Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
Late last week, Crust Bikes soft-launched one of its new models by selling two production samples. Dubbed the Romance Is Dead, it’s a lug-less version of one of their marquee models, the Romanceür. For more on this new monster gravel bike, read on below…
The Crust Romanceür, or more commonly Romeo, is one of the brand’s most recognizable models. Made in conjunction with Ronnie Romance, it features light tubing, a level top tube, classic lugs, and ample 27.5″ tire clearance. Alas, Crust is revamping the Romanceür for the modern era with a new TIG-welded version. Ditching the lugs, level top tube, and threaded head tube, the new Crust Romance Is Dead takes the same geometry and tubing from the original and packages it into a slightly more approachable bike.
Though it has yet to be officially released, Crust posted two complete production samples for sale late last week. As of writing, the 55cm model is still available, but it will likely move soon. Details aren’t official, but the new Romanceür seems to have retained the same 27.5 x 2.3″ tire clearance, pump peg on the rear side of the seat tube, and lugged fork. The listed completes were priced just under $4,000, and from what I’ve gathered, the Romance Is Dead will be more affordable than the Romanceür.
The Romanceür was always an intriguing bike, given both its designer and intention. The light tubing made for a lively ride but required care on the rough stuff that many people felt inclined to tackle with the original. With a new construction method and slightly tweaked design, the bike has undoubtedly lost some of its eclectic charm. It was one of a handful of modern designs that still used a threaded headset, and the rise of 32″ wheels seems to be pushing its 27.5″ wheels further into history. But perhaps this new model can breathe life into the fun ideas the original was based on.
For more on the Crust Romance Is Dead, visit CrustBikes.com.
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