The rise of Chinese framesets and road bikes might seem like all the rage at the moment, but the Chinese brand Elves has been around for a while – some 25 years, in fact. Locally, Elves Bikes UK provides hands-on, direct-to-consumer service that ensures local riders get quality support and the after-sales care that is often lacking from Eastern companies.
I’ve been intrigued by the Elves brand for a while, and I ride with friends who own various models, all of whom swear by the value and performance these bikes offer. That’s one of the reasons I requested the Falath EXP Sport for review.
With the rising cost of living and the associated costs of bike ownership, affordable Chinese brands like Elves offer great value not only for those upgrading to their first carbon frame/bike but also for experienced riders. The Elves range spans myriad options, from endurance to high-performance aero bikes, including gravel and time trial framesets priced to attract, not drive away, the customer.
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(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Design details
The Falath EXP is a striking machine. Our test bike came in a unique iridescent chameleon forest green colour, with contrasting white insets on the fork, rear stays, and Inverted Triangle Airflow Channel (ITAC). The paintwork looks green for the most part, but flips to a deep purple in the sun; it looks pretty cool and adds another dimension to the bold, expressive aesthetic.
That said, the Falath’s design is polarising and won’t appeal to everyone. I’m not a massive fan of the floating upper seat tube, as it doesn’t align with the lower section, but I get that it is tied to the Inverted Triangle Airflow Channel (ITAC). Still, I would have liked it to connect as one solid piece, like the Falath Evo.
The frame utilises modern tube shapes categorised by a deep headtube and fork and an equally chunky downtube and rear triangle. While there are seven standard base colourways to choose from, custom paint is free and part of the bike-buying experience – you can choose from 70 different colour combinations, 10 design options, and four wordmark decal colours. Custom paint takes just 8-10 weeks to complete and is one of the fastest services in the industry.
(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Ah yes, the Triangle Airflow Channel. It’s undoubtedly a unique feature of the bike, but it’s more than you might think. According to Elves, its purpose centres around “minimising wind resistance, reducing drag and turbulence”, with further benefits claimed to help balance frame stiffness with comfort, ultimately improving compliance. Elves has no wind tunnel data to back up these claims, but I like what the company has done here in pushing the design envelope. All too often, brands from the East follow a cookie-cutter copy-and-paste blueprint, but not here, despite some pointing out that it resembles the Trek Madone’s IsoFlow design.
In terms of construction, the Falath EXP is made from bonded premium Japanese Toray T1000 and T800 carbon fibre, despite the monocoque construction nomenclature on the inside of the seat tube cutout, which I mistook for one-piece moulded construction. The frame is UCI-approved. On a size 52cm, the frameset comes in at 1,220g unpainted and with hardware – in line with aero bikes such as the Cannondale SystemSix (standard modulus) and Ribble Ultra-Aero SL.
(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The Falath EXP is available in a choice of five sizes: 45, 49, 52, 55, 58cm. It’s not the biggest spread, but it’s enough to cover most of the riding demographic, granted you’re not at the extreme ends of the sizing spectrum. The geometry of our 52cm test bike is progressive and in line with the segment’s aero standards. Stack and reach are pegged at 536 and 386 cm, respectively, while a 72.5-degree head tube angle, 74-degree seat tube angle, and 410cm chainstays round out the top-line figures. Maximum tyre clearance is rated at 32mm, similar to many of the best aero road bikes.
(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Specifications
Given the cost-of-living crisis and the outrageous pricing currently plaguing the bike-buying journey, I requested a Shimano 105 Di2-equipped Falath EXP to see how much value Elves can offer both new and experienced riders.
The spec level is pretty impressive, honestly. The Falath range has three basic builds: Shimano 105 Di2 EXP Sport (pictured here), Ultegra Di2 EXP Elite, or Dura-Ace Di2 EXP Team. Each model can be specced with various bar/stem lengths, crank lengths, saddle widths, and tyres all based on what you fancy.
Of course, system weights will vary depending on what you choose, but our Elves Falath EXP Sport weighed 8.15kg (without pedals). Add a pair of pedals, and that will increase things by 180-300g. I used Look Keo Blade Ceramic Ti pedals, which added around 200g and took the total weight to 8.3kg.
(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
As mentioned, the bike is built around a Shimano 105 Di2 groupset with 52/36T, 11-34T chainset and 165mm cranks. It’s an impressive package and, aside from some aesthetic differences and material choices, can handle whatever comes its way.
The bulk of the build uses Elves’ in-house brand, Orome, which covers the handlebar and wheels. The 400mm handlebar comes with an out-front computer mount and is well-shaped and ergonomic. The Orome SK45/50D wavy-rim wheelset, while relatively heavy and similar to the wavy-hoop design seen on Zipp and Princeton, is also good value. They came wrapped in 32mm Continental GP5000 tyres, as part of a £100 upgrade.
I was very impressed by the saddle, which I didn’t expect to be 3D-printed; it proved exceptionally comfortable throughout the test period. The threaded T47 bottom bracket will also put the mind of the home mechanic at ease.
(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Performance
The Falath EXP Sport rides very well, and I adjusted to the fit pretty quickly. The ride quality is neither overly harsh nor cosseting, but does deliver the lively feel you’d expect from an aero bike. Our test bike came fitted with tubed 32mm Continental tyres, which did help soften some of the road buzz on the harsher road surfaces that make up the narrow lanes of the Surrey Hills. Smoother roads are where the Falath EXP thrives and performs at its best – here it’s able to maintain speed and allows you to get into a rhythm.
Climbing, however, is not its strong point. While I found it mediocre on steeper gradients, it’s no slouch on shallower slopes like Box Hill and will barrel up there at a decent pace on group rides. The stack is fairly high for an aero bike and, with the spacers under the stem, provides a more upright riding position that lends itself to better overall climbing performance. Like all aero bikes, however, the faster you ride, the easier it is to flatten rolling hills, and once you reach 40kph+, this is fairly straightforward territory for the Falath.
(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Descents are where the Falath EXP makes up for its lack of climbing prowess, delivering a detailed experience that lets the rider track accurate lines through tight and flowing lefts and rights. I found the weight distribution over both axles beautifully balanced, which gave me the confidence to attack rather than back off in the corners: less braking, more speed. The 400mm handlebar is not the narrowest around (this can be specced from purchase), but it does the job, supplying good comfort and ergonomics – especially for rides of over three hours.
While Elves does offer a tubeless upgrade at purchase, I kept my test bike as delivered, which meant rattling valve stems under load and during sprint accelerations; easily solved (valve guards or going tubeless), but equally annoying at times. I found the stock 52/36, 11-30T gearing worked well overall, supplying enough range for most situations, including fast-paced group rides and decent enough bail-out gear for double-digit gradients.
(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Value
The Elves Falath EXP’s trump card is its £3,499 sticker price point. A tyre upgrade like ours will add an extra £100 to the bill, but considering what you get for the money, not to mention the free custom paint, it’s hard to beat. Yes, you will likely find something cheaper, but it will probably come with its own set of potential drawbacks.
The Elves UK team has been working diligently to set up an operation here in the UK that adds a level of confidence and peace of mind often missing from the Asian recipe.
(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Its closest rival is UK brand Ribble’s Ultra-Aero SL R range, which is also very well priced. The like-for-like model is the Ultra-Aero SL R 105 Di2, which has recently dropped from £3,749 to £3,149. While it looks like better value on paper, it comes with shallow alloy wheels and no 3D-printed saddle. Sure, you can add custom paint, but that’s an extra £700. In fact, the Ultra-Aero SL R Ultegra Di2 is probably a closer rival based on the components and carbon deep-dish wheels, but it’s pricier still at £3,999, down from £4,749.
A more mainstream comparison would be the equally priced £3,499 Giant Propel Advanced 1. It gets the same Shimano 105 Di2 groupset and benefits from Giant SLR 2 50 Carbon wheels. The Propel has a decorated racing history and is more established, with a lineage that dates back decades. What it lacks, however, is a threaded bottom bracket, and custom paintwork isn’t an option; neither is a complete component specification at purchase. You’ll need to buy the frameset for component freedom, but even that option costs over £1,000 more than a frameset from Elves.
The Falath EXP Sport suits the up-and-coming junior, new racer, or beginner-to-intermediate rider who wants a high-value aero road bike without breaking the bank. Furthermore, the Elves Falath EXP Sport comes with a manufacturer’s five-year warranty on the frame, with fully operational after-sales support handled locally in the UK.
(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Scoring breakdown
|
Design details |
The Falath EXP boasts a unique aesthetic, but it won’t appeal to all. The free custom paint option is a handy upgrade for potential buyers. |
7.5 |
|
Specifications |
It’s handily appointed with a great mix of components, including an electronic groupset, carbon wheels, a carbon integrated cockpit and a 3D-printed saddle. |
8.5 |
|
Weight |
8.15kg is neither heavy nor light, but I did expect a sub-8kg in this spec and size. |
6 |
|
Performance and handling |
The Elves Falath EXP Sport won’t disappoint across any of its performance attributes – it’s pleasing to ride, descends impressively and manages to hold its own on the climbs, too. |
8 |
|
Value |
Superb value at this price point. When you factor in the UK after sales support and warranty, it’s going to take some doing to beat. |
10 |
|
Overall |
Row 5 – Cell 1 |
80% |
Tech spec
- Price: £3,499
- Brand: Elves
- Frame: Elves Toray T800/T1000 carbon fibre
- Fork: Elves Toray T800/T1000 carbon fibre
- Weight: 8.15kg (52cm)
- Sizes: 45, 49, 52, 55, 58cm
- Levers: Shimano 105
- Brakes: Shimano 105
- Rear derailleur: Shimano 105 Di2
- Front derailleur: Shimano 105 Di2
- Crankset: Shimano 105 Di2 52/36T
- Cassette: Shimano 105 11-34T
- Chain: Shimano
- Wheels: Orome Valar SK45/50D Wavy
- Tyres: Continental GP5000 32mm
- Bar/stem: Orome AeroEvo carbon integrated
- Seatpost: Elves Falath EXP carbon
- Saddle: OSSE Sport 3D printed
