The concept has made it onto the road! Almost 18 months after the presentation of one of the most unusual racing bikes in recent history, the Baldiso One is now available. Despite a failed crowdfunding and initial scepticism about its direction, a duo from the Allgäu region has put a model on the tyres that doesn't roll into the TOUR editorial office every day.
The frame of the Baldiso One stands out
Its unique selling point is the sophisticated frame construction without a seat tube. Although this means that the One is not race-approved by the UCI, the limited-production and astronomically expensive bike is definitely suitable for competition, as our individual test shows. "A racing bike that not only stands out from the crowd, but is absolutely unique." Sebastian Baldauf started this daring project with this claim. The ex-professional is the face behind Baldiso, a young brand that wants to establish itself on the highly competitive market with exclusive bikes.
For support, the former German mountain champion called on the expertise of Carbonworks and Simon Bühler, a specialist in carbon fibre parts. Both initially answered the definition of uniqueness with the plan to build the lightest production bike in the world. "However, an extremely light bike would have a very classic shape and would be based primarily on material savings," says Baldauf. The new approach envisaged a "design bike", as the 36-year-old calls the One. With its seat tube-less frame - and shiny gold paintwork - the Baldiso really is like a work of art that you could hang on your wall. However, on our test benches, in the wind tunnel and on the road, the design project shows that it is much more than that.
Optical pioneer from the USA
The approach is not entirely new. US manufacturer Kestrel experimented with similar designs more than 30 years ago. The 500 SCi was the first model with racing handlebars in which the US brand replaced the classic diamond frame with a diamond-shaped design. The independent design became particularly well-known on triathlon bikes such as the Airfoil Pro, as these are not subject to the strict regulations of the UCI.
Despite the visual proximity: From a technical point of view, the Baldiso has little in common with a Kestrel from the nineties. Although the seat tube is missing and the carbon tubes are extremely long, the One is one of the most torsion-resistant carbon constructions in the TOUR test. "We use high-quality carbon fibres, but nothing exotic. A good construction, the shaping of the tubes and the layer structure are decisive for the quality of the frame," explains Bühler, referring to the flowing transitions without classic radii between the individual components.
The Baldiso One can keep up with top models
The top values are all the more remarkable as the chassis from Asian production is extremely thin-walled. The co-production of Baldiso and Carbonworks thus remains under the UCI weight limit of 6.8 kilograms even when ready to ride. In addition to the lightweight frameset, the test bike benefits from exclusive add-on parts such as the monocoque wheels from Bike Ahead Composites. The wheelset from one of Germany's best-known carbon manufacturers not only helps the One on the scales; the six-spoke wheel also contributed to the strong result in the wind tunnel.
The bike needs 207 watts at 45 km/h to overcome its own air resistance. Although the Baldiso leaves a gap to comparable "flounders" such as a Storck Aerfast.5 (198 watts) or Simplon Pride II (199 watts), it overtakes prominent representatives of the speed fraction such as Giant, Pinarello or Specialised. Other tricks such as fast tyres - on the prototype in the wind tunnel, the new Aero 111 from Continental optimised brake discs and a single chainring crank without a front derailleur also have an effect. The comparative measurement with the reference wheelset (Zipp 404, year 2018) delivers the identical result.
Very strong result
The Baldiso translates the racing character from the laboratory and wind tunnel straight onto the road. It is simply an experience to blast over the tarmac on the One. On flat terrain, the flat frame set sails noticeably in the wind. The steering behaviour is also extremely direct thanks to the remarkably short wheelbase. The riding position is sporty, and the relatively large distance between the upper and lower handlebars means you sit crouched low in the racing position.
The impression of a pure sports bike - Baldiso provided us with a slightly differently equipped bike for the ride test than for the wind tunnel - is rounded off by fast tyres from Maxxis and the racing 1x12 gear ratio from Sram. In the lowest gear, the chain is on the 50/36 tooth combination, which means that the drivetrain is not recommended for steep terrain. While the gearing can be customised to the area of use and performance level in the configurator or in a personal consultation, a central weakness of the One cannot be corrected: The suspension comfort of the frameset is practically non-existent.
The combination of solid seat dome and short seat post, whose clamping screw is difficult to reach, hardly gives way. The full carbon saddle manufactured in Portugal is also not one of the most comfortable models. The handlebar-stem combination of the Boliden is a little gentler on the rider, and the tubeless tyres can compensate for the system's hardness. Overall, however, the Baldiso achieves a below-average result in this discipline. As a result, the Goldstück just missed out on joining the club of the best competition bikes in the TOUR test.
With a score of 1.6, the Exot can nevertheless be pleased with a very strong result. The self-proclaimed "design bike" is definitely more than that. However, its limitations, small size range and pricing policy severely limit the target group. With the One, Baldauf has his sights set on cyclists "who also treat themselves to a chic convertible or a high-quality watch". The technically exciting concept should certainly help the young brand to gain further recognition.
Hardly any price limits
So far, eight bikes have changed hands (as of February 2025). A network of so-called premium dealers is set to boost business in the near future. However, prospective buyers must put at least 13,630 euros on the table, with almost no upper limit. The test bike costs 18,720 euros, but builds for over 20,000 euros are also possible. The frame set costs 8740 euros. The modular system offers a choice of drivetrain, wheels, handlebars, saddle and paintwork.
The Baldiso combines extroverted design with competitive aerodynamics, low weight and high frame rigidity. - Julian Schultz, TOUR test editor
The Baldiso One in detail
- Price: 18,720 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 6.6 kilos
- Frame sizes: S, M, L
- TOUR grade: 1,6
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 487/555/156 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 570/373 millimetres/1.53
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 615/561 millimetres/1.10
- Wheelbase/caster: 975/60 millimetre
Equipment of the luxury road bike
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Red AXS (1x12; 50, 10-36 t.) | Grade: 2.0
- Brakes: SRAM Red/Carbon-Ti X-Rotor Aero (160/140 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Tyres: Maxxis High Road SL 28 mm (eff.: 28 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: Bike Ahead Composites BiTurbo Aero
- Impeller weights: 1044/1364 grams (front/rear)
Measured values of the Baldiso One
- Weight of complete wheel: 6550 grammes | Grade: 1.3
- Aerodynamics: 207 Watt | Grade: 1.3
- Driving stability: 9.4 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
- Rear comfort: 313 N/mm | Grade: 5.0
- Comfort front: 82 N/mm | Grade: 2.3
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 64 N/mm | Grade: 1.0
Strengths and weaknesses
- Plus: Independent design, lightweight, top aerodynamics, first-class stiffness values
- Minus: Extremely hard tuned, very expensive, only three sizes
Julian Schultz
Editor
