The Bike Studio's Velduro Rogue custom build, piece by piece

Ben from The Bike Studio, Velduro's UK distributor, recently put together a Rogue build running the Avinox M2S motor, and it is one of the more complete examples of what a rider can do when they start with a Velduro Rogue frame and build out from there. Every part on this bike was chosen on purpose, and the result is a Rogue that looks and rides nothing like a stock build, while still being unmistakably a Rogue.

Here is what went into it, and what it tells us about building your own Rogue from the frame up.

Wheels, tyres and the front end

The build starts with a carbon Industry Nine wheelset on custom spokes, finished in bronze and black with a silver Hydra hub. They are wrapped in Cast tyres, a Pirelli collaboration, with the Protagonist up front and the Antagonist out back. It is a wheel and tyre combination built for riders who know exactly what they want from their contact points, which is the whole point of going frame-only in the first place.

Up front, the build runs a Podium fork. Ben mentioned it took some adjusting to get used to after running 36 and 38 forks previously, but once dialled in, the softer mid-stroke won him over, particularly for lighter riders. Heavier riders or those wanting more mid-stroke support might lean toward a 38 instead, which is exactly the kind of decision frame-only riders get to make for themselves.

Cockpit and controls

Kashima coated spacers sit on the steerer, paired with a Hope headset to match the bike's silver detailing. The bars are a Cast 38mm rise set, attached to a matching Cast stem. One detail worth calling out is how Cast components carry degree markings, which let Ben fine tune bar roll and brake lever position with real precision rather than guessing.

Braking comes from Hayes Dominion brakes, chosen for their light lever feel and consistent power. SDG grips round out the cockpit, with a palm indentation that adds a bit of extra cushioning on longer rides.

Drivetrain and suspension

The drivetrain runs fully wireless with SRAM XO AXS, including a wireless dropper lever on the left side controlling a Fox Neo 200mm dropper post. It is a setup that cleans up the cockpit significantly, even if it comes at a higher price point than a cabled equivalent.

Out back, the build pairs Forks 155mm cranks with a silver rocker link to match the rest of the bike's hardware, and a Fox X2 shock with a custom tune that Ben describes as having an almost coil-like feel. A Leki 34-tooth chainring adds another layer of customisation, and a CeramicSpeed carbon pulley cage rounds out the drivetrain, which Ben calls complete overkill, but a useful one given it carries a lifetime warranty.

The small stuff that makes it a dream build

It is the small details that turn a good build into a dream build. The Anomaly Switch Grade seatpost remote gets a mention for how it improves standover height on climbs and clears the seat out of the way on descents. The saddle is an SDG Bell Air in a Kevlar Cam Inc special edition with coloured stitching, and even the tubeless valves get an upgrade, with bronze Fast Flow PTS valves replacing the standard option.

There is even a Fidlock water bottle setup, with Ben noting that every bottle he has tried fits the frame cleanly in size large and extra large.

Sizing and geometry

Ben, at 182cm, runs a size large with 485mm of reach and a 440mm chainstay, and describes the bike as balanced and well suited to a mullet setup. The Rogue frame also supports a full 29-inch front and rear configuration, so riders can choose the wheel setup that suits how and where they ride.

What this build says about going frame-only

Builds like this are exactly why Velduro offers the Rogue as a frame-only option. The frame and the Avinox M2S motor stay the same, but everything else, wheels, brakes, suspension, drivetrain, even the small finishing details, is entirely up to the rider putting it together.

If you are weighing up a frame-only Rogue of your own, this build is a solid example of what is possible when you treat the frame as a starting point rather than a finished product. The Bike Studio can talk you through fit and build options as Velduro's UK distributor, or you can find your nearest Velduro dealer wherever you are.

For more reviews, builds and industry insight straight from the source, check out The Bike Studio's YouTube channel.