesn’t ruin your race. Keep moving forward.

That’s some wisdom that transcends gravel, Kristen. Thanks and good luck out there!

Mosaic’s Flagstaff Week, a Boulder cycling tradition now in its 12th year, is upon us. Are you ready? Doesn’t matter. Flagstaff Week isn’t about being ready. It’s about way more than that. It’s a hard, good time that’s best explained by its creator, Mosaic Founder and CEO Aaron Barcheck, in his own words: 

The Setup

For me, the word adventure usually suggests an epic voyage—likely a trip far away to a place I’ve never been, with the challenge of riding in a way I’ve never done before. This spirit is what defines many of us as cyclists and keeps us coming back for more. There’s always a new experience to explore, something to plan, something to work toward.

But it’s easy to forget that some of the best adventures are the ones we experience close to home—the ones we return to every season. With that said, today we explore a time-honored tradition at Mosaic: Flagstaff Week, an adventure we look forward to every year, right in our backyard of Boulder, Colorado.

The Route
The Flagstaff Road climb is Boulder’s crown jewel of cycling routes—and worthy of the title for many reasons. At just over five miles and two thousand feet of vertical gain, Flagstaff is a challenging yet accessible ride. Centrally located, it’s never more than a quick spin across town to reach the base.

The climb kicks up quickly, offering expansive views of the city and surrounding areas. As you ascend, the terrain constantly shifts—grindy 10% pitches give way to mellow switchbacks, which then transition into steeper switchbacks, broken up only by brief moments of recovery. But don’t be fooled. The first half’s undulating climb and sweeping vistas lead to a second half that hits with full force.

Just before the summit lies a stretch affectionately (and accurately) known as “The Wall”—an 18% grade that tests your legs and your resolve. In conquering one of the Front Range’s most unrelenting two-mile stretches, you’re rewarded with views of the Continental Divide and a finale featuring two of the most photogenic switchbacks in the region—famous across countless Instagram feeds.

From the summit, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a remote, forested mountain top, a stark contrast to the sweeping view back toward Boulder. From up here, the city looks like a sprawling sea of civilization, fading into Eastern Colorado and the curve of the earth.

At the top, the iconic mailboxes mark the finish line and the end of another successful Flagstaff lap. From here, you have a choice: continue west into some of Boulder’s most beloved loops, or flip it and descend.

The climb’s diverse terrain becomes a fast, technical, and exhilarating ride back down. With repetition, this descent becomes second nature—you memorize every turn, every crack in the pavement, every patch of sand. Confidence grows. Wash, rinse, repeat. 

So. Much. Fun.

The Origin Story

This year, Flagstaff Week will kick off for its twelfth year—thirteenth if you count the COVID season when we couldn’t gather.

In Mosaic’s early, bootstrapped days, the Flagstaff climb was my escape from the grind of launching a business. I was working two jobs, had little time to ride, and felt more out of shape—and more disconnected from the joy of riding—each season. Something had to change.

So I did what I always do: I doubled down. I had the idea to wake up even earlier to ride Flagstaff every morning for a week before heading to The Pro’s Closet, followed by a second shift at Mosaic. I hoped this would kick off the summer season and snap me back into form—physically and mentally. To keep myself accountable, I invited a few friends for a little morning peer pressure.

Year one, we had five riders total: my wife Liz and three friends. Riding Flag five days in a row felt like a novelty—maybe even a big deal. We gave it a shot and, despite being totally spent by the end, we completed every day.

Year two, we knew we had to do it again. This time, maybe ten friends joined. I gave it a name—Flagstaff Week—because, well, everything needs a brand in my world.

Around year three, the now-famous Flagstaff Week punch card was born. I thought it’d be a fun way to mark each day’s ride, so I placed a hole punch at the mailboxes and handed cards out to the 30 or so attendees. The card became more than a keepsake—it was a record of each ascent, a motivator, and a reminder that another Flagstaff Week was always just around the corner.

Now, on rides people ask me “When is Flagstaff Week this year?” more often than they ask how I’m doing. There have even been counterfeit punch cards made! I guess imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery.

As the years went on and more riders joined in, my little underground event grew beyond me. It became something personal to so many: a chance to push for a PR, a five-day streak of a tough but rewarding climb, or—for some—a first summit, donuts and laughter shared with friends at the top.

For me, it’s still what it was from the beginning: a way to kick off summer by reconnecting with the people and the sport I love. 

No qualifiers, no licenses (okay there is a waiver form) no entry fees. Just come and ride. Details below and we hope to see you on the climb. 

The Details – 2025 Mosaic Flagstaff Week: June 2-6

• • The Mission: Complete a minimum of one Flagstaff Climb (to the mailboxes!!) per day, five days in a row. At the top, you’ll find a punch chained to the mailboxes. Punch your card, and then head to Cassiopeia for a coffee & daily special on waffles, lattes and more!
  • The Punch Card Pickup: Riders can pick up their 2025 Mosaic Flagstaff Week Cards at Cassiopeia anytime starting on Wednesday, May 28th.
  • The Waivers: must be signed to pick up your 2025 Mosaic Flagstaff Week punchcard. Download one. 
  • The Swag: If you get all 5 punches, you might get some sick prizes, posters, etc…
• The Daily Schedule:
• • The Mosaic crew will be rolling from Cassiopeia @ 6:45am each day, returning for a coffee after the climb. You are not required to ride with us. We would encourage people to ride the climb whenever suits them best, with whoever they want, just get the punch at the top and have a damn good time.
  • Wednesday – Women’s Ride led by Cassiopeia staff.
  • Friday – social hangout at Cassiopeia from 8:45 to roughly 10:00am.

See you out there, maybe more than once!

-Aaron

A Mosaic titanium frame is built to last a lifetime—and ride better than anything else on the road or trail. But that presents a good problem: it’s hard to justify letting go of something this good.

If you’re after that ‘new bike day’ feeling without adding to your quiver, the Mosaic Refinishing Program is the answer. Whether you want to restore your bike’s original brilliance or completely reimagine it, our in-house team offers a range of refinishing options to make your Mosaic feel brand new again.

Choose from our signature raw titanium finishes with clean, subtle media blasting, or explore an array of painted options: timeless two-tone and Knockout schemes, ultra-smooth two- and three-color fades, or one-of-a-kind Artist Series finishes.

The first step in the process is a trip through our blasting cabinet for stripping and prep. It’s quick, safe and also how we execute our raw titanium finishes.

We offer a curated palette of standard colors or can custom color-match to your vision using samples and automotive paint codes and other means. Want your fork, bar, stem, or seatpost repainted to match—or contrast? We can do that, too.

Whether years of riding have left their mark or you simply want to refresh your ride, the Mosaic Refinishing Program will give your frame a new look you’ll appreciate for years to come. And if you have a non-Mosaic frame or component that needs a world-class finish, our in-house paint shop, Spectrum Paint Works, is available to help.

Refinishing starts at $1,500, with an average turnaround time of 3–4 weeks. Your frame must be fully completely disassembled of all parts when you send it in to us. We’ll strip the paint in our blasting cabinet as the first step in the new finish prep process. 

Ready to bring your Mosaic back to life? Contact us to get started.

Pro racer and cycling coach Adam Saban had an idea: a drop bar MTB that combines gravel bike fit and handling with MTB handling. But doing such a thing is more complicated than slapping a drop bar on a hardtail…as Adam soon learned. There’s a way to do it right, and Adam chose Mosaic to make it happen.

Adam is no gravel noob. He started racing bikes in 2014 and has been racing off road as an elite since the Grand Junction Offroad in 2018, and has since competed in most of the big gravel and mountain bike races around the country. And as a design engineer, he knows his way around the technical side of things as well.

How did you get connected with Mosaic—and how did your drop-bar MT-1 come to life?
In early 2023, I was working at a bike shop in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We started carrying Mosaic toward the end of the year. I’d known of the brand from a good friend who rode one. As soon as our shop started stocking Mosaic, the owner, Pete, said he wanted to get me on one ASAP. I thought, “This is perfect,” and I knew exactly what I wanted: a drop-bar MTB.

That’s when you built a drop-bar mountain bike?
Not quite. The journey actually started earlier in 2023 when I was accepted to race the Migration Gravel Race in Kenya. There wasn’t much info out there about the event, but I’d seen a few videos and it looked rugged. My gravel bike with 700x45c tires wasn’t going to cut it. I built up a solid aluminum hardtail with nice parts—essentially a tricked-out drop-bar hardtail.

I raced that setup at Migration and loved the platform. It worked well, but there were a few things that weren’t quite perfect. The fit was off—reach and stack weren’t ideal—and there were a few other geometry issues. I swapped to a different MTB frame and that didn’t work great either. That was right about the time Pete suggested I consider a custom frame from Mosaic.

Did you know what you wanted?
Yes. I started with a Mosaic MT-1 hardtail, which is available in either stock or custom geometry. Mine is custom everything. My time on previous drop-bar hardtails gave me a solid foundation for what I needed, and I started working on the project with Mark at Mosaic.

Compared to my gravel bike, a medium hardtail MTB frame typically has longer reach and higher stack. To get the fit right, I had to run a super short 50 or 60mm stem with a lot of drop—and I was still too high and too long by 10–15mm. I could never quite get the bar low enough.

Basically, I wanted to replicate the fit and feel of a gravel race bike, but with the handling, tire clearance, and suspension fork of a hardtail. I wanted to blend the two platforms.

How did things line up on your MT-1?
My optimal gravel bike fit uses a 110mm stem. We didn’t go quite that short on reach, but we made it work with an 80mm stem and dropped the stack as much as possible while leaving room for a 100mm suspension fork. It’s not quite as low as my gravel bike, but it’s close. We adjusted the seat tube angle and steepened the head angle from the MT-1’s stock 67° to about 68.5°. It now feels like a true gravel race fit.

The quintessential question: what tire size are you running?
Most of the time, I’m on 2.25s. They offer good all-around traction and flat protection and can handle most trails and gravel like a normal MTB. I can run up to 2.4s, but the handling gets weird. With tires that big, you have to lean the bike way over to engage the side knobs, and with a 40cm drop bar, it doesn’t feel right when you’re pushing it.

Is this the ultimate do-everything quiver-killer setup?
Well, I wouldn’t take this bike to a pure MTB race or an all-out, high-speed gravel race. But it’s perfect for everything in between—rugged gravel, light-duty MTB trails. I raced it at Leadville in 2023 and it was spot-on for really heavy-duty gravel events like Migration.

Fit and geometry aside, what else was tricky about the design?
Chainring size was the biggest thing. For gravel race speeds, I needed at least a 38–40t ring. Most hardtails like the MT-1 are designed around 30–32t rings, so that was something Mark and the Mosaic team worked with me on—getting enough clearance for a larger ring without sacrificing tire clearance.

What’s your take on dropper posts for a bike like this? What about a rigid fork?
No dropper—for now. I’ve thought about it, and with SRAM’s AXS post, I can swap between a standard post and a dropper pretty easily, but I just haven’t done it. In my mind, if the race is gnarly enough to need a dropper, it might be time for a full-on MTB. I haven’t run a rigid fork either. If I were going full rigid, I’d just ride the gravel bike.

Is this drop-bar Mosaic MT-1 your main ride?
I still have a full-on gravel bike, but I ride the Mosaic about 50% of the time. Around Sioux Falls, the terrain doesn’t demand a drop-bar hardtail—the local trails are tame enough for a standard gravel bike. Most of the time, when I ride the Mosaic, it’s because I want to, not because I need to. It’s a fun bike. It’s a gravel bike that can do more. It might have funky bars, but it’s a full-blown mountain bike. The only limitation is that it’s a hardtail.

What’s it like switching between your gravel bike and the Mosaic?
Switching to the gravel bike is seamless. The weirdest transition is from the MT-1 to a full-suspension MTB. Bigger tires, wider bars, slacker geometry, more travel—it’s a completely different feel, obviously.

What do riders say about your setup?
Most people just ask what I’m doing on the singletrack with a drop-bar bike. They assume it’s not a real mountain bike—they don’t quite get it. A lot of people ride gravel bikes because it’s what they know. They think it’s as good as it gets. A drop-bar mountain bike is definitely a counterculture setup. But once people try mine, they get it. They understand.

Have you ever gone the other direction—running a flat bar?
I did, actually. I set it up with a flat bar to race the Chequamegon MTB Festival in Wisconsin. It’s an old-school MTB race, and just for fun, I set the Mosaic up like an old-school mountain bike. Since the frame is designed with shorter reach, I had to use a 110mm stem and a narrower 620mm bar. It was actually a blast—super fun and perfect for that course. I kept it like that for a few months. I can swap it back and forth in about five minutes.

Thanks Adam! See you out there!