Gravel grinding or adventure road, whatever you like to call it, road bikes outfitted for gravel are certainly the hotness. Despite the new thing, they've matured quite rapidly and Why Cycle's R is proof of that.
Why Cycles hails from Ogden, Utah and offers three bikes: a 27.5in wheeled dirt jumper, a 27.5 hardtail and the gravel road R I have in for testing. Interestingly all three are crafted from titanium.
Why Cycles R frame features
- Headset: Integrated standard 42mm upper cup, 52mm lower cup
- Bottom bracket: Threaded 68mm BSA standard
- Axle spacing: 12mm x 142mm
- Dropouts: 12mm thru-axle, 1.75mm thread pitch, replaceable hanger
- Bottle mounts: Bottle mounts on seat tube, top of down tube, bottom of downtube. Third bottle hole mount on downtube for accessory mounting
- Rack mounts: All standard rack and fender mounts
- Seatpost: 31.6mm
- Seat clamp: 34.9mm
- Brake max: 160mm rear, direct mount standard
Gravel ready
The R ticks all the boxes for a road/cyclocross bike that's intended for the roads less paved. The swoopy, Taiwanese-made titanium frame is loaded with the proper details that show the guys at Why are paying attention.
- Getting started with gravel grinding
- The best gravel/adventure road bikes at NAHBS
- Three days of gravel riding in Utah
Rear tire clearance sits at a healthy 44mm for 700c wheels and 2.1in should you want to slip a 27.5in wheel in back. The seat and chainstays are curved to allow space for wheels and shoes.
There's internal routing throughout, including an option for a stealth dropper post. And to make sure the frame's dropper post friendly, the seat tube diameter is an easily compatible 31.6mm.
Disc brakes are naturally on stopping duty, 12mm thru-axles take care of the wheels and all the typical rack, fender and cage mounts are present and accounted for.
Why Cycles R build
Why offers two build kits and a frame only option. The Force Carbon kit I have in is the more expensive version coming at $5.899. It's fronted by an Enve carbon fork, features a full SRAM Force 1x11 drivetrain and Force hydraulic discs.
Industry Nine's impressive C41 TL Disc wheels highlight the frame's industrial beauty with their deep Reynolds carbon rims and gorgeous anodized hubs. More carbon can be found making up the Easton EC70 SL post and bars.
Color-matched ano orange is present on the hubs, nipples and bottle cage bolts. For a non-custom bike, the level of detail is impressive.
Another major thing to note is that every Why Cycles bike ships in an Evoc bike travel bag.
Why Cycles R pricing and availability
The R is available now and can be ordered through Why's site or over the phone. Why gives a 30-day guarantee if you're not fully satisfied.
- Force Carbon Kit: $5,899 / £4,713 / AU$7,732 (based on current exchange rates) with Project 321 hubs and Knight Composites rims
- Rival build: $4,199 / £3,355 / AU$5,504 (based on current exchange rates) with Industry Nine aluminum wheels and a Rival build with hydraulic discs
- Frame only: $2,050 / £1,638 / AU$2,687 (based on current exchange rates)
- Frame Enve fork: $2,549 / £2,036 / AU$3,341 (based on current exchange rates)
- Frame Lauf fork: $2,749 / £2,196 / AU$3,603 (based on current exchange rates)