For fine cycling accoutrements, few heritage brands have more of a respected reputation than Berthoud Cycles. They’ve extended their range of saddles, panniers, fenders, and completely bespoke bicycles to include a new standardized model: the JM-19.

It might be a jejune nom de plume, but the JM-19 upholds the distinctly French tradition of Berthoud’s robust and stylish construction, designed specifically for the long-distance cyclist, with brevets in mind such as Paris-Brest-Paris.

Berthoud has offered custom frames for more than thirty years, but the JM-19 is a response to a younger and more demanding market — one that desires a fully handbuilt bicycle for a lower price, without the wait and hassle of a tailor-made frame.

Hitting a sweet spot between classic aesthetics and modern functionality, the JM-19 is a small-batch bike available in five different sizes with a standard and very acceptable component selection — even including the de rigeur handlebar bag.

Capitalizing on the access to terrain that 650b x 38 or 42 Compass tires afford, the JM-19 is ready to explore dusty back roads or even ride miles to the trailhead and carry on past the ‘Tarmac Ends’ sign.

The X-Pac handlebar bag is a particularly well-thought and integrated design, making use of a proprietary minimal black steel support and magnetic Fidlock attachment and closure points.

The disc brake-specific frame is constructed from Dedaccial Zero Uno steel tubing, with an eyeletted Reynolds 853 fork and 12mm thru-axles.  The paint is a burgundy red candy with a subtle logotype on the down tube and a brazed-on head badge.   

It’s also available as a frame and fork set but as a complete, the JM-19 comes with a SRAM Rival 2×11 transmission, and 11-32 cassette, and a Praxis Alba 48×32 crankset — only because SRAM decided not to supply France with a 48×32 crankset.

Other parts include a Ritchey Comp 4 stem and seat post, a Cane Creek 1 “1/8 headset, Hope RS4 Centerlock Rear Hub and a SON Delux 12 Centerlock hub at the front, powering a SON Edelux II headlight and rear light.

Naturally, the handlebar tape and titanium-railed leather saddle are supplied by Berthoud, providing a contrast to the lust-worthy red frame, and matching the 38mm gum wall Compass Loup Loup Pass tires perfectly.

There’re also steel King bottle cages on there. The wheels are strong enough: DT Swiss XR331 rims laced to DT Comp spokes. All in all, it’s a tidy unit that ticks all of our boxes, right down to the SON tail light.

It’s actually a bargain for a €5,000 pricepoint. Berthoud’s Clement just rode it for ‘La Resistance‘ a couple of weeks ago — 130km with 3000+m of elevation near Annecy, with 40kms of mountain trails and gravel roads, and he came out simling.

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