The Windover Beacon is a versatile frameset that bridges the gap between mountain and gravel bikes. Built with a hand-crafted Reynolds 853 DZB steel frame, it offers a unique blend of capabilities for adventurous riders. This review delves into the Beacon's design, performance, and overall value proposition.
The Windover Beacon is a frameset that seamlessly blends the worlds of mountain and gravel bike s, constructed with a hand-crafted Reynolds 853 DZB steel frame in Sussex. While its specifications and geometry lean heavily towards a mountain bike , the abundance of mounting points makes it ideal for adventurous outings. However, the fork can occasionally result in an uncomfortable ride.
Windover Bikes, founded by three passionate riders with backgrounds in engineering and design, takes its name from Windover Hill, a landmark along the South Downs Way, and fittingly, the idea for the company was born in a nearby pub. Windover offers two models: the Bostal, tailored for general gravel and alt-road riding, and the Beacon, our test subject, a bike described as a blend of the two disciplines. This emerging category is gaining traction, with ATB (All Terrain Bike) becoming a popular and easily relatable acronym for such versatile machines. The Beacon is available in a frame-only option, a frameset, or a fully built bike with several specification levels. Our test involved the frameset, which includes the frame, fork, bottom bracket, headset, and seat clamp, priced at £1,999. Full builds commence at £2,699 for the Tour version, £3,249 for the Race, and £4,999 for the XTR-equipped Ultra. Our test bike is the Race spec, featuring a Shimano SLX drivetrain, Magura MT4 brakes, SQ Lab finishing kit, DCR Handbuilt wheels with 30mm internal width alloy rims, Vittoria Mezcal tyres, and a £140 upgrade with the PRO LT Dropper seatpost fitted. Windover offers flexibility with its builds, allowing riders to customize individual components or sizes. Included in the frameset package are the Hope headset and seat clamp, both performing flawlessly. The headset is particularly robust, with bearing seals that withstand harsh British weather. The frameset's design embraces its adventure-ready character, with clean external cable routing along the downtube and a single cable entry point at the base of the seat tube for the internally routed dropper post. The bottom bracket is a T47 with a wide 92mm shell, which, while another 'standard', is a threaded design accommodating almost all crank options. The frame also features rack and mudguard mounts and three bottle cage positions. At first glance, the Windover Type 3 carbon fork might resemble a standard rigid carbon fork, but its geometry sets it apart. With a 415mm axle-to-crown measurement, it’s specifically designed for the Beacon. The fork boasts three bolt mounts on each side, internal cable routing for the brake, dynamo light cable routing, and mudguard mounts. For context, a 100mm suspension fork would typically use a 500mm axle-to-crown length, while a rigid gravel fork, like the one on the recently tested race-oriented, the Beacon is designed as a rigid bike. This might seem surprising given its mountain bike-like appearance, but the philosophy behind this choice is to maintain simplicity, reduce weight, and enhance efficiency. Key geometry figures for the frame include a 67.5-degree head angle and a 74-degree seat tube angle across all sizes. There are four sizes available, catering to riders between 159cm (5’3”) and 191cm (6’3”). One instantly noticeable feature is the short headtube, starting at 130mm in the smallest size and increasing by 20mm per size up to 190mm on the XL. The chainstay length, at 445mm, is relatively short for a bike designed for longer adventures, placing the rear tyre close to the seat tube – a clear indication that the frame is also designed with technical terrain in mind. The medium-sized bike, with Race specification and Pro LT dropper seatpost, weighs 11.57kg without pedals. This weight is competitive, given the price point. For comparison, the, is only slightly lighter, despite its full carbon frame, though it comes at a higher cost. The Sonder Broken Road, sharing similarities in style, is available with a 4130 chromoly or titanium frameset, and the titanium frame XT model has a claimed weight of 10.7kg. While the Broken Road is comparable in many ways, it is suspension-corrected for a 100mm fork, though rigid fork options with a 500mm axle-to-crown, RockShox Rudy or Lauf, are also available. At 168cm, I sit on the cusp of small and medium frame sizes. I opted for the medium. Compared to most cross-country mountain bikes, there’s less standover clearance, but the trade-off is extra space within the frame for mounting bags – ideal for bikepacking. One of my initial impressions was how slack the head tube felt for this style of bike. I was sceptical about how it would handle, particularly off-road, as the Beacon is designed for long rides, not purely technical trails. During testing, I took the Beacon on a variety of rides, from shorter trips usually reserved for my gravel bike to an extremely challenging 240km/6,000m non-stop adventure across Mid Wales and southern Eryri
Windover Bikes Beacon Frameset Mountain Bike Gravel Bike ATB Adventure Reynolds 853 Performance Review
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chinese Brand Winspace T1550 Aero Gen 2 Frameset: A Budget-Friendly Aero OptionThe Winspace T1550 Aero Gen 2 frameset offers high-end features typically found on expensive race bikes, but at a significantly lower price point. The article explores the growing presence of Chinese bike brands in the cycling market, highlighting Winspace as a brand to watch. It discusses the increasing popularity of Chinese-manufactured components and the success of brands like XDS in gaining recognition in professional cycling.
Read more »
Paul Danan Laid to Rest: Friends and Family Mourn 'Beacon of Light'Paul Danan, the 00s TV legend, was laid to rest in a solemn funeral attended by friends and family, including Boyzone's Shane Lynch. The 46-year-old tragically died last week after reportedly slipping and falling in a Bristol apartment.
Read more »
Beacon Parenting: Guiding Children Without OversteppingThe article explores the pitfalls of over-involvement in parenting and proposes a balanced alternative: 'beacon parenting'. It argues that excessive intervention can hinder children's autonomy and resilience while a more supportive approach allows them to learn from their mistakes and develop self-reliance.
Read more »
Amazon Prime subscribers urged to watch 'unique' sci-fi thriller Beacon 23Beacon 23, a sci-fi thriller based on Hugh Howey's short stories, has garnered praise for its 'unique' storytelling. Set in a dystopian future, the show follows two characters stranded at a remote space outpost as they unravel mysteries. Despite its cancellation after two seasons, Beacon 23 is being highly recommended by viewers.
Read more »
St Johns Beacon Embraces Exciting Future After Radio City DepartureThe iconic St Johns Beacon in Liverpool is poised for a new chapter after its long-standing partnership with radio station Hits Radio Liverpool (formerly known as Radio City) came to an end. The tower, which served as the station's home since 2000, will undergo a much-needed makeover before embarking on an exciting new venture.
Read more »
Could your 'wacky' idea be the future for St Johns Beacon?Landlords say they are listening to 'all ideas' for the former Radio City tower but are cool on the idea of a zipwire
Read more »