XMCS: 2026 Aero Gravel bike

[dpries11]

I’ve been watching this thread closely as this very likely looks like my next bike and early on I was quite concerned about the rumoured 42T max chainring as I’m already running a 44T on my drop bar rigid hardtail.

That being said it should be noted what @Requiem84 mentioned earlier is very true and with chainstay length, tire clearance and chainring clearance we naturally have 3 variables that will only allow for more of any individual variable at the expense of the other or at the expense of the physical size of the chainstay frame member. Judging by the photos Peter has balanced this quite well already and if we can manage to fit a 48T with a 49mm chain line and 57mm tires I think this does not leave much to be desired.

[eddiecycle]

If you can't fit more than a 46, you are losing non-significant watts from your drivetrain and you will struggle to get a good cadence..

Don't get me started on the meaninglessness of the 425 chainstay obsession and its impact on packaging.

If you're racing in areas flat enough to benefit from bigger chainrings than 46T, you'd also benefit from a chainring spaced further out for a better chainline in the fast gears.

Couldn't disagree more about chainstays; If I had to pick a most important geo number for handling it would be chainstay length. This likely also comes back to you racing in flatter areas (which is fair since flatter areas are the heart of the gravel racing scene).

[svedkoko]

The new crux can fit a 52t, willier rave 50t, ridley astr 52t, tavelo grow 50t, evolve cima gr 50t

A maybe-48t with a bad chainline is surprising and disappointing given how perfect everything else about this bike seems to be so far. And I say that as someone who arranged a preorder for it with Peter already.

Very much agree. I was going to order it once the chain ring situation was clarified.

[wintermute]

If you're racing in areas flat enough to benefit from bigger chainrings than 46T

Far from it: I race a 50 for European UCI events.

This really all feels a little like an unfit roadie tries gravel problem that could be solved by spending more time mountain biking and or on the trainer 

Obviously I am being as exceptionalist as those saying 44 is fine (it isn't, but also not everyone has a 5wkg threshold) and slow people get value from aero bikes. It just seems like, of the compromises they could have made, this was the worst of all choices.

I would have extended the chainstay 5mm, taken the clearance gain and been able to fit a 50.

[RLA]

Far from it: I race a 50 for European UCI events.

This really all feels a little like an unfit roadie tries gravel problem that could be solved by spending more time mountain biking and or on the trainer 

Just out of curiosity what's your average and max speed in those races. Also what is your average cadence? Thanks!

[jfcb]

Just out of curiosity what's your average and max speed in those races. Also what is your average cadence? Thanks!

For instance world champs in Belgium, the one in the Netherlands, UCI gravel in Turnhout (BE), Aachen (De), Valkenburg (NL): All between 35-39km/h and about  87 cadance average using a 50T chainring. I must admit, with those speeds you end up in the top 20 in the age group and first quarter of the elites.

[wintermute]

you end up in the top 20 in the age group and first quarter of the elites.

Whilst that is where I sit, average speeds aren't particularly useful as these races are pretty stochastic. It's more about efficiency where it matters e.g. the last 20km of the Gralloch has a long pedalable downhill where I broke away from the lead group at 55kph, and then when they (inevitably) caught me we still averaged 45kph for the last 15k.

[eddiecycle]

Far from it: I race a 50 for European UCI events.

I believe we mean different things when we talk about gravel racing. Euro gravel races often have a lot of pavement and play out like Paris-Roubaix or Strada Biancha. In the US when we say gravel we mean completely gravel with maybe a few small paved connectors. The Traka is a gravel race; the UCI worlds is not. I agree with you that if you're racing on pavement (or flat-ish terrain), youneed big chainrings. On the Appalachian terrain where I do most of my gravel riding, a smaller ring provides a better chainline on 8-20+% climbs, which is the majority of the terrain and where you're leaving all your power. My racing days are long past, but if I was gonna race here I'd go for the smallest ring that wouldn't get me dropped on the rare little flat section. Probably 42-46 would be ideal.

[jfcb]

Well, let's keep the definition of what gravel racing is to another thread and let's discuss the frame characteristics here. Looking forward to see it build up.
On a side note, I am (in general with the Chinese brands) astonished that the mould(s) are there but there is ambiguity about clearance. I would suspect this is something that is normally checked during the design on the 3d model and validated with the first 3d printed prototype.

[voidptr]

Any news on the new gravel handlebars with rise? Will they be at Eurobike?
Has the computer mount situation been figured out?

[xcelrec]

Any news on the new gravel handlebars with rise? Will they be at Eurobike?
Has the computer mount situation been figured out?

it's already on here https://www.xmcs.nl/product-page/gr-rise

[Rolle2k]

Not possible that the rise handlebars will also be available in 70mm reach? That would make this frame also working for me 😊

[Hillhater]

"The frame looks great, especially the rear geometry where the metrics are quite similar to Factor Sarana.

For me, the main downside is the seatpost. I prefer a round post over an aero type, which makes it easy to change to a different setback or a dropper.

[perneto]

I really love the shape of 3T's gravel handlebars that i own today. From the hoods they go straight down half the way - then only the part you actually hold is flared. This makes the handlebar less wide, while still keeping big flare. Would actually make sense on both Road and gravel handlebars to use such design. The 3T bars are ~80mm wider in the drops than in the hoods - and that grip feels very flared, since all the flare is on only haft the height. So one could do less flare for "same" feeling as others, or just have more effective flare for same outer width.
I have been hoping somebody would make road handlebars with such design, but 380/410 width.

Yeah, i really like alot of 3Ts products, but they are way to expensive for my budget.

I just got very similar bars on AliExpress from RXL SL: https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGCm0AQ

[Requiem84]

Some footage and images on our Instagram.

2.4 fits front and rear with 4-5mm clearance (61mm WAM).