Modern steel road bikes really don’t get much prettier and more well put together than Repete Cycles’ all new R3: Reason. This third generation road bike from the Czech framebuilder is a beautiful example of classic road bike looks updated with some of the cleanest integration and internal cable routing we’ve ever seen…
A classic trope of perfected minimalism is that a design is complete when there is no unnecessary feature and detail that could be removed. Looking at the new Repete R3: Reason, this road bike is so smooth and sleek. There are clearly no extraneous details remaining. C Steel Profile C Channel
We’ve been following Repete since their first road bikes built in Prague back almost a decade ago. But they’d really stepped up their game around 2019. That’s when we got a sneak peek inside their updated workshop of what would become their 2nd generation Reason road & Verne gravel bikes. But now Repete take their design and craftsmanship to the next level with this new generation three R3: Reason integrated road bike.
Compared to the 2nd gen road bike, Repete still welds and brazes the new Repete R3: Reason Prague, from top-tier lightweight Columbus Spirit HSS double-butted steel tubing. But now, fully integrated. Cables completely disappear. The seatpost clamp gets hidden away. A new removable CNC-machined braze-on front derailleur clamp makes 1x, 2x & Di2 setups sleeker than ever. And even the water bottle bolt braze-ons are so low-profile that they blend into the tubes.
To make the integrated routing and internal 1 1/8″ to 1.5″ tapered headset solution work, Repete welds a stainless cup for the upper bearing of the headset directly onto the top of the tapered Columbus headtube to create that multi-curve hourglass shape without losing the strength of the originally-drawn tube. It’s quite a bit more work that simply machining such a headtube, but Repete assures us it’s worth the hassle.
The seatpost clamp is a special treat. It utilizes a 3d-printed stainless steel element at the top of each of the seatstays that flows neatly into the back of the cut-away seattube. Then a stainless steel bolt tightens from the non-driveside to replaceable hardware tucked away inside. It’s such a clean modern adaptation of an integrated clamping concept you could find on classic steel bikes for decades.
Oh, and at the same time, Repete gives the R3: Reason more tire clearance to take on rougher roads. Now there’s room for up to 35mm tires. While at the same time, they shave a couple millimeters off the already short chainstays.
The Repete R3: Reason is a performance road bike handbuilt in the Czech Republic from the best steel available. It features fully hidden internal cable routing. And it’s compatible with electronic shifting groupsets only – either 1x or 2x. Repete calls it the perfect blend of “rigidity, durability and truly unique comfort“. All with classic good looks and modern functionality.
The Reason features a threaded T47 bottom bracket, flat mount disc brakes, a stainless dropouts for 12mm thru-axles, a polished stainless chain hanger inside the seatstay, and a classic 27.2mm seatpost for comfort & style.
Repete sells the new Reason frameset for 5600€, available in 6 stock frame sizes (50-60cm). For that you get the frame and a full carbon ENVE Road In-Route fork painted to match in the RAL color of your choice, plus all the regular hardware. Frameset lead-time is approximately 10 weeks.
Integrated routing headset & stem are apparently extra. Repete will also build you up a complete Reason road bike with the component spec of your choice. Or you can get a frame and build it up through one of their retailers.
On a side note – well they are a part of the new bike too – we haven’t shared this video before. But it’s great. Repete has the stainless steel dropouts of the Reason and the Verne, investment cast locally in the Czech Republic – about an hour from their workshop. For Repete, custom cast dropouts were core element of a proper handmade bicycle frame. And a bit of a symbol of success. So, they worked hard to make it happen. And then, they documented the process of development. So, they take us all along for the ride, all the way inside the foundry to the actual casting.
Cory Benson is the EU Tech Editor of Bikerumor.com.
Cory has been writing about mountain bikes, enduro, cyclocross, all-road, gravel bikes & bikepacking for over 25 years, even before the industry gave some these names. Prior to Bikerumor, Cory was a practicing Architect specializing in environmental sustainability, has designed bike shops & bike components and worked as a bike shop mechanic.
Based in the Czech Republic for 15+ years, he is a technical mountain biker, adventurous gravel rider, short & medium-haul bikepacker. Cory travels extensively across Europe riding bikes, meeting with key European product developers, industry experts & tastemakers for an in-depth review of what’s new, and what’s coming next.
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Weight of fully built up bike with pedals?
8,5kg + pedals (size 56, 32mm tires)
So, 19.5lbs with pedals and cages
Those details are gorgeous. Ride Repete, rinse, repeat.
€5600 frame and fork?? It’s beautiful, but damn… That’s custom carbon or titanium money. Maybe it’s just me, but bespoke cast dropouts and a seatlug shouldn’t double the cost of a frame
Do you mean that 3D-printed stainless steel seat lug that goes on the bike that’s made in the Czech Republic where the rate of inflation is over twice what it is in the US? Are we talking about the same bike that has custom-machined stainless steel headset bearing cups welded into the head tube? Right. Have you looked at the price of an off-the-shelf Moots? What about one of the top CF models from any manufacturer?
Of course, the “cast dropouts and seat lug” don’t double the cost of the frame. You just ignored everything else that went into that frame or influenced the cost of that frame (like the Czech economy and the cost of materials for them). Oh, and 3D-printed bits are not the same as cast bits.
Of course, custom bikes run the gamut of prices, just like everything else. So? Have you priced a custom bike from Tom Sturdy in the UK? As of 2018 and per Richard Sachs, the cost of a Sachs frame was about $6000, and his frames are about as traditional as things get. There is no shortage of custom frames that are “expensive” by your metrics…..but so what? It’s very likely you’re not the market for those makers. And you aren’t being forced to buy one of those.
Wow this answer alone inspire pity… you should calm down mate! You’re comparing this standard size frame to custom build frames the likes of Richard Sachs, come on. I reckon this frameset is beautiful but it’s way too overpriced. But that’s alright because we understand this is product for a luxury/rich market target. Anyway, anybody in his right mind will be asking for a similar product but custom fitted for a lower price at his local framebuilder. But don’t worry, you’ll be able to sell it no problem.
Chances are, you work for a business that charges more than some others for basically the same service. Not everything is for everyone. And it’s not like they’re trying to be. I know I don’t want it but some will.
What’s it weigh? How can you write an article like this and omit the weight?
All the details are not unique nor more than some other steel bikes. What is this an advertisement, click bait? I’m sure many steel frame builders and owners will take issue with this being the “the cleanest”. No it’s not.
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