The people behind Gothic Aix call the gravel bike the ‘unholy spawn of mechanics’. Before Pete Hague and Lia Weston set up their own bike brand, they spent over 20 years repairing customers’ bikes. During that time, the Australians had their hands on virtually every existing bike brand and gained a thorough understanding of what works and what doesn’t. Today, Gothic Cycles sells its own custom gravel bikes and greets prospective buyers with a characteristically charismatic yet sinister welcome: “Welcome to the dark side of gravel.”
Conclusion
The mechanics at Gothic Cycles know what they’re talking about. The Aix is straightforward and attractive – and, of course, brimming with dark charm. It’s also great that the prices remain reasonably affordable. Anyone who doesn’t want to buy an off-the-shelf gravel bike should pop into Gothic. The Australians also ship worldwide. – Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Gothic Aix in detail
- Intended use: gravel bike
- Ground clearance: 50 / 45 mm
- Frame material: carbon
- Frame weight: approx. 1120 g
- Price: from approx. 3,680 euros
- Special features: Custom build and paintwork available
Perfection and Darkness
After decades of working on bicycles, Pete Hague and Lia Weston realised that many gravel bikes either compromised on quality and functionality due to pressure from manufacturers to keep prices down, or were disproportionately expensive as high-end models. Unable to find a carbon bike that met their own high standards, they decided not simply to sell an existing brand, but to develop a bike themselves. This is how Gothic Cycles came into being – born out of a desire to build an uncompromising, high-quality gravel bike of which they themselves could be proud.
The philosophy of this small brand is based on the belief that bicycles should be developed by mechanics and tailored to the actual needs of their riders. Every detail – from the geometry and cable routing right through to the choice of components – is designed to serve performance and function, not marketing. The bikes are hand-built with great care, without cutting corners or making compromises, and are individually tailored to riding style, terrain and personal preferences. At the same time, Gothic sees its name as an expression of an aesthetic that brings opposites together: light and shadow, form and function, beauty and pain. This combination of technical perfection, individuality and a deliberately dark, unconventional aesthetic forms the core of the brand.
Holy Aix
The name ‘Aix’ has its roots in Greek mythology and refers to a seductive, untamed nymph. “Every Aix is sacred,” declares Gothic Cycles theatrically. This refers to the bespoke approach behind the gravel bike. Every Aix is individually built and painted to order. The team behind the gravel bike is averse to mass-market compromises. For surcharges ranging from 350 to 2,000 Australian dollars, Gothic will bring even the wildest designs to life. So if you’d like blood spatters and skulls on your Aix, feel free to voice any dark desire. Prospective buyers should be prepared to spend between approximately 3,680 and 8,000 euros and allow at least three months for delivery. Frame sets are not currently sold separately.
At the front, the Gothic Aix accommodates tyres up to 50 millimetres wide, whilst at the rear there is space for 45 millimetres. Thanks to its background in mechanical engineering, Gothic is not a fan of proprietary standards and sticks to tried-and-tested dimensions. However, the cables are routed through the headset. The geometry is comparatively compact and agile. The gravel bike’s light weight is also designed to complement this. In the high-quality components, all bolts are made either of titanium or aluminium.
What do you think: do you prefer to buy your gravel bike from established, major manufacturers, or are you more interested in small, niche brands? Let us know in the comments!
Jan Timmermann
Editor