Rene Herse x Kaisei Tubeset, Mule (OS down tube)

The tubeset for a bike with a stiffer feel, yet the flex characteristics of a superlight bike. The oversize down tube adds stiffness, but the standard-diameter top tube keeps the flex characteristics that make for a lively feel. This tubeset is ideal for riders who find the Superlight tubeset too flexible, or who want to carry a camping load on front low-rider racks.

Standard-diameter top tube with ultra-thin 0.7-0.4-0.7 mm for optimized flex characteristics. The down tube has 0.7-0.5-0.7 mm walls for higher resistance to dents. The main tubes are heat treated for ultimate strength and durability.

Kaisei makes the best steel tubing in the world, widely respected for its consistent quality and perfect roundness. Long reserved for the track bikes of Japan’s Keirin professionals (who race on steel bikes), Rene Herse offers Kaisei tubing in custom-drawn dimensions for modern allroad and randonneur bikes.

Each set includes:

• Standard-diameter top tube: ø 25.4 mm, long or short thinwall “belly”
• Oversize down tube: ø 31.8 mm, long or short thinwall “belly”
• Seat tube: ø 28.6 mm, for 27.2 mm seatpost, standard or long thinwall “belly”
• Head tube: standard or OS
• Seatstays: single taper
• Chainstays: 22.2 mm round, 0.7, 0.8, or 1.0 mm wall thickness, straight or curved (+$20)