Strael 4.0
All Road
Our flagship model, the bike that started it all, ridden to two victories of the Transcontinental Race. The Strael is our ‘All-Road’ bike. Designed for year-round riding in all conditions.
The Strael blends the performance of a steel race bike with the comfort and utility of an endurance bike. It’s fast, efficient, and offers incredible comfort. The handling is confidence-inspiring, whether descending or cornering at speed.
This frame is the culmination of a 2 year collaboration with Reynolds Technology. New tooling created from scratch. Making an entirely new tube set for this frame: ‘853 Road DZB’. Resulting in a lighter and stronger frame.
It’s a fantastic product that showcases what is possible with the material, while offering unrivalled functionality and detailing.
“The closest bike to perfection I have ever ridden.” – Stu Kerton – Senior Product Reviewer – Road.cc – 5 STARS – June 2025.
“It’s a perfect bike.” – Will Jones – Senior Tech Writer – Cycling News – 5 STARS – September 2025.
“The Strael 4.0 is in a class of one.” – Ashley Quinlan – Road Tech Lead – Bike Radar – 5 STARS – November 2025.
Strael 4.0 Features
All-Road Versatility
The Strael is our All-Road bike, designed for year-round riding on tarmac in all conditions. The Strael 4.0 showcases the potential of steel, offering unmatched functionality, future-proofing, and meticulous attention to detail.
Reynolds 853 Road DZB Tubing – Developed for Fairlight
A new variation of Reynolds 853 with custom butting profiles, designed specifically for All-Road riding. Using Double Zonal Butting (DZB), this tube set delivers optimal strength and compliance.
Strength in Collaboration
Creating the Strael 4.0 required expert craft knowledge, and we’ve worked closely with leading specialists to bring this bike to life. It’s a true collaboration of design and engineering.
Generous Tyre Clearance
With clearance for up to 39mm tyres, the Strael 4.0 lets you ride comfortably on wet, slippery, or rough roads. On a dry summer day, it’s also ready for a stretch of hard-packed farm track, linking your favorite lanes.
Flat-Ovalized Rear Triangle
The rear triangle of the Strael 4.0 is heavily formed, with both the chainstays and seatstays flat-ovalized in the centre. This design increases displacement (compliance) under load, while also enhancing resistance to pedaling forces.
Fairlight x Bentley Mk3 Dropouts
For the Mk III version, we have introduced a CNC’d removable cable stop. This makes each build type specific. Whether, running mechanical, Di2 or AXS gearing, the frame looks designed specifically for it. Direct mount, standard hanger and T-Type inserts available.
Full Dynamo Compatibility
We’ve carefully designed internal routing for full dynamo compatibility.
Super-clean dynamo installations. Our custom CNC machined rear light mount adds beauty and functionality.
Hand-Painted, Mid-Century Inspired Graphics
Frames are phosphate-dipped and ED-coated for corrosion protection, then individually hand-painted. Multiple layers of high-quality wet paint feature a mid-century inspired top tube pattern—contemporary, bold, and graphic.
Anraed 4.0 Fork
Designed from the ground up and made specifically for the Strael. The new leg shape and lay-up provide approximately 10% more compliance compared to the Anraed 3.0, with matching tyre clearance to the frame.
SRAM Transmission Compatible
Our modular drop-out ensures full compatibility with SRAM’s new T-Type rear mech systems.
Modular Design Solutions – Future-Proof Your Investment
All of the parts fitted to your frameset are modular and swappable.
The benefit of a modular design solution is that we do not have to align ourselves to any particular brand or standard. As new standards are developed in the future, we can produce parts that meet those new designs. We aim to future-proof your investment.
Craftsmanship Inside and Out
High quality welds and brazing throughout.
The fillet brazed dropouts are hand filed to give a seamless transition between the tubing and dropout plate. Techniques reserved for the custom world.
We partner with the highest-quality frame builders in Taiwan. Masters of their trade.
Dropout inserts and hose clips are CNC machined.
External Cable Routing
We proudly keep cables and hoses on the outside. A 3D-printed bottom bracket cable guide serves multiple functions: guiding the front and rear derailleur cables, the brake hose, and the dynamo rear light wire. CNC-machined brake hose clips are designed in-house for elegance and lightness.
Ready for the Long Haul
The frame features three sets of bottle mounts, including cage mounts on the underside of the downtube for cargo cages. It’s rear rack-compatible, and both the frame and fork accept mudguards (up to 35mm tyre clearance).
Detailed Design Notes
The best way to learn about the Strael 4.0 is to read the detailed design notes. They speak to the care and thoughtful consideration we put into designing and manufacturing our products
Build Options
A summary of our base spec build options and pricing. All bikes are fully configurable. Upgrades include Hope or Chris King headsets, SON dynamo installations, alternative wheels (Hunt, Hope & DT Swiss), alternative tyre options and even King Cage bottle cages. Every bike is assembled from start to finish by a single mechanic and built just for you.
Strael 4.0 Build Gallery
56R Stealth - Dura Ace Di2. 18 photos.
56R Monochrome - 105 Di2. 23 photos.
54T Ochre - 105 Custom. 24 photos.
54T Pearlescent Blue - DuraAce. 25 photos.
58R Ochre - Ultegra Di2. 17 photos.
54R Stealth - Rival AXS - Custom Build. 25 photos.
58R Ochre - TCR Bike - Marin St Exupery. 11 photos.
Strael 4.0 56R Stealth - Review Bike - Cycling News. 24 photos.
Strael 4.0 54T Stealth - Force XPLR 1x13. 17 photos.
Strael 4.0 58T Pearlescent Blue - Force AXS 2x12. 21 photos.
Strael 4.0 Frameset Gallery
Lookbooks
Alex McCormack - World Record
Strael 4.0 Stealth Lookbook
Strael 4.0 Ochre Lookbook
Strael 4.0 Pearlescent Blue Lookbook
Strael 4.0 Monochrome Lookbook
Proportional Geometry
Better fitting bikes
All Fairlight bikes have been thoughtfully conceived with the rider in mind. Everybody is different; our bikes are designed to account for differences in body proportions, not just overall height. We call this ‘proportional geometry’. We offer all of our frame sizes in (R)egular and (T)all versions so that you can achieve your perfect fit.
R – Regular
Lower at the front and longer in reach. Designed for people with shorter legs and a longer back but just as suitable for riders wanting a lower and racier riding position.
T – Tall
Higher at the front and shorter in reach. Designed for people with longer legs and a shorter back but also appropriate for riders who want a more upright riding position.
| A | Top Tube Horizontal | 533 mm |
|---|---|---|
| B | Seat Tube (BB to top ST) | 510 mm |
| C | Seat Tube Angle | 74 ° |
| D | Head Tube Angle | 71.5 ° |
| E | Chainstay Length | 419 mm |
| F | Fork Rake | 45 mm |
| G | Wheelbase | 992 mm |
| H | Trail - 700 x 32 Tyres | 68 mm |
| I | Bottom Bracket Drop | 74 mm |
| J | Front Center Distance | 585 mm |
| K | Head Tube Length | 106 mm |
| L | Stack | 530 mm |
| M | Reach | 380 mm |
| N | Standover Height (32mm tyres) @ 65mm forward of BB | 758 mm |
| Fork Length - Axle to Crown | 381 mm |
Reviews & Awards
Road.cc - 5 Stars - "My only concern reviewing this Strael 4.0 is that our scoring only goes up to ten...... The closest bike to perfection I've ever ridden…"
Cycling News - 5 Stars - "the Fairlight Strael 4.0 is so close to perfect I'm just going to go ahead and call it as such; it's a perfect bike."
Cyclist Magazine - 5 Stars - "In short, it is a best-of-both-worlds bike that meets the needs of the everyday rider far better than a WorldTour racer and will probably be more fulfilling to own as well."
Bike Radar - 5 Stars - "The Fairlight Strael 4.0 is astoundingly good – it’s the best steel road bike on sale...it's in a class of one."
Cycling Weekly - 5 Stars - "With much reflection it’s still hard to imagine where it could be improved.. Certainly a bike for the long haul. Quite possibly one for the ages too."
Cycling News Awards - Road Bike Group Test - EDITOR'S CHOICE - "The closest we could get to choosing an overall winner was when we all agreed that if we all had to buy one of the bikes..."
Road.cc - OVERALL BIKE OF THE YEAR 2021/22 - "We debated it at length among our team of reviewers before concluding that the Fairlight Strael 3.0 should come out on top."
Bike Radar Podcast - DREAM BIKE - Bike Radar ‘Senior Technical Editor’ Ashley Quinlan picks his personal Strael 3.0 as one of his three money-no-object dream bikes..."absolutely fantastic..."
Just Ride Bikes - Watch Dave's in-depth rider video review..."I love a good steel road bike and this is probably the BEST I've ever ridden."
Information
Frame Bag Guide
If you are planning on fitting a frame bag to your Strael then you can use the below guide sheet to get all the dimensions you need. It includes all front triangle inside measurements and angles, as well as downtube safe zones for straps for full frame bags.
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