Jesse Carlson’s Trans America Victory on the Belgie
Ten years ago, a titanium prototype rolled across the United States and straight into ultra-endurance cycling history. In 2015, Curve Cycling co-founderJesse Carlson lined up at the start of the Trans Am Bike Race, a 6,729-kilometre, self-supported test of physical and mental endurance stretching from the Pacific Northwest to the Atlantic Ocean.
Jesse wasn’t just racing for himself, he was testing something new. That bike was the Belgie, a titanium all-rounder designed to handle anything from fast group rides to unsupported bikepacking epics. Built in the spirit of “no shit products,” the Belgie was tested on the road. For real.
Jesse went on to win the 2015 Trans Am, facing injury, illness, and even tornadoes along the way. In doing so, he proved that Curve's belief in titanium, simplicity, and real-world durability wasn’t just marketing, it was the truth. In 2025, we celebrate 10 years since that iconic win, and the birth of a bike that changed the way we think about long distance riding.
The Trans Am Route
The Race That Made the Bike
Curve have always believed in building products that could go the distance. But in 2015, the Belgie was still a concept—a bold idea that titanium could offer the comfort, resilience and dependability that ultra-endurance riders need - absolutely.
So we sent our co-founder, freshly equipped with the first Belgie prototype, to race across the US. No backup. No mechanics. No shortcuts.
The result?
6,800 kilometres. Under 19 days. A win. A legend born.
Jesse’s victory wasn’t just a result, it was validation. It proved that titanium wasn’t just beautiful, it was functional. That race bikes could be comfortable. That adventure and performance weren’t mutually exclusive.
What Happened Next
That win launched not just a bike, but an entire legacy. Over the past decade, the Belgie platform has evolved but it’s never lost its soul. The Belgie DISC, Belgie ULTRA, and Air Belgie have become the go-to choice for riders who want to go far, fast, and without compromise.
Legendary Riders. Unstoppable Stories.
Kristof Allegaert, a titan of ultra racing, has spent the better part of a decade on a Belgie DISC.
Abdullah Zeinab has rewritten the record books on the Belgie ULTRA, dominating the Indian Pacific Wheel Race and the Trans Am, and gunning for the final jewel in the crown at this year’s Transcontinental.
Alby, riding one of our earliest Belgie frames, raced the Australian Nationals and was a regular contender out Melbourne's infamous Teardrop crits.
Even Curve’s own sales director has ridden the Belgie ULTRA across the USA and Australia, again and again.
From city streets to global endurance races, the Belgie hasn’t just survived—it’s thrived.
Why Titanium?
You’ve heard it before—but here’s why titanium still matters, 10 years on:
- It doesn’t corrode. Whether it’s 3 months old or 3 years, it looks (and rides) like day one.
- It’s endlessly comfortable. It flexes just enough to take the sting out of rough roads, while still offering snappy handling and long-term reliability.
- It’s incredibly durable. One bike. For life.
And in a world of planned obsolescence, that’s not just rare, it’s radical.
The Belgie ULTRA: Born for the Big Ones
As the Belgie family evolved, so did its features. The Belgie ULTRA brings everything we learned on the road into a platform built for even longer hauls:
- Wider tyre clearance for mixed terrain
- More upright geometry for ultra comfort
- Bento box mounts for top-tube bag integration
- A huge size range including hard-to-find in-between options
If you’re staring down the barrel of a 5,000-kilometre route, this is the bike you want under you.
10 Years Later, Still Leading the Way.
This year isn’t just the Belgie DISC’s 10th birthday. It’s the anniversary of a moment that defined Curve’s philosophy: race it to test it, and never build something you wouldn’t trust your own body on. Ten years later, that philosophy still guides us. Ten years later, that very first Belgie is still at HQ.
To Jesse, to the Trans Am, and to everyone who’s ever ridden further than they thought possible, cheers. Here’s to the next ten!
Words by Bob Barrett