A versatile, high-performance cross-country bike designed for ultra-durability and greater affordability. Best in it’s class of straight-gauge Ti hardtails, the Verve offers performance enough for racers, but with great affordability. Its bomb-proof construction makes it an excellent choice for extra-abusive riders. Seven’s Integrity 325 straight-gauge titanium tubing provides enhanced durability and maximum stiffness.
It's a 29er, first of all. (Couldn't post this review in any other location. MTBR, may want to update the 29er category to include the Seven Cycles lineup.)
Seven's custom fit process insured the bike was bang on, in terms of geometry and fit. With the rigid fork, the bike climbs like a, well, like a Ti Seven with a rigid fork!
It's extremely responsive to rider input, and the weight of the intire package, with pedals, is 23lbs. The only variable, really, is the tire pressure.
The Ti isn't too harsh, nor to 'whippy'. The singlespeed set up, paired with the ti frame, makes for very low maintenance.
The guys at Seven did an excellent job, from the collaborative design process to the excellent welds, which resemble a stack of quarters around each joint. Its no exageration to say that the finished product approaches art.
It's a 29er, with all the benefits thereof. Riding it single speed, full rigid gives the outings a certain kind of purity. The biggest challenge, for me, are the rocket-fast descents over rocky terrain. Adjusting the tire pressure helps, but not eliminates, the abuse to the arms and shoulders.
Highly recommend this product to anyone in the market for a Ti frame.
Strengths: This bike fits me like a glove. Seven's custom fitting service was spot on. I am 5'8' tall, with a short (30') inseam and long arms (35' sleeves) so I have always felt either cramped or close to the top tube on standard frames (small, medium, 17' and 18'). My Seven Verve has a 13.5' seat tube. Yes, that is correct, 13.5'. The top tube is 23.5'. This geometry allows me to feel adequately stretched out in my upper body, while giving me plenty of standover clearance. Aside from the perfect fit, Seven delivered the frame exactly four weeks from the day my LBS sent in my measurements and riding characteristics. This lead time is significantly shorter than lead times quoted to me by other custom builders.
The bike rides like a dream -- stiff in the drivetrain (I specified a 10/10 on drivetrain stiffness), compliant vertically (I specified a 5/10 on vertical compliance), stable on descents (I specified a 4/10 on handling characteristic) and wicked fast (full bike weighs in at 20.4 lbs). Did I mention the lifetime frame warranty?
Weaknesses: spendy, but hey, this is a lifetime investment!
Bottom Line:
If you can afford it, go treat yourself to a Seven. I believe the quality is equal to or better than other custom builders, at a lead time that is THE shortest of all the custom builders.
