London-based South African former pro Jean-Claude Pretorius offers three titanium framesets, the Kranspoort being aimed at the sportive rider or 'enthusiast racer', as Pretorius puts it. The other two are the women-specific Bonnet and the Longtom, a singlespeed/fixie.

The Kranspoort is made from 3Al/2.5V titanium. It has a slightly taller head tube and shorter top tube for a more upright sportive position, but the 74° seat tube angle of the size 56 we tested puts the rider over the BB in a powerful enough position.

This tester fell between stock sizes and had to push the saddle right back on its rails and use a longish 130mm stem. It's worth noting then, that full custom geometry is available for an extra £200 via the Dartfish/Retül fitting system at Pretorius's shop in Hoxton. Frame-and-fork prices start at £1,390.

Granted, this is a top-notch build, but Campagnolo Bora Ones aren't the very lightest wheels and so we were astonished that the complete bike only weighed 15.5lb (7kg).

The penalty for this feathery lightness is that compared with some of the super-rigid overbuilt carbon frames of the moment, it is not the stiffest.

However, Pretorius is clear about who the Kranspoort is for, and Mark Cavendish's name is not on the list.

Verdict

I loved the traditional, clean lines of the Kranspoort and applaud Pretorius's decision to keep things light rather than increase tube diameters and wall thicknesses for a level of stiffness that most amateurs do not need.

Reviewer: Simon Smythe