RBA Test: Ceepo Mamba
Back in 1990, Nobuyuki (‘Joe’) Tanaka fell in love with the sport of triathlon and, three years later, having been dissatisfied with the current crop of bikes on the market, he completed building his very first aluminum, triathlon-specific frame. But it wasn’t until 2003 when Tanaka began exploring the world of carbon fiber that his Ceepo brand finally emerged in Aichi, Japan. Today, Ceepo is a major player in the world of triathlon and is even an official bike partner of Ironman. Ceepo’s designs have long been a standout in the tri community, and now the brand is venturing into the world of road bikes. Aside from road duties, the Mamba is also intended to be raced in draft-legal tri events, where aero extensions are shunned, and it’s UCI-compliant to boot.
THE FRAME
Ceepo triathlon bikes are easily recognized, thanks to their unique combination of curvy tube shapes and sharp points near the tube junctions. The monocoque Mamba frame is made from high-modulus carbon fiber, and it retains much of Ceepo’s design DNA, with a teardrop-shaped downtube and a cutaway seat tube. Likewise, straight seatstays are set low along the seat tube, and the oval chainstays thin toward the rear dropouts. A full-carbon fork is wide at the crown but tapers down to thin blades at the dropouts, and the Mamba runs with full internal cable routing. Without a doubt, the frame’s most distinctive feature is the scallop-shaped protrusion jutting out from the front of the head tube. Ceepo claims that this adds some degree of aerodynamic enhancement, something we’re unable to confirm without the use of a wind tunnel.
Speaking of details, we didn’t spare too much thought for the Mamba’s simple graphics package, until we realized that it hides a secret. Because a proper bike fit is paramount to any performance bike, Ceepo ensured that the Mamba would be easy for the rider (or fit specialist) to adjust the various components with the help of specifically placed red cross-hair graphics that help serve as measuring points at the Mamba’s various tube junctions. We found the top tube-mounted crosshair graphic, which indicates the bottom bracket center and makes saddle setback adjustment a cinch, particularly handy. The frame’s top tube measurement is written on both sides of the seat tube junction for easy reference, as is the (75 degree!) seat-angle number, which is written on the non-drive-side bottom bracket shell.
The one graphic that really caught our eye was the one that read ‘triathlon specific geometry’-strange to find on a road bike, until you recall that the Mamba is as much a road bike as it is a draft legal triathlon bike.
THE PARTS
Ceepo bikes are available in North America through Stage Race Distribution and can be ordered as framesets from Stage Race directly, while complete builds can be ordered through dealers. Stage Race built our test Mamba with a mixed drivetrain consisting of Shimano Ultegra shifters and derailleurs and an FSA K-Force Light crankset. FSA also provided a carbon K-Force 31.8mm seatpost and matching K-Force saddle, as well as a one-piece carbon Plasma handlebar stem. Our test bike was also outfitted with a set of Austrian-made Xentis carbon tubular Squad 4.2 wheels mounted with Continental Sprint tires.
THE RIDE
As a rule, triathlon bikes tend to place a much larger premium on aerodynamics rather than compliance, and Ceepo has carried over this philosophy to the Mamba. That’s not to say that the Mamba lacks compliance, but an endurance road bike it’s not. Additionally, perhaps due to the triathlon-specific geometry, the Mamba’s steering isn’t what we would describe as ‘light,’ nor was the front end particularly keen at damping road vibrations and impacts. Test riders who enjoy an agile bike capable of handling fast, technical descents were left a bit wanting with the Mamba, while others who prefer heavier steering with a more stable feel came away more than satisfied.
THE VERDICT
The Mamba is a unique bike that garnered plenty of attention wherever we took it. But beyond its sharp looks is a bike that should satisfy most riders, particularly those who appreciate stable handling and a reasonably stiff ride. And with a set of clip-on aero bars (and even without), the Mamba would also make a great platform for anyone looking to compete in their first triathlon. It’s not a bike we’d recommend to someone shopping for a pure endurance road bike, but unless you’re planning on frequenting rough or gravel roads on your four- to five-hour adventure rides, then the Mamba is a fine choice that boasts a little extra exclusivity on the group ride.
PUNCH LINES
? Stiff ride and confident handling
? Graphics are all about fit
? Not just for triathletes
STATS
Price: $1500 (frameset); $5499 (as tested)
Weight: 15.8 pounds
Sizes: Small, Medium (tested), Large, X-large
For more info: Ceepo OR
For More info: Stage Race
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