- Review -
- Welham Pro XL -

Well, to get this story started, I was in the market for a new frame and was considering a few options.  In this day and age, frames are made all over the world, by a variety of companies and each one seems to have their own little gimmick that makes their frames a little "better."

So, my search led me to Welham's Pro XL race frame.  I decided on the Welham for a few reasons.  First of all, the frames are welded right here in the U.S.A. which is becoming more and more rare as companies become more apt to send production overseas.  Second of all, Welham uses good old fashioned 4130 heat treated chromoly tubing.  And finally, the weld quality and U.S.A. craftsmanship are second to none. 

So, I called up the guys down at Welham bikes and placed my order.  After a few days, the bike arrived and it looked great.  The welds are awesome and so is the paint and decals.  Now, all I have to do is build it up and report on the ride. 

Steve, the owner of Welham then informed me that the frame was a special "Team Edition" produced to be tested for it's new geometry. 

The new Pro XL geometry is as follows:
Top Tube: 21.25
Head Angle: 74.5
Seat Angle: 71
Chain Stay: 15"
Weight: 4.6 lbs

So, here is the build up, check it out and let me, or more importantly, the guys over at Welham bikes know what you think.

Here are some pictures of the frame before the build.  I pulled it out of the box in my driveway and decided to take a few shots.  Check them out. 

I really like the decals on the frame.  Straight up, nothing too crazy.  They give the frame a really nice, clean finished look. 

Another shot of the frame. 

Super clean bottom bracket with awesome welds to bring it all together. 

The rear end on this thing is as straight as they get.  No tires hitting the chain stays on this one. 

To check out how to get your very own Welham frame click on the banner below. 

There is no better head tube badge on the market than what Welham does.  Check this thing out!  Straight up welded on.  No sticky tape or glue here.  Just metal.

The headset went in super smooth.  No roughness or any issues there.  The quality and craftsmanship made this bike a quick build with no headaches. 

The bottom bracket on this bike also went in really smooth.  Just spin the torque wrench a few times and you're done. 

Here it is nearly complete.  Just needs some pedals, a seatpost and a seat and it will be set to ride. 

So, after building the bike up, I took it out and tried it out, just to make sure everything matched up alright.  The bike accelerated awesome while doing some sprints.  The bike also weighed in at a slim 23 pounds.  The ride is awesome, the rear end is the perfect length, it really allows you to bring the front end up without a lot of effort.  Overall, hopping on the bike for the first time it felt very comfortable.

Anybody interested is more than welcome to check it out at the National in Egg Harbor this coming weekend.