The early aero gravel race bikes got a fundamental wrong. Although aerodynamics matter, even at low speeds, they shouldn't be the overruling element of a balanced design. But the over-emphasis of aero, with deep, stiff tube shapes, narrow bars and unforgiving ride positions made these bikes a handful.
Bikes such as the original BMC Kaius and Factor Ostro Gravel were blisteringly fast when the conditions underneath allowed, but introduce rocks, roots, and tight corners and they couldn't cope.
Factor and BMC aren’t alone here. Many racy gravel bikes are still trying to find their place. As I’ve mentioned before, lightweight racy gravel bikes are simply updated cyclocross bikes, or they lean heavily into aerodynamics.
Great everywhere?
Factor and BMC aren’t alone in creating bikes that are fast but struggle on rougher stuff. Many of the best gravel race bikes are still trying to find their place.
However, now we have far superior bikes that encompass aero, while balancing it with smoother rides, better ride positions, generous tyre clearances and keener handling.
The 3T Racemax Italia gets the balance just about right. If you want something a bit more tech-terrain optimised, you can dial down the aero and up the comfort with the brand's similar Extrema Italia.
Cervélo’s Áspero 5 is a blisteringly fast gravel bike, but not for all gravel – Cervélo has the Áspero for that.
The single best aero-gravel option I’ve ridden thus far is Willier’s stunning Rave SLR ID2. Any brands looking for inspiration on how to combine aero optimisation with off-road handling chops should look no further.
Even with the few standouts in the bubbling-under aero-gravel space, it’s the new generation of all-rounders that are light enough to race, yet capable enough to handle technical trails I’m excited by.
These great designs enable you to push further into off-road riding than traditional gravel trails. Bikes such as Parlee’s Taos, Giant’s Revolt Advanced, Argon 18’s superb new iteration of the Dark Matter, and not forgetting forward-thinking gravel designs such as the Mondraker Arid Carbon RR.
These bikes all combine aero design details such as integrated hose routing and cockpits, along with aero tube profiles, leading to a great ride everywhere.
New aero gravel is coming
Many of the first wave of aero gravel bikes are coming to the end of their retail window. In fact, we spotted a new bike from Factor at The Traka, which looks to be a new aerodynamic Ostro Gravel.
BMC has also just announced a new Kaius, and I like what I’ve seen. The updated geometry should maintain the bike’s racy edge, but make it less of a handful in the rough. It has also got more practical features and generous tyre clearances.
Canyon needs to refresh its aero and race offering, too. It broke cover with new big-tyre ready gravel race bikes at The Traka. I’m sure we’ll be getting more information and launch dates soon.
Argon 18 made a splash with the new Dark Matter, which hits the highest notes of the gravel all-rounders. The new Argon 18 Anti Matter looks to be an exciting bike, blending off-road geometry and big tyre clearances, all wrapped up with the aero lessons learned from the Nitrogen Pro.
This week, I was also lucky enough to get an exclusive ride on a new unreleased Ridley Speed Shop aero gravel bike on a trip to Belgian Cycling Factory. It’s everything a gravel race bike should be. The progressive geometry makes you feel more planted on the bike and the steering feel is more akin to an adventurous gravel machine, yet a short back end (425mm) gives it a racy feel. It also has room for enormous 58mm gravel tyres.
The bike isn’t set to launch until September, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the final version. That's not something I would have said about aero gravel bikes this time last year.
