My introduction to Cyfac bikes was at Interbike, 2004.  I normally dislike anything colored baby blue, but there I stood, staring at this beautiful baby blue bike thinking  "I could definitely ride that" (see Cyfac's CLM TT bike pictured).  Unfortunately, I flew in to Vegas on Wednesday morning, got to Interbike at 1:00 p.m. local time and was flying out that next morning.  I had 5 hours to photograph everything even remotely related to triathlon.  I took almost 600 photographs while walking several miles through a very crowded convention center.  Well, then, you'll understand why I had no time to discuss Cyfac bikes with the folks at Velo Europa (the U. S. distributor).

While reviewing my photographs after Interbike, I happened upon the Cyfac and decided that I needed to learn more about this company.  Cyfac is a French company that has been building bikes in its La Fuye, France based workshop for some of the world's best racers to use in the world's most prominent races for over 30 years.  Cyfac offers 5 road frames and 2 tri/TT frames all at fairly reasonable prices for the outstanding design, tubing quality and paint quality provided.  It even offers custom geometry and painting for a reasonable up charge.   There is no doubt that Cyfac bikes are among the best available anywhere at any price.

Feeling the need to experience a Cyfac for myself, I contacted Eric Sakalowsky at Velo Europa.  After several very polite exchanges, I was shipped the Nerv Carbon (since the CLM's standard sizes are too long for me).  Upon opening the box and unpacking the frame, I just stared at it with this huge smile on my face.  I then left it in my office window until Mark and I had time to build it up with Dura Ace 10 speed components.  The whole time it was in my window, it was hard to keep from looking at it.  Not only is the color scheme dramatic, with the very deep carbon tubing offset by the liquid red paint of the aluminum lugs, but the tube shapes are like none I've ever seen before.

While I can build a bike, I prefer to have Mark, the self-acclaimed “TgR staff wrench”, take charge of the process because he is a perfectionist.  After completing the build up, Mark commented that it wasn't as easy as some.  While the frameset built up beautifully, he found that the rear brake mount was a fraction too small for the standard brake nut requiring a little extra work, that the included headset left an unsightly gap between the frame and fork (we replaced it with an FSA) and that the seat post clamp was difficult to work with.  Mark and I would strongly advise anyone interested in a Cyfac purchase one through the authorized dealer network.

Now that Mark's job was done, my job starts - I love riding new bikes.  I put approximately 500 miles on this bike, which included some long rides, fast rides, easy rides, etc.  I would describe the ride as just about perfect - smooth, fluid, intuitive, balanced, stiff and fast.  Yes that's quite a mouthful, but this is an incredibly adept and diverse bike.  It will practically do whatever you want it to do, whenever you want it to.  It climbs extremely well and descends even better.  Its best characteristic, though, is that it is stiff enough for big powerful riders, yet it can still provide excellent road feel for smaller riders; it's like having a super stiff, carbon monocoque frame that rides like titanium or steel.  Yes, it is remarkable and it will appeal to a very diverse group of riders.  Practically anyone can ride this bike fast while enjoying the outstanding road feel in mile 65 of a century.

Looks - I'll let you judge that on your own.  Check out the full range of colors, including some gorgeous new paint schemes for 2005 @ www.veloeuropa.com.  Everyone who saw me riding this bike thought it was beautiful.  Even my wife, who usually doesn't have time to comment about any feature other than cost, thought it was the "coolest" bike she'd seen me ride. 

Now that I have spent significant time with this bike, I can not only highly recommend Cyfac bikes, but I can agree with all of the comments used by Velo Europa when describing it as follows:

Overview

This is a light and stiff performer, ideal for racers and fast riders who want a high-performance ride and the confidence to push a bike to the limit. Ideally suited to strong and powerful riders, the Nerv Carbon is equally at home hammering up 15% grades and bumping elbows in a pack sprint.

Cyfac's Nerv Carbon frame is an unmatched blend of high-tech aluminum alloy and an industry-leading carbon fibre technology. The NERV alloy lugs are made with a proprietary blend of zinc, alu, and magnesium. They are supremely strong, resistant to wear and corrosion, and precisely finished. Paired with the highest level of T800H carbon fibre tube sections makes for a bomb-proof performer. The Nerv Carbon tube profiles have a "keyhole" shape that we call OCS, Opposite Curve System. This improves stiffness and vibration-dampening, while adding a unique look only found with the Nerv Carbon. Forget those soda-can frames and throw a leg over this rocket.

Features

Triple-butted, 7000 series aluminum/zinc/ magnesium lugs paired with T800H high-modulus carbon fibre tube sections and rear triangle.

Proprietary "OCS" down and top tubes for a stiff and a superlative ride.

Exclusive carbon Double Stay rear in s-bend profile is stiff yet comfortable.

Frame and fork weight only 1.4 kgs.

Cyfac's NERV CARBON is 100% hand-made in La Fuye, France.

MSRP $2899 frame/fork/headset