Enigma's new Excel 6AL/4V prototype is not only the foundation for the British titanium bike manufacturer's upcoming 20th-anniversary limited-edition model. It will also showcase the future design direction of Enigma’s range.
With only 20 frames scheduled for production, the new Excel is set to be a collector’s item. Each frame will be handmade at Enigma’s HQ in Hailsham, Sussex, and made from Grade 5 (6AL/4V) double-butted titanium tubing. The prototype is finished with a satin bead blast, and gold-mirror anodised details, head badge and logos.
Jim Walker, Enigma’s managing director, says: “We are collaborating with our friends at Reynolds Technology, who are aiming to produce a brand-new set of Grade 5 6AL/4V tubing for the bike. We want the frame to be as ‘British’ and sustainably produced as possible.”
- Read more: Best titanium road bikes in 2026 for smooth and luxurious riding, as reviewed by BikeRadar
Enigma Excel 6A1/4V details
The frame features 3D-Printed UDH dropouts and a 3D-printed seat cluster. As you’ll notice from our pictures, Enigma has stayed with a traditional external seat clamp.
“We believe [a traditional clamp] offers greater long-term security and serviceability than the current trend for concealed push-plate systems," says Walker. "At Enigma, we use 3D printing only where it offers a genuine structural or functional advantage, not purely for aesthetic impact.”
The bike uses a CNC-machined IS52 head tube and a CNC-Machined T47 bottom bracket shell. Walker says this is because CNC machining delivers much tighter tolerances than 3D printing and a superior surface finish. It’s the right choice for high-load, precision interfaces such as head tubes and bottom brackets.
Enigma Excel 6A1/4V design
The design team at Enigma wants its bikes to combine classic looks with a modern twist. However, it says function should always lead form.
Enigma doesn’t believe that titanium should mimic carbon fibre aero shapes. Simply, if aerodynamics are your ultimate priority, it believes you should use carbon fibre. Enigma wants to celebrate titanium’s qualities and amplify rather than disguise them. Jim is adamant you’ll never see a titanium ‘aero’ frameset from Enigma.
Its intention is to show off its frame builders' skill with traditional TIG welding, and use a combination of tube diameters, wall thicknesses and butt profiles to influence the ride quality.
While the new bike embraces some 3D-printed elements, Walker sees overreliance on this new technology as a limiting factor when it comes to custom bikes, which have been the heart of Enigma’s business for two decades.
Jim tells us: “While it is possible to build custom frames around extensive 3D-printed components, it can significantly increase cost and restrict design. A more traditional construction allows almost complete customisation without unnecessary complexity.”
For Enigma, it's also about longevity – and that means reparability. Titanium frames, made conventionally, are fully repairable. When you damage a complex 3D-printed structure, it's difficult – if not impossible – to rectify. Enigma wants its bikes to last for decades rather than seasons.
This being a prototype, Enigma hasn’t yet listed pricing for the 20th anniversary Excel, alhough the current Excel is priced from £4,070 for a disc frameset.
