XMCS: 2026 Aero Gravel bike

[Requiem84]

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.

We tried to keep the geo as ‘normal’ as possible and don’t go the direction of a super slack HTA. For instance, Allied Able has a 70.5 across all sizes but the smallest. Most competitor bikes in terms of clearance are around 71.0 more or less. Sure, some exceptions (new Argon for example), but I feel we are a tad steeper on the HTA than average in this segment. And of course you have to factor in fork offset.

As the concept is aero gravel bike stability was the priority and not a very sharp steering single track type of geo.

[purpsyrup]

Would it be able to get a paint job with custom logos on it? Say I supply the logo and font files?

[Requiem84]

That’s not really the idea, different branding on it as it’s not open mould. Also a risk from a trademark perspective.

In other news: no toe-overlap for me with the 2.4 tires, size M frame, shoe size 43, cleats quite normal. Did a bunch of single tracks yesterday and the GRT felt fine to me in the slower stuff.

Short clip of the stuff I did in my Strava post: https://strava.app.link/mWuYFMydL4b

[Rolle2k]

Any chance the Rise handlebars will be made in 70mm stem length also?

[akira11]

That’s not really the idea, different branding on it as it’s not open mould. Also a risk from a trademark perspective.

In other news: no toe-overlap for me with the 2.4 tires, size M frame, shoe size 43, cleats quite normal. Did a bunch of single tracks yesterday and the GRT felt fine to me in the slower stuff.

Short clip of the stuff I did in my Strava post: https://strava.app.link/mWuYFMydL4b

great to know! now the real question is... is it more FUN to ride than the Tideace NOAH? 

[jamez]

46T fits. Spacers as per Bikone BB manual (6mm DS). Chainline around 49mm. At 47.5mm it will be quite close. Don’t think you’ll manage a 48T with a 47.5mm chain line. If you’ll stick to 49mm… maybe yes.

What crank is best to use?
Sram road dub wide?

[Requiem84]

What crank is best to use?
Sram road dub wide?

Your derailler / casette type dictate your chainline. Dub wide is a wider crank and will need less spacers to get the 47.5mm XPLR chain line. If you will run dub road (45mm chain line), it may impact the chain ring size you can run.

[Requiem84]

great to know! now the real question is... is it more FUN to ride than the Tideace NOAH? 

I’m not the most objective on that question, but it really is. Is it the tires, or the frame, or both? Idk, but bombing down silly stuff is more fun on this. It just absorbs everything. Deep sand (of which we have quite some here) is suddenly easier. I truly think Peter built and absolute winner here.

I think though: the real ‘review’ will have to wait until I can try 50mm tires that fit the Noah too. I have a 50mm Touareg Race and 50 mm Caracal Race waiting. Probably on the bike in 2 weeks.

And of course, most important will be the experiences shared by the people buying the frame ^^.

[jamez]

Your derailler / casette type dictate your chainline. Dub wide is a wider crank and will need less spacers to get the 47.5mm XPLR chain line. If you will run dub road (45mm chain line), it may impact the chain ring size you can run.

My friend have one on the way.
Plan was 1x13 sram xplr. (its what makes the most sense!)
With the 8-bolt sram cranks you can only chose from chainring offsets and its quite limiter also I think.
He have a Wolf tooth aero 48t and a sram red dub crank (non wide) that probably will not fit.
Maybe with a dub wide?

[stalkersk]

Spider below has much wider chainline, if you mount the ring on the outside. I am able to fit 48t chainring on my 3T Exploro Ultra on non wide cranks, which has space only for 42t sram direct mount chainring. With 45mm chainline spider, I can fit up to 46t narrow wide and it will just clear 48/35 double.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008975540440.html

[AFE]

What are the paintjob options?

[Bobinski]

I am just going through the process of ordering the GRT, road aero rise bar and gravel wheels with Peter.  I will be running Sram 1x XPLR and would welcome some recommendations please on a lightish but reliable bottom bracket. TIA, Bob

[Requiem84]

So far pretty satisfied with the Bikone steel bearings. Was not happy with Bbinfinite, one very rainy ride killed the bearings.

Also happy with the Ceramicspeed ones, but quite expensive.

[Bobinski]

First ride on the GRT.

I am obviously not objective, so best to wait for some other ride reports. Also difficult to compare given the GRT is now fitted with 2.4’s. I rode them with equal pressure as my 2.2/2.1 combo on my Tideace Noah. It should feel a bit harder if you run the same pressure on wider tires, but it felt noticeably more compliant.

Also felt a little bit more stable in a straight line on the few gravel roads I took.

The star is the handlebar, incredibly nice to get in the drops if you want some more control. The flare is huge - and for me that works great. Hoods angled in for aero position on the straights. Drops for cornering, descends or rougher stuff.

I did go for a 110 stem, bit should have gone for a 100 I think. As the reach is quite a bit shorter than the Noah and STA steeper, I thought the 10mm extra stem length would compensate. It felt a bit longer though. More testing this week with saddle position.

Realllyyyy enyoable first ride.

Ps no comments on the speed of the bike!

https://strava.app.link/pHe8vuNSy4b

Hi Tom,
Can i check are the wheels the cs-gdw53-41 with saphim xray spokes?

[Requiem84]

Yes.