In late December 2020, Origine unveiled a third evolution of its iconic Axxome frame. After the II, presented on 3bikes in January 2019 in its GTR version, here is the Evo, available in disc or rim brake versions, for which the French brand developed an innovative carbon fiber molding technique, named UML, without material residue and unnecessary material superposition. Tested for a month on the roads of the French Riviera, the new, lighter ‘baby’ is very playful, especially in the percentages, and still lives up to its promise in terms of comfort and accessibility. An ideal road companion for audacious cyclists.

By Pierre-Maxime BRANCHE – Photos: @3bikes.fr

From the outside, nothing has changed. The Axxome, with the classicism of its tubes and geometry, is still there. Proud of its lines and elegantly sober. Also proud to stand out, perhaps, by reminding us of more traditional shapes. Both reassuring and intoxicating, because modernity is still eye-catching. Already one can guess, or feel, efficiency and energy return. Comfort, too. Still no integration. What for, anyway? And for whom? For what purpose? Ah. Yes. Some things have changed: this color already. “Zanzibar”! One of the new shades available on the online configurator (like pearly white, diva pink, rosso folgore, imperial yellow, orange fusion), still as easy and intuitive to visualize. And these wheels, Prymahl, the in-house signature launched on the market in September 2020, here in their low-profile rim version, 35 mm, for the mountains.

From the inside, however, the Axxome has evolved significantly. Origine has worked on its soul. The invisible, which does not mean imperceptible. Quite the contrary. To make this frame even lighter and more performant, but still as reliable as the proven RS and GTR. Thus, the engineers from the North of France have developed a new process, named UML for Unique Matrix Layup, in other words, a new carbon fiber molding technique: here, the sheets are assembled on the front triangle in a single step, around a single matrix.

The direct benefit: no more junction points and superfluous residue, no unnecessary superposition. « This new version of our internal mold allows for uniform pneumatic pressure compaction of the fibers over the entire front triangle, explains the brand, which thus controls the tube thickness to the micron, and continues: This optimized compaction allows us to eliminate excess material that previously served as a junction area, but created a hard spot and unnecessary weight. » Thanks to this new UML construction, Origine announces that this EVO version is just as strong while being 9.8% lighter than the GTR and 13.7% lighter than the RS.

No upheaval, however, on the rear triangle which retains the CCT+ process (Continuous Carbon Tubing), with a single tube forming the chainstays and seatstays. The carbon fibers wrap around the seat tube to fully embrace it, further reducing vibrations by dispersing them and minimizing hard spots. This process, which has already proven itself on previous versions, provides both responsiveness and vibration filtering.

Our test frame, the RS EVO, weighed at 671 g bare, comes with Prymahl Orion low-profile carbon wheels (C35) for rim brakes and Pro finish (20 aero spokes front radial and 24 rear radial on the drive side and laced 2-cross on the cassette side, weighing 1,390 g at €1,699) equipped with Schwalbe Pro One tires in 25 mm width. We also find a Campagnolo Super Record compact drivetrain (50-34) and 12 speeds (11-32), Ritchey components (handlebar, stem, seatpost) and a Selle Italia SLR Boost Superflow saddle.

With this setup, the configurator indicates 6.4 kg (without pedals) and a price of €6,000 (frame kit at €2,131). Also note that the cabling remains visible, as does the saddle clamp, which is still not integrated (a sign of the brand’s desire to maintain ease of maintenance for the user and not to add weight to the new frame), a round seatpost, a standard stem. Origine has a guiding principle and sticks to it.

On the Road

The previous opus, the Axxome II, which we tested in its disc brake version, had greatly impressed us with its responsive frame, playful in the percentages, but also and above all tolerant and very comfortable over long distances. Therefore, we had high expectations for this Evo version. Undeniably, these qualities are still present from the very first pedal strokes, even on climbs, with no observation period between rider and machine.

Out of the saddle, the frame’s lightness combines with its dynamism, making it easy to tackle climbs and accelerate effortlessly. This is the principle of Dynamic Response, the brand’s signature, with the same approach as a drawn bow or a tensioned spring which, when released, returns energy. It’s incisive and muscular when you push the watts over a few tens or even hundreds of meters, without needing to overdo it. The felt and concrete responsiveness on the road is followed by this sensation of tolerance in the deformation of a frame that is not extremely rigid, absorbing expended energy without breaking. Over a more prolonged effort, this dynamic response fades a little. It is therefore in changes of pace that the new Evo process seems to prove itself most, and not over the duration of a high-intensity effort lasting several minutes.

It is in changes of pace that the new Evo process seems to prove itself most, and not over the duration of a high-intensity effort lasting several minutes.

A Frame That Tolerates Chronic or Temporary Weaknesses

This effect is also the result of the rolling gear setup with these Orion C35s, which are far from being race beasts. « It was a deliberate choice to develop a product more accessible to the common person than the sacred super-rigid wheel. The goal was to form a coherent package with our bikes, which are aimed more at sportive riders than pure racers », explains François-Xavier Plaçais, head of development at Origine Cycles. This is what the road feel reveals, between a lively frame that quickly gains speed and wheels that temper the eagerness, so as not to exhaust muscles and consume too much energy.

It is also noticeable that the aero spokes are not tensioned to the maximum to avoid making the wheels too stiff. For strong rouleurs, very experienced riders, and true racers, the package clearly lacks rigidity to fully express its capabilities and provide the expected energy return. But once again, Origine is not pursuing this goal of rigidity at all costs, and here delivers wheels in the same dynamic as the frame: playful but reasonable, responsive but accessible, and easy to ride in all situations, especially when the percentages get steeper and demand more power, when you have to push harder and harder, or when accumulating km has led to excessive fatigue and it’s time to head home. Origine owners will therefore find themselves perfectly at home, as will future buyers who are fully aware of their real capabilities and want a bike that tolerates their chronic or temporary weaknesses.

Still as Comfortable

It’s much the same on the flats. Getting the bike up to speed is child’s play. Maintaining high speed requires more involvement and resources. The overall package lacks inertia, especially with this pair of wheels. There’s no doubt that it would be easier by fitting a more aero pair, perhaps the Orion C50s, which exist for that very reason in the catalog, or an equivalent from a competitor, to cut through the air and cover km more easily. That said, at cruising speed or in a group, the Axxome Evo is a joy to ride, especially on hilly courses. It responds to every demand, gear change, power surge, and kick to get over climbs and accelerate afterwards.

Especially since comfort is still another of its great strengths. On very bad roads, there’s not much to do but be patient. But on slightly rough surfaces or with some deteriorated sections, vibrations disperse well throughout the frame. No hard spots are felt under the saddle, nor on the front fork. The engineering, with its work on the invisible – no multitude of junctions, no residues – has done the job to allow cyclists long rides without suffering from the glutes, forearms, or neck, and to solve the fateful equation of lightness, efficiency, and comfort.

Its handling is also a success. Once the summits are crossed, the Axxome Evo eagerly dives into descents and perfectly maintains anticipated or more pronounced lines and braking. On the very winding and hairpin roads of the Cannes hinterland, the frame does not falter; it doesn’t weave, doesn’t deviate from its line, and it shines when exiting corners to pick up the pace. Line errors are even easily corrected.

Available as a frame kit at €2,102 for the RS Evo and €2,211 for the GTR Evo, this new version is offered for an additional €150 as a complete bike on the configurator compared to the RS and GTR series. Only €150. At the time of assessment, we must admit that we expected a greater margin of improvement for this 2021 Axxome over its little brother, enough to push it into another dimension. But aren’t our old instincts and racer memories resurfacing, pushing us to demand sensations from this Axxome that it is not destined to provide?

The answer is certainly in the affirmative, because choosing an Origine is also a work of introspection, knowing how to look at oneself in the mirror to answer the fateful questions without hiding behind one’s helmet and glasses: « What kind of cyclist am I? What are my capabilities, my goals, and my practice? Do I really need an extremely rigid frame that will weigh me down in the percentages and after several hours in the saddle? » The Axxome Evo is a very good frame that will appeal to a very large majority of cyclists, sportive riders, and racers. Its qualities allow for fun on all terrains, prioritizing responsiveness and comfort. Two essential qualities for instant pleasure or to prolong it.

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