Baum is of course an Australian brand of handmade bikes, manufactured in Geelong by framebuilder extraordinaire Darren Baum, but the Baum Corretto featured in today's Bikes of the Bunch made its way to Californian owner Jason via the Above Category bike shop Sausalito, just outside San Francisco. Jason wrote the following about why he chose this particular bike, how it rides, and more.







I came across Baum several years ago on the web. I had always wanted a bike that would be unique to me and also something that I could keep for many years to come. I have owned and ridden other Ti and carbon frames, but I knew that this frame would be a full custom frame. Add to that the amazing paint schemes they offer and I knew Baum was it. More importantly, my wife approved.

Funny and true story: while in the Above Category shop, I was looking to ‘settle’ with another Ti frame when my wife nudged and encouraged me to go for the Baum as she knew I would regret it later! Yes, I have the best wife ever.

In hindsight, the process of getting the frame built was actually great. Chad and Todd at Above Category were very helpful every step of the way. With a custom geometry I expressed my needs and concerns and we worked through the dimensions until it was good for me. Ordering a new bike can never be fast enough, but from the first shop visit to delivery was around four months.

I have to note regarding the paint: my (young) daughters always make their mark on my frames with stickers of their choice (usually Hello Kitty or something similar). I asked Chad about this and we worked with Baum to see what they could do instead of stickers. I sent them some artwork of what I was looking for and they were able to replicate the drawings on the top tube exactly as I wanted. Totally blown away. It has made the bike for me.

While visiting San Francisco and the Above Category shop, Todd Morton was very gracious and took me out for a ride and let me borrow his Parlee loaded with Campagnolo Super Record. It was actually my first ride with a Campagnolo groupset.

It turned out to be such a great ride and the performance left a lasting impression on me. More so, and speaking candidly, that groupset is just so sexy on a bike, and after looking at picture after picture, no other groupset looked right on a Baum. It worked out well that the new 2015 mechanical Super Record was to hit the shelves about the time my frame was to be ready. It was meant to be.

The build specs are as follows:

2015 Campagnolo Super Record 2015 mechanical groupset, 11-23 cassette and standard crankset gearing

Handbuilt wheels with Zipp 404 rims, White Industries T11 hubs, DT Swiss Aerolite spokes and Vittoria Open Corsa CX 23mm tires

fizik Arione R1 Carbon Braided Black saddle

fizik Handlebar Tape Microtex Black

King Cage Ti Baum Style

3T Rotundo LTD Handlebar 40cm

Time Xpresso 12 Titan Carbon Pedals

I had such high hopes for this bike – the fit, components and overall package. It has exceeded my expectations in all areas. The fit of a custom frame and the associated comfort level is what makes this bike. To throw a leg over this bike and knowingly be able to knock out a long ride without the compromise, it makes the money and time all worth it.