Enigma Elite HSS ST review

We test the beautiful steel Enigma Elite HSS ST

Cycling Weekly Verdict

Thankfully there is much more to buying a bike than getting out a spreadsheet and finding the lightest/stiffest/most aerodynamic machine you can buy for your money, which is why we still get to see stunning bikes such as the Enigma Elite HSS ST. This is a bike that sits right on the line between form and function. The frame really is a thing of beauty, with a paintjob that makes it look bang up to date without looking out of place on a material that has been used to make bikes for well over a century. It’s also one of the most fun bikes I’ve ever had the pleasure of riding. The 8.08kg weight means it’s never going to be the most agile climber, but you never get the impression that you’re having to lumber up steep gradients, while the excellent handling and smooth ride quality allows you to attack descents and nip along dodgy lanes without feeling like you’re being bounced all over the road. And the best thing is that you can buy this bike safe in the knowledge that you’ll still be having the same amount of fun in 10 years’ time

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Beautiful frame

  • +

    British made

  • +

    Great fun to ride

  • +

    Comfortable on British roads

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    A little pricey

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

We have a lot of good-looking bikes come through the doors here at Cycling Weekly and it can take something a little bit different to really catch the attention of the office.

Something, for example, like Enigma Elite HSS ST.

Frame

Engima Elite HSS ST steel tubing columbus

The Enigma Elite HSS ST comes with Colombus steel tubing and a custom paintjob

It might seem strange to start by discussing a bike's paintjob, but it’s difficult to know where else to start with this eye-catching orange and white design.

The unique look is thanks to the work of Engima Paint Works, Enigma’s in-house paint division, which offers a range of custom and semi-custom designs, and will even spruce up your existing frame with a new look.

>>> Why steel time trial bikes are making a comeback (video)

The star of the Enigma Elite show is without question the frame. Made from Columbus Spirit HSS triple-butted steel tubing, each frame is constructed by Enigma’s small team of experienced frame-builders in the company’s East Sussex workshop.

enigma elite hss st bottom bracket

The skinny bottom bracket is a far cry from the bulbous appearance of this area of many carbon fibre frames

As you’d expect from a steel bike there’s also an option to have the frame built with custom geometry to suit your requirements, although you will have to add £300 to the asking price for this service.

The other thing I have to mention is that paintjob. One of two standard colour schemes on offer, the pages of this magazine really struggle to do justice to how — well — orange

that orange is.

>>> New research unlocks secrets of steel tubing

However, if you’d like your bike to be a little more understated, then other custom paintjobs are available, ranging from basic solid colours for £210, up to fully custom designs that can be brought to life by Enigma’s in-house paintshop.

Specification

Enigma elite hss st campagnolo chorus chainset

The attractive four arm spider for the carbon fibre chainset

Although the Enigma website offers three different builds for the Elite HSS, the company will be happy to spec the bike as per your requirements.

campagnolo chorus rear derailleur

Hopefully Campagnolo Chorus will offer the same shifting performance as Shimano's superb Ultegra groupset

This test model came with an Italian build to match the Italian tubing. The groupset is the latest iteration of Campagnolo Chorus, which comes with precise shifting and a four-arm spider design that is a serious aesthetic departure from the five-arm Campag cranksets of old, and is likely to divide opinion among the purists.

campagnolo zonda wheels

Italian wheels on an Anglo-Italian bike

The groupset is matched with Campagnolo Zonda wheels, far from the lightest or stiffest wheels on the market, but a good match for a frame that thrives on less-than-perfect road surfaces. These are topped with Michelin Pro4 Service Course tyres — lovely fast tyres for summer rides, complete with white sidewalls to match the frame.

Ride

enigma elite hss st stem bars fork front end

The front end sees a move away from steel, with a carbon fork and aluminium stem and bars

The rear end might not be as stiff as a similarly priced carbon bike (although it’s not far off), and weighing in at 8.08kg means that it can’t compete head-on in a scales challenge either, but all of that is completely missing the point when it comes to what this bike is so very good at.

enigma elite hss st stem

Enigma's own brand stem, painted in orange to match the frame

The steel frame is perfect for British roads, soaking up road buzz with aplomb, leaving your legs free to put down some power rather than taking a battering from poor tarmac.

This superb ride quality also gives you the confidence to attack rough descents knowing that the tyres will stay glued to the road.

This is a great attribute for any bike to have, and makes the Elite HSS ST more than worthy for consideration as your next race bike, especially if you’re worried about how your bike will fare in the event of a crash.

It’s also fair to say I had a hell of a lot more fun riding this bike than I have on a number of hyper-expensive carbon machines.

Value

enigma elite hss st campagnolo chorus drivetrain

It's become a rarity to see a bike arrive in the CW office with a Campagnolo groupset

Unfortunately, with the level of craftsmanship that goes into a steel frame, you’re always going to pay a premium.

This is especially so with one that is manufactured in the UK, and made out of lightweight materials that enable the Elite HSS ST to be valued as a great bike for more than just its robustness.

However it’s hard to overlook the appeal of an indestructible frame. You could snap a carbon bike in half on a crash on your very first ride, leaving yourself stumping up for a new frame and seriously out of pocket.

But with a steel frame you’re investing in a bike that will be able to soak up years of abuse, be easily repairable in the event of a crash and still be as good to ride as ever.

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Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.