Tupelo Full Build - SRAM Force AXS D2 2x and carbon wheels

Wireless gears are here to stay and SRAM’s Force AXS D2 groupset is a firm favourite at Landrace HQ. We have been using the earlier D1 version on our rental bikes that get some hard riding in all conditions and to date we have never had a problem. As the 46t/33t chainrings are smaller than Shimano’s 50t/34t with similar sized rear cassettes the gearing is lower so the Force AXS groupset lends itself to gravel riding and road riding. 

The cockpit is Deda Elementi’s aluminium Zero 100 handlebar and stem with comfy, vibration absorbing Cinelli Chubby bar tape. A good quality and weatherproof Wheels Manufacturing T47 bottom bracket will keep on spinning.

Run this bike with road or wider gravel tyres, or get yourself two sets of wheels so you can change your terrain on a whim.

Jules and Phil have decades of experience designing custom frames with the foremost titanium builders in the industry – Seven, Serotta and Passoni to name but a few. Consequently, they returned to titanium for their own debut model - Tupelo.

The unassuming metal belies a cocktail of properties that are addictive to the adventurous cyclist: strength, comfort, lightness and longevity. The Tupelo is made by one of the very few companies in the Far East that have become specialists working with the famously recalcitrant metal. The gold-standard recipe for titanium bicycle frames is to blend pure titanium with 3% aluminium and 2.5 vanadium to give the hallowed Titanium 3AL-2.5V equation.

Using their twenty plus years of bike fitting and custom design Phil and Jules designed the following into the Tupelo frame:

Sensible stack & reach

A comfortable rider is an efficient rider. The Landrace geometry will put your handlebars in just the right place so you can ride all day. The frame is shorter and higher than any other frame on the market.

Stable handling

Beyond everything Tupelo is designed to look after you. Even when you have strayed somewhere you shouldn't! Responsive enough to be fun, stable enough to inspire confidence.

Low bottom bracket

Hands the pilot a huge dose of poise and bike handling confidence they have never felt before. Fast and technical descents are taken with ease.

Tyre clearance

The Tupelo is at home on the road or on light gravel, the frame and fork are optimised for 28mm plus road tyres and up to 38mm gravel tyres.

Short chainstays

Long enough for a 38mm gravel tyre, or a 28mm road tyre with mudguards; short enough to provide great power transfer out the saddle and quick out of the corners.

Seat Angle

Steeper than many bikes on the market, it means your hips are more open for better pedalling and you are more balanced on the bike.