Origine Axxome RR review: featherweight and versatility

Launched this summer, the Axxome RR is the latest evolution of the iconic best-seller from the French brand Origine Cycles. After 12 years of continuous development on the Axxome range, this RR model represents the technological pinnacle of the company based in Somain (Northern France). Designed for mountain pass hunters and demanding sport cyclists seeking absolute efficiency, lightness, and precision, the Axxome RR is also more technical and exclusive than its predecessors like the Axxome GTR. With a frame that is 120g lighter, it still benefits from an excellent price-quality ratio compared to the competition. And it remains accessible on the road.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©Vincent Lyky

Thanks to the use of a very high-end and ultra-exclusive carbon fiber, as well as a completely revised molding system, the Axxome RR frame is announced at less than 750g in size M, which is 120g less than the Axxome GTR, while maintaining the same classic lines and geometry. This is a great achievement that allows for the assembly of a very light bike, as seen here with our test bike which benefits from the best options to lower the weight to around 6.5 kg complete, 300g below the UCI regulation weight limit.

This featherlight weight obviously influences the user’s riding experience, especially as soon as the road goes uphill. The Axxome RR feels airy when accelerating, easy and nimble out of the saddle, while remaining accessible to almost all levels of riders thanks to a carefully balanced weight-to-stiffness ratio in its design. It is undoubtedly a great success, demonstrating all the know-how of Origine’s engineers, even if the bike as it is, in our opinion, is not a pure competition bike.

Technical Innovations: A Revolutionary Triptych

At the heart of the Axxome RR’s manufacturing, three major advancements redefine performance standards for Origine:

• The choice of Toray M40X carbon fiber, one of the highest-end available to manufacturers, which is 14% lighter than the fiber used on the Axxome GTR, without compromising durability.
• Redesigned carbon layups to optimize stress distribution, which increases lateral stiffness by 6% compared to the GTR, according to the brand.
• An innovative EPS (expanded polystyrene foam) molding process that offers a finer and more precise internal architecture, reducing superfluous resin areas to minimize frame weight without weakening it.

No surprise here, as Origine adopts the same optimization techniques for high-end models as the most prestigious brands. It’s simply the first time the French firm has gone this far. The result is a very light frame that retains the Axxome model’s DNA: a classic and timeless design, geometry with a slightly raised cockpit to remain accessible to many types of riders, and versatile handling. In terms of comfort, the Axxome RR is a bit harsher on the road with a lighter and slightly stiffer frame than the GTR, with a tendency to bounce a bit more on poor surfaces, but it is not stiff by any means. And most importantly, it is compatible with tires up to 35 mm in width, which allows it to adapt to light gravel or at least rough asphalt, while excelling on hilly and mountainous roads.

Fully configurable

Like all bikes in the Origine range, the Axxome RR is painted and assembled in France. Thus, thanks to the configurator on the brand’s website, the bike can be customized in multiple ways, whether for colors or equipment. Starting from €8100 and up to approximately €10,520 with a SRAM Red groupset, new prototype Prymahl wheels weighing 1,295g with carbon spokes (which we will tell you more about later), the bike weighs 6.56kg in size M. It is even possible to request a THM Clavicula carbon crankset, as for this test bike, to save about 200g while lightening your wallet by an additional €1500. Frankly, given the price of the option and the constraints related to the fragility of this type of material, we do not recommend it.

Overall, the bike’s price is substantial but remains significantly lower than many competing bikes that are as light on the scale. Beyond an exclusive setup designed to be among the leading lightweight bikes, the Axxome RR is a balanced bike that retains the basic qualities of the GTR. While it is a bit more exclusive than the model it is derived from and slightly less comfortable, it presents itself as an ideal machine to make you feel like you have wings in the mountains. This very high-end equipment only adds to the overall performance pleasure of the bike, designed here to reach the summits both literally and figuratively.

On the road: stiff, but not too much

When you get on the Origine Axxome RR, its character is immediately revealed. Thanks to its featherlight weight, this bike proves lively and light on acceleration, offering very engaging responsiveness from the first pedal strokes. Out of the saddle, it provides a unique feeling of lightness, as if it almost disappears between your legs during changes of pace, which facilitates explosive accelerations on demanding courses.

On climbs, particularly when tackling steep gradients, the Axxome RR excels. Its excellent weight-to-stiffness ratio allows for easy climbing, with every pedal stroke transformed into efficient propulsion. The 46/33 chainrings, clearly geared for the mountains, reinforce its ability to conquer the steepest passes. However, this configuration can limit versatility on flat courses where larger gear ratios are needed, whether for riding fast against the wind or for sprinting.

The non-specifically aerodynamic tubes also limit performance on only slightly hilly courses, where a more aerodynamic bike could have an advantage. With the equipment of this test model, the bike also seems to lack a bit of inertia, which is not an advantage for easily maintaining a cruising speed above 40 km/h on long straight sections. The Axxome RR therefore finds its preferred terrain in very mountainous courses or at least those that require frequent changes of pace, as its lightness and overall efficiency work wonders.

On descents and at high speeds, the Axxome RR displays good overall balance. It remains stable and predictable, even on technical roads, offering appreciable confidence. The frame, stiff without excess, offers a good compromise between performance and comfort. It transmits power efficiently but is not as demanding as a pure race bike. Seated on the saddle, no floating sensation is felt even when pedaling hard. But out of the saddle, the machine seems to show a little more elasticity, which allows for fairly easy acceleration without hitting the stiffness limit of the frame.

Compared to the Axxome GTR, comfort is slightly reduced, particularly due to the test bike’s carbon saddle, which is especially rigid. The use of wider tires (up to 35 mm, compatible with the frame) could mitigate this sensation and improve comfort on long rides or damaged roads. On the other hand, in terms of geometry, the raised position induced by the head tube and the ergonomic cockpit favors a comfortable posture for long rides. The Origine Axxome RR is not positioned as a pure aerodynamic competition bike, but rather as an ideal ally for lovers of long climbs and high mountain challenges.

A born climber, versatile but specialized

The Origine Axxome RR is a machine built for lovers of mountain passes and demanding courses. Its lightness, responsiveness, and weight-to-stiffness ratio make it a formidable ally for the steepest climbs, while remaining accessible to a wide range of riders thanks to its comfortable geometry and fairly easy handling. Less at ease when it comes to riding fast on the flats or on fast courses that require advanced aerodynamics, it shines with its balance and versatility for long mountain rides. With advanced customization through the Origine configurator and a competitive price for such a light bike, the Axxome RR is a choice option for elevation hunters.

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