It seems the call of the trail is louder than ever before, as riders come full circle from installing wider tires on their road bikes and exploring gravel B-roads to adding a full-blown dirt machine to their stable. There’s many options available to the discerning off-roader but perhaps the nth degree is a titanium Extensa from Australia’s Baum Cycles.
It’s interesting to note that a completely custom build like this is a comparable price to an off-the-peg offering from an offshore factory. The difference is that you’re contributing back to a local economy based on quality over quantity — and a personalized paint scheme that’s off the wall. Baum’s road bikes are already eye-catching, but this is something else.
Although built as a single speed, the Extensa can be converted to a 1×11 drivetrain in about twenty minutes. That sliding rear dropout system is now standard on all hardtail MTB frames from Baum, offering versatility with a bucketload of style. Weighing in at around 9kgs, enduro racing and XC competitions are easily accessible, and Sunday sessions become even more inspiring.
Special thank to Ryan and Baum Cycles for the photography. See more beautiful bicycles on their flickr stream.
