Elves Falath Pro 2022 Build (Mathias)

In the spring of 2023, my son Mathias and I, Ole, embarked on a journey to explore the world of high-performance Chinese road bicycles equipped with state-of-the-art electronic group-sets and cutting-edge disk brakes. Up until then, we had been accustomed to riding bikes with mechanical group-sets and rim brakes.

Our initial research revealed that acquiring a bicycle from a renowned brand with the desired specifications came at a staggering cost. We looked into bike frame options from Winspace and Yoeleo, but even with these more affordable frames, the addition of high-profile carbon wheels and aero handlebars inflated the overall price. However, our search eventually led us to another Chinese brand that offered a compelling combination of affordability and quality: Elves Bikes.

Among the diverse range of frames that Elves Bikes had to offer, both Mathias and I were captivated by the Falath Pro 2022 (Link to website), which we believed would perfectly suit our needs. Opting for a comprehensive package, we chose the deal that included the aero-frame, 50mm carbon wheels, aero handlebars, and, naturally, an aero-seatpost. To make our bikes truly unique, we opted for a custom paint job. The design process went remarkably smoothly, fueling our anticipation to see the finished results in person. Our only task at this point was to await the arrival of our orders in Denmark, a process that was estimated to take between 6 to 8 weeks.

Initially, we contemplated equipping our new bikes with either the Shimano 105 DI2 12-speed or SRAM Force 12-speed group-sets. However, after careful consideration, we both made the decision to invest in the higher-tier Ultegra DI2 12-speed group-set, as we believed it would deliver a superior cycling experience. When it came to the tires, we unanimously selected the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR for optimal performance.

The Shimano Ultegra DI2 12 speed group-set

Build process (Mathias)

The build process was quite smooth, the worst parts was cable routing through the frame and the worst through the handlebars. But we had the advantage of semi-wireless shifting (no cables for the shifters other than the brake cables. The bottom bracket is BB86 press fit, so you will need tools for that. The included bottom bracket is not spinning very well, so buying a better one would be a good option. The paintjob on the frames is very impressive and cannot be reproduced on pictures, it looks fantastic in real life. The preparation on headtube, bottom bracket and brakes was very fine. The wheels are very light and beautiful, but the rear hub is extremely noisy. We gave the racket system some special grease from DT Swiss and it helped a little. The handlebars are also very sleek and good looking.
The verdict is that the frame/wheel, handlebar bundle is fantastic value for the money. Mathias has ridden a few rides on his and is very satisfied with the handling of the bike. I have only ridden a few 100 meters due to the bad weather in Denmark, but it feels just as stable and fine as my Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL5, so I am looking forward to riding some longer rides on it. Below you can see some pictures from the build process.
So our advice is: Go buy one, before it gets more expensive, it has the quality of much more expensive brands.
Ride on!

See bikes at Elves UK Website