Yau Fei’s first Bastion was a Superleggera. His second is an Archtype.

On paper, the progression makes sense. From an exceptionally light frame to Bastion’s aero road platform. But the more interesting change was not simply the frame. It was Yau Fei's understanding of what makes a bicycle fast.

After years of riding different race bikes, he had come to value something more fundamental than weight or aerodynamic claims: a position he could sustain, geometry that worked with his body, and a bicycle that allowed him to concentrate on the road rather than the machine beneath him.

The Archtype gave him the opportunity to bring those lessons together in a bike built around him.

Yau Fei's first Superleggera was an off-the-shelf frame. It was exceptionally light and comfortable to ride, but the Archtype presented an opportunity to approach things differently.

Working with Fitskuul on the fitting, Yau Fei opted for custom geometry, with a higher stack and longer wheelbase tailored to his body and riding style.

The intention was straightforward: to have an aero road bike he could ride fast without compromising his ability to maintain a comfortable position over longer efforts.

For Yau Fei, this is where custom geometry makes its case. An aggressive riding position means little if it becomes difficult to maintain. The real advantage lies in finding a position that works for the rider, rather than forcing the rider to adapt to the frame.

As he puts it, the single most important specification is not weight or aerodynamics. It is how well the bike fits the riding position he wants to hold.

There is still room to refine things. Looking back, Yau Fei feels the Archtype's stack could be a little higher. But that, too, is part of understanding what works through experience. Knowing what to prioritise, and what to adjust next time.

If the geometry represented a new direction, the paintwork provided a link to the bicycle that came before it.

Choosing a colour for a Bastion can be a project in itself, with seemingly endless possibilities. Yau Fei took the familiar route, carrying over the colour direction from his Superleggera.

The result is a purple chameleon green finish that changes character with the viewing angle, with light revealing different qualities across its multiple layers of paint.

For Yau Fei, it was a detail worth bringing forward from his first Bastion. The colour gives the new Archtype a sense of continuity, even as the frame and geometry take him in a different direction.

The component choices follow the Archtype's performance-oriented brief without distracting from the frame itself.

SRAM RED AXS in a 1x configuration keeps the drivetrain clean and purposeful, while ENVE SES 4.5 Pro wheels complete the build. The Bastion integrated barstem and fork bring the front end together in a way that complements the frame's considered design.

The specification supports the overall direction: a modern aero road bike built around the position Yau Fei wants to hold and the way he wants to ride.

But the components are only part of the picture. The custom geometry and the details that make the bicycle his are what define this particular Archtype.

For Yau Fei, the appeal of a custom bicycle lies in the combination of craftsmanship, engineering, individuality and the experience of riding it.

The most satisfying moment comes once you are moving.

When a bicycle fits properly and responds as expected, attention shifts away from the machine itself. Instead of thinking about the frame beneath you or the components around you, you can focus on the road ahead.

That sense of connection is particularly meaningful in Singapore, where many riders share an appreciation for the same high-end race bikes. A custom build offers a different kind of satisfaction: the knowledge that the bicycle has been shaped around you, rather than simply selected from a catalogue.

For Yau Fei, owning a Bastion is also a privilege. There is pride in the brand, its craftsmanship and the opportunity to experience what it does differently.

The joy comes not just from owning something distinctive, but from riding something that feels like your own.

Having ridden numerous race frames, Yau Fei's advice to anyone considering a custom bicycle is to be patient.

He would not recommend making this kind of investment as a first or second bike. Time in the saddle helps you understand your natural riding position, preferences and style. These are the things that are difficult to determine from specifications alone.

It is worth experiencing different bicycles and accumulating the miles before deciding what you really need.

That perspective is reflected in his Archtype. The aero design was the initial attraction, but fit became the deciding consideration. The familiar paint connected it to his first Bastion, while the custom geometry gave him a new way to experience the brand.

The result is not simply another high-end race bike. It is the continuation of a relationship with a builder, informed by everything the first bicycle taught him.

When asked to sum up why he returned to Bastion, Yau Fei puts it simply: 

“A bike that is uniquely yours!”

The numbers matter, the engineering matters, and the details matter. But the best bicycle is the one that brings them together around the person who rides it.

Want a bike that unique to you? 

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