We think of our modality at Above Category as being one of pursuing the pinnacle of the cycling experience without sacrificing any performance. The Baum Corretto is a shining example of our core doctrine. Read more
In a world cluttered by ubiquitous carbon engineered for the mean average, we found the Corretto to offer the biggest contrast to the five-size bicycle industry norm. This is the frameset professional cyclists lust after when they retire, when they’re no longer constrained by sponsor obligations, carbon schedules, and frames built for common denominators. Don’t believe us? Just ask Cadel Evans.
Conceived on Australia’s Great Ocean Road and carefully assembled in Geelong by former aerospace engineer Darren Baum, the Corretto takes custom framebuilding to the absolute limit. Baum externally butts every single titanium tube on the Corretto. Every. Single. Tube. Not only does this shear as much weight as possible from the frameset, it also gives Baum the opportunity to tune the ride almost precisely to their individual specifications - for you. Depending on your input, we assist Baum with building the perfect frame for your weight, age, riding style, riding habits, and aspirations as a cyclist. Sprinter? Climber? Breakaway specialist? Fondo extraordinaire? It doesn’t particularly matter, Baum can dial in the exquisite ride of your frame for decades to come, but make no mistake, the Corretto is rooted in racing - this isn’t your dad’s custom Ti frame. Topping off the Corretto are scalloped chainstays, not just a trick look, but a performance boon as well, shaving weight and allowing Baum to tune the ride of the bike just so.
Attention to detail is Baum's other pillar, beyond just perfect welds at every tube junction. The paint is world-class, and like all other aspects of Baum's manufacturing process (from dropouts to headtubes), done completely in-house. Every logo and minute, intricate facet of the bike's patina is painted, with decals totally eschewed. The inside of the tubeset, an area no one save the builder will ever see, is perfectly clean. Even the bottom bracket threading is a work of precision art, with just enough perfectly-faced threads for a 68mm BSA bottom bracket - no more, no less.
We can confidently state that the Baum Corretto is the epitome of the individual cycling experience in a mass-produced world. The Corretto bare frame weight varies depending on rider specifications and size, but our house 55cm Corretto built for a 175lb male with a solid amount of power tips the scales at 1190g without headset. The Baum Corretto ships from Geelong with a Chris King headset, paint-matched 3T Arx Team stem (ENVE available), ENVE Seatpost, and fork (3T Funda or ENVE depending on geometry and sizing).
Above Category is Baum’s exclusive North American agent, and our experience with the Corretto is as deep as any you’ll find outside of the walls of Baum in Geelong. Get in touch with us if you have any questions about your next Baum build.
Whether you’re already set on a certain make and model of frame, or still have some questions about how to go about your build, drop us a line and we can talk through your options. From the first detail to the final finish, we'll help you dial in the perfect set up for your next dream bike.