The 853 top and down tubes are triple-butted to place maximum material at the head tube weld for fatigue resistance. The tapered and ovalised top tube optimises both lateral stiffness and overall comfort. The XX44-compatible head tube is made from air-hardening Reynolds 631 and the diameter of this headtube also allows a wide top tube section to give us maximum lateral rigidity.

The heat-treated Cr-Mo seat stays are very slim and the asymmetric chainstay design gives room for 2.4” tyres and narrow Q-factor 2x10 drivetrains, or enough ring clearance to almost eliminate chain-suck issues with standard triple chainsets. The Latitude 853 frame may be about as good as steel hardtails get.