XMCS: 2026 Aero Gravel bike

[simon_swiss]

What type of headset is it? In one of the uploaded pictures I can see the bearing dimensions (40 x 51.8 x 8, 45/36).
Is it FSA or Deda DCR compatible? I'd like to run a two-piece cockpit, for example Deda Vinci DCR, with a slammed stem (or only with a minimal height adapter), as the stack of the size S frame is rather high.

What is the rear tire clearance with GRX Di2? It was asked before, but I can't see a reply. My goal would be to fit a 50mm tire. My current bike has 420mm chainstays, 74 deg seat tube, and there is 4-5mm of clearance left to the GRX Di2 FD with a 50mm Schwalbe G-ONE RX on 25mm IW rim (measures 49mm). So perhaps with the 425 mm chainstays of the GRT this could fit? Any thoughts on this?

[Requiem84]

FSA/ACR. 2x tire clearance not tested by anyone, but would expect around 50mm.

[edfungus]

Ran into a snag on size S frame/fork. I cut the fork slammed for only the 12mm headset and the expander plug is too long. There is a ridge on the inside before a not smooth section 40mm from the top. The plug is 50mm. I think if you have a 10mm spacer + the 12mm you will be fine. I'll have to go get a shorter expander plug. Shouldn't affect most except those slamming a size small

[LP119]

Ran into a snag on size S frame/fork. I cut the fork slammed for only the 12mm headset and the expander plug is too long. There is a ridge on the inside before a not smooth section 40mm from the top. The plug is 50mm. I think if you have a 10mm spacer + the 12mm you will be fine. I'll have to go get a shorter expander plug. Shouldn't affect most except those slamming a size small

The inside of the steerer tube looks rough Maybe it's the angle or something. I'm planning on slamming the stem so hopefully on my Medium I'll be able to use the provided expander plug. Have you check with XMCS if the ridge inside is normal? I feel like they would would like your feedback on this issue as they could fix it in the future.

[simon_swiss]

Ran into a snag on size S frame/fork. I cut the fork slammed for only the 12mm headset and the expander plug is too long. There is a ridge on the inside before a not smooth section 40mm from the top. The plug is 50mm. I think if you have a 10mm spacer + the 12mm you will be fine. I'll have to go get a shorter expander plug. Shouldn't affect most except those slamming a size small

Thanks for sharing this info @edfungus. I didn't had this surprise on the radar.

I wonder if the ridge can be filed off, I doubt this is structurally load bearing. Surely the expander plug should make contact on the upper straight part, not be stuck on a remnant of the ridge, so might be difficult with a file.
I checked an old fork, the non-smooth section starts roughly where the outer diameter is expanding.

[edfungus]

XMCS said to file it off but it doesn't seem very smooth after the ridge either and I rather not do that modification. I just order a couple shorter expander plugs to test and I pulled one from my other bike for now. The expander plug it came does seem nice

[edfungus]

ok first ride (short, mostly road) thoughts:

- surprisingly smooth especially coming from an aspero with an ergon split seatpost (tho at max insertion)
- handles well however was twitchier than I was expecting. Should have been +2 trail but felt -2 trail. Running 40mm that inflates to 44mm. Wouldn't say bad just unexpected (I went 170mm -> 160mm cranks which could have contributed, feels a little different)
- feels like I'm more on the bike rather than in the bike compared to the aspero

other notes:
- no chainstay protector
- fork seems fully tubed for hose (or I got super lucky)
- no dummy hanger plate for 1x
- 4mm (not 5mm) bolts on handlebar for computer mount
- shockingly was able to fit the silca gravelero pump into the storage with ease. I was certain that it would be too long but its not!

[LP119]

ok first ride (short, mostly road) thoughts:

- surprisingly smooth especially coming from an aspero with an ergon split seatpost (tho at max insertion)
- handles well however was twitchier than I was expecting. Should have been +2 trail but felt -2 trail. Running 40mm that inflates to 44mm. Wouldn't say bad just unexpected (I went 170mm -> 160mm cranks which could have contributed, feels a little different)
- feels like I'm more on the bike rather than in the bike compared to the aspero

other notes:
- no chainstay protector
- fork seems fully tubed for hose (or I got super lucky)
- no dummy hanger plate for 1x
- 4mm (not 5mm) bolts on handlebar for computer mount
- shockingly was able to fit the silca gravelero pump into the storage with ease. I was certain that it would be too long but its not!

The twitchy front end is a little concerning but perhaps it's something that is easy to get used to. Looking at the geometry, it looks to have around 65mm of trail which would actually be 3mm more than your Aspero so it should feel less twitchy when looking only at the numbers. I assume there's no downtube protector also? Thanks for sharing your first impressions

[Requiem84]

ok first ride (short, mostly road) thoughts:

- surprisingly smooth especially coming from an aspero with an ergon split seatpost (tho at max insertion)
- handles well however was twitchier than I was expecting. Should have been +2 trail but felt -2 trail. Running 40mm that inflates to 44mm. Wouldn't say bad just unexpected (I went 170mm -> 160mm cranks which could have contributed, feels a little different)
- feels like I'm more on the bike rather than in the bike compared to the aspero

other notes:
- no chainstay protector
- fork seems fully tubed for hose (or I got super lucky)
- no dummy hanger plate for 1x
- 4mm (not 5mm) bolts on handlebar for computer mount
- shockingly was able to fit the silca gravelero pump into the storage with ease. I was certain that it would be too long but its not!

What is your stem length vs the Aspero?

I do not recognize the twitchyness in any case. I do recognize that it feels more comfortable than some other (aero) gravel bikes. Particularly at the rear.

[Bobinski]

ok first ride (short, mostly road) thoughts:

- surprisingly smooth especially coming from an aspero with an ergon split seatpost (tho at max insertion)
- handles well however was twitchier than I was expecting. Should have been +2 trail but felt -2 trail. Running 40mm that inflates to 44mm. Wouldn't say bad just unexpected (I went 170mm -> 160mm cranks which could have contributed, feels a little different)
- feels like I'm more on the bike rather than in the bike compared to the aspero

other notes:
- no chainstay protector
- fork seems fully tubed for hose (or I got super lucky)
- no dummy hanger plate for 1x
- 4mm (not 5mm) bolts on handlebar for computer mount
- shockingly was able to fit the silca gravelero pump into the storage with ease. I was certain that it would be too long but its not!

I did ask Peter to produce a dummy hanger plate. It's such a clean looking frame otherwise. Hopefully an aftermarket option for us early adopters.
I am still waiting for my frame so great news on comfort and storage space.

[edfungus]

yeah no downtube protector. I have 100mm on both bikes (aspero is -17 on 54cm). Twitchy-ness is probably over emphasizing it, it just felt more willing to steerer. It'd probably be normal after a couple rides. Will try to do some offroad this weekend

[Requiem84]

By the way, 44mm WAN gravel tires on the GRT.. I consider that a legal offense ;-).

[LP119]

Thanks for the answer on the downtube protector. I'll probably just go 3M protective tape on both the downtube and chainstay, not a big deal. Are you guys running 160mm rotors front and rear?

[edfungus]

Holy, 2.2 dubnitals on this bike totally transforms it. Bike handles well, feels composed and the better tires just grip in places I didn't even know was possible (clearly never ridden a mtb). With the caracals, the off-road to road transition felt like the road was more efficient. With the dubnitals, the effort felt similar. Not sure if it feels slower on road or faster on gravel (I didn't really have good segments to compare yet). But I like how it feels! Really glad I can use bigger tires

Also the tire clearance is quite generous unlike some other brands. The 2.2 came out to around 55.5mm on 30mm IW and there is around 8mm at least everywhere so points to 6mm clearance on stated tire clearance

[TommyGun]

That is exactly the colour I want to get. But mine would be size L.
Could you give us some photos of the whole bike.