Custom Elves Falath EXP Sport Build in London: Ben's Stuntman Edition

You might recognise Ben from our 2023 advert, running through London with a bike on his back. That was the old Ben. This is his upgrade: a fully custom Elves Falath EXP Sport, built from scratch at Aztecs Bikes in Bow, East London, spec'd around his body, his riding style, and his roads.

At Aztecs Bikes, we believe your bike should be an extension of you, not just something you picked off a shelf. Ben's build is exactly what that looks like in practice.

🚵 The Challenge: Moving Beyond "Stock"

After losing his previous bike, Ben knew exactly what he didn't want. Having ridden two previous bikes with standard stock configurations, he felt limited.

"I really wanted my next bike to have customisable components," Ben explained. "Working through the specs with Marco was great. I was keen to try a narrower set of bars and specific crank lengths that just aren't available as stock from other brands."

With big brands like Trek, Specialized, and Canyon, you're largely locked into stock configurations. Handlebar widths, crank lengths, cockpit setup — these are either fixed or require expensive aftermarket changes. With an Elves custom build at Aztecs, those decisions happen before the bike is even assembled.

⚙️ The Build Specs: Performance Meets Aesthetics

We didn't just assemble parts; we curated a performance package designed for London's roads and Ben's specific riding style:

• Frame: Elves Falath EXP Sport (Featuring a stunning custom paint job).
• Groupset: Full Shimano 105 Di2. Moving to electronic shifting means no more internal cables to stretch or rattle. It provides a smooth, crisp, and incredibly accurate shifting experience every time you click.
• Cranks: 165mm (Customised for better power delivery and ergonomics).
• Wheelset: OROME Valar BH56D Carbon. These wheels make their presence known; the freehub is loud, sounding like a swarm of angry bees when coasting.
• Cockpit: AeroEvo One Piece Carbon Handlebar (380mm for a narrower, more aerodynamic profile).
• Saddle: Selle Italia Model X Boost Flow.

🔧 The Mechanic's Touch: Precision Engineering

At Aztecs Bikes, the build starts long before the first bolt is tightened. For Ben's Elves, we went the extra mile to ensure the details were perfect.

While the OROME wheels are high-performance, they didn't come tubeless-ready out of the box. We meticulously fitted the tubeless tape and valves in-house, ensuring Ben had a leak-proof, modern setup from day one. We also used Ben's previous bike fit references to maximise the new setup. By analysing his history and goals, we ensured that from the very first pedal stroke, the bike felt like it was made for him — because it was.

"As I'd previously had a bike fit, I could send all the measurements to Marco for him to adjust during the build so it was ready to go straight away," says Ben. "With previous bikes, I've been reliant on trial and error... this was completely avoided this time around."

✨ Why Elves and Not a Big Brand?

Ben had ridden big brand bikes before. The switch to Elves wasn't just about the frame — it was about what the whole experience felt like:

• 🎨 Free Custom Paint: Ben opted for a unique design that makes his Falath EXP truly one-of-a-kind. No extra cost, no compromise.
• 📐 Real Customisation: Not just colour — actual geometry choices. Specific handlebar widths and crank lengths that simply aren't available off the shelf with Trek or Specialized.
• ⚡ Distinctive Design: Ben loves the aggressive geometry, specifically the wider forks and the unique seat top tube junction that gives the bike its "fast" look.
• 🛠️ Parts You Can Actually Get: After waiting weeks for proprietary parts from big brands, Ben appreciated that Elves components are accessible and replaceable without the wait or the inflated price tag.

Ready for Your Own Custom Elves Build in London?

Whether you're after an aero road machine like the Elves Falath EXP, a lightweight climber, or a gravel race bike, we build every Elves to order at our workshop in Bow, East London. Don't settle for stock. Get the fit, the look, and the performance you deserve.

Explore the full Elves Bikes range at Aztecs — road, gravel, triathlon, and climbing builds all available.

💡 Did you know? You can spread the cost of your custom Elves build through a Cycle to Work scheme and save up to 49%.

👉 Explore Elves Custom Builds
👉 Book a Consultation with Marco

Visit Aztecs Bikes in London today or contact us to start your dream build.