XMCS: 2026 Aero Gravel bike

[eddiecycle]

Makes sense that uber long chainstays push the tire away from the derailleur. The official specs are for any chainstay length and assume the widest point on the tire is beside the derailleur. I'm guessing you'll be fine with 50mm as long as you're like me and don't care too much about clearance

[Requiem84]

I can't really send you mine as I'm using it. Testing with Force FD would also help. I thought it would be in your interest to list the FD clearance in the specs now that you (or Peter) are selling the frame.

I don't sell the frame as a standalone product and I'm already answering 15-30 emails/dm's per day about a bunch of details on a product (VRT and GRT) I don't - standalone - sell myself, or to people in markets I don't sell to at all. It's becoming a bit of a pro deo job ^^.

If it's crucial for you to get the GRX Di2 clearance - best to check in with Peter. I will mention it to him too.

Since it's for next summer for you, I presume you are not in a rush though

[TommyGun]

Your tire clearance with a 2x will be limited by the derailleur itself, so you should be able to get that spec from Shimano. I believe it's something like 48mm but it's been a long time since I was looking at 2x specs.

Edit: just did a quick web search and looks like Shimano and Sram both list 45mm as their official max tire size with a gravel front derailleur. Your realistic max is prolly closer to 48-50mm depending on how comfortable you are with the tire being close to the derailleur

It should be differrant from frame to frame.
MY Addict Gravel has official 45mm tyre clearance. Have just fitted 48c tyre (also 48mm wide) with about 3-4mm clearance on the chainstays. But my Di2 FD still has about 8mm on the head, and +10mm to the cage of FD.

[Requiem84]

Some more shots of my ride this morning.

[TommyGun]

Great looking bike. Too bad, you do not have any hills, so you could report on climbing and descending.

[Requiem84]

Will bring it to the Veluwe next week, some ups and downs there. But nothing serious like outside NL. May do some riding in Spain in October. But by then I expect that we have seen a lot more riding reports from others.

[this is dog]

Some more shots of my ride this morning.

Wat een beest! 💥

[Requiem84]

Wat een beest! 💥

You better be talking about me ^^.

[this is dog]

You better be talking about me ^^.

🤣

[Bobinski]

My fitter is a bit wary of me fitting and more impoirtantly enjoying the VRT with my aging back so looking at this as an alternative. I appreciate a very different bike but close to those racey aero gravel bikes that will probably be ok with a set of road wheels. Tim, I know you don't want to talk about speed etc but any observations on comfort etc...and if you are feeling brave, speed compared to a non aero gravel bike?

[Requiem84]

My fitter is a bit wary of me fitting and more impoirtantly enjoying the VRT with my aging back so looking at this as an alternative. I appreciate a very different bike but close to those racey aero gravel bikes that will probably be ok with a set of road wheels. Tim, I know you don't want to talk about speed etc but any observations on comfort etc...and if you are feeling brave, speed compared to a non aero gravel bike?

Geo isn't really a lot more relaxed tho? Size M GRT is very similar to VRT L. If you go GRT S it will be very low.

Comfort is really good so far. It certainly is not a slow frame compared to other gravel frames I have ridden.

[Bonus79]

First of all, thanks for the positive feedback on my last mock-up. So here is a second, slightly improved version.

I really liked the choice of the word 'aerys', but the font didnt match the 'XMCS' on the rims. You cant please everyone but the fact that the majority would prefer a frame without any branding shows that the current concept isnt quite right yet. I very much hope that the latest logo posted by requiem doesnt get the green light, as it again doesnt match the font on the rims and lacks a consistent design language. The ENVE logo, even though its just as intricate, is symmetrical and simple, making it very pleasing to the eye. The proposed font is very obtrusive, looks cheap and lacks a timeless appeal.

I hope more care is put into the design as (for me) branding is just as much a part of a good frame as the quality or the lay-up.

Edit: I just want to make clear that Im simply trying to help. The GRT and VRT frames look great otherwise, Ive already seen them in Frankfurt at the weekend.

I agree with everything you wrote.

As I already mentioned in the VRT discussion, I like the XMCS logo/brand: it's simple and distinctive.

It just needs a bit more attention paid to the graphic design, and this version that echoes the wheels design is, in my opinion, the best one!

[Bobinski]

Geo isn't really a lot more relaxed tho? Size M GRT is very similar to VRT L. If you go GRT S it will be very low.

Comfort is really good so far. It certainly is not a slow frame compared to other gravel frames I have ridden.

Fitter said exactly same as you Tim. But says the medium GRT puts me more in middle of the bike. Stand over height on the L VRT would be a challenge.

[AFE]

Any thoughts on the relatively slack 71.2° head tube angle? I'm a bit concerned it might make the bike feel sluggish to steer.

[Bambelbie]

nothing out of the ordinary...just the way geo is heading.
same on the new Crux or whatever ... you name it