Eurobike is in full swing, and it’s got a few drop-bar highlights and innovations strewn in amongst the hardcore off-road machines and trending products surrounding urban mobility. They all fall somewhere on the spectrum from bizarre gravel bike creations and new e-bike tech to full-blown aero weapons.
TWhile road and gravel bikes aren’t highly represented at Eurobike 2023, we spotted a few highlights, nonetheless. We walked until we got blisters on our feet to pick out the seven most exciting bikes. In addition to an all-out aero weapon from Titici, Bergamont, ROTWILD and Advanced are full steam ahead on the electric gravel bike train. But there’s something for analogue fans, too: MERIDA introduce a gravel version of the popular SCULTURA ENDURANCE, and RONDO present an extraordinary design and a brand new Ruut. More ordinary, but no less exciting: SIMPLON introduce a long-awaited update to the Pavo line-up.
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Titici Alfa
You’ll be hard pressed to find another brand that is as closely synonymous with hand-made craftsmanship and customisation as Titici. The Italian company do things their own way and stir up the bike scene with eye-catching designs. The new ALFA is no different, and definitely the highlight in their current line-up. As a full-blown aero bike with a frame weight of 1100 g including the hardware, it makes no compromises. In addition to the aerodynamically optimised front triangle, it’s got a strikingly skinny rear end. The slender seat stays and wing-like brace connecting them to the seat tube shouldn’t just provide stiffness, but, above all, cut through the air like a hot knife through butter.
However, the Titici fans among us will have to wait until January 2024 to get their hands on one, giving you time to save up for the € 4,000 frame set. The model shown with a SRAM Force AXS eTap groupset and Vision carbon wheels will be available for € 8,990.
Mehr Infos auf titici.com
SIMPLON Pavo IV
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from SIMPLON. To be precise, it’s taken the Austrian brand five years to update their classic road bike, the Pavo. The SIMPLON Pavo IV will be the successor to the Pavo III, available from autumn 2023. Their development brief wasn’t just to make it aerodynamic or light, but to achieve a balance of both. There are various aero features on the frame and cockpit promising to save a few watts. And weighing in at just 6.5 kg, it certainly isn’t heavy either. This, combined with the comfortable/dynamic geometry, should make it ideal for long-distance, all-day rides. A cut-out in the D-shaped seat post is said to lend it additional compliance. Some parts like the front derailleur bracket and cockpit spacer 3D-printed. The entry-level build of the SIMPLON Pavo IV goes for € 7,500, and it’s made in Portugal, attempting to bring the production of high-end bikes closer to home.
Mehr Infos auf simplon.com
RONDO Ruut 2nd Generation
When Polish brand RONDO appeared on the scene with the Ruut in 2017 and 2018, they sent a ripple through the bicycle industry. With a flip chip in the fork to adjust the geometry and a fancy frame design, the gravel bike stood out from the crowd. Now RONDO are following that up with the Ruut 2nd Generation. It’s a lot less race-focused, marketed as more of an all-rounder. RONDO have gone all out with the frame design, however, conjuring up an extraordinary looking beast. But their aim wasn’t just to come up with a wild looking bike, as it promises to dampen vibrations too. You will also get a frame box that tucks into the recess right behind the rear wheel of all RONDO Ruut 2nd Generation CF models. The frame isn’t stingy with bosses and eyelets for accessories either. It’s even said to be compatible with 2x drivetrains, though you’ll need an adapter for the front derailleur. The Ruut will be available from as little as € 4,499, but only at the beginning of 2024, unfortunately.
Mehr Infos auf rondo.com
MERIDA SCULTURA ENDURANCE GR
Road, gravel, and mountain bike, the big MERIDA family is growing. The SCULTURA ENDURANCE GR gravel bike is the newest sibling of the SCULTURA ENDURANCE and the crazy racing cousin of the SILEX. The GR model is based entirely on the well-designed and proven SCULTURA endurance frame, offering an identical geometry and feel, though officially compatible with wide gravel tires. The maximum tire clearance of 35 mm is suitable for speed-gravel, or gravel racing, as the GR suffix suggests. In addition to full FSA integration and a multitool hidden under the saddle, the bike has another trick up its sleeve: MERIDAs signature cooling fins on the brake mounts keep the brakes cool and performing optimally. The two carbon variants 8000 and 5000 are aimed at performance and racing-oriented customers. More affordable, but no less sporty, the Merida SCULTURA ENDURANCE 500 is destined to make gravel hearts beat faster.
Mehr Infos auf merida.com
ROTWILD R.R275 X e-gravel bike
As a brand, ROTWILD are usually associated with mountain bikes, and they’ve achieved absolute cult status in German-speaking regions. Now, with the R.R275 X, ROTWILD are launching an electric gravel bike, and a very divisive one at that. With its striking design language, it wouldn’t look out of place on a Mad Max film set. The bike’s futuristic look with ROTWILDs typical black/red finish and 5-spoke Xentis wheels certainly makes a big first impression. The mid-mounted TQ motor has a maximum torque output of 50 Nm, offering up to 200 watts of pedal assistance. You can activate Boost mode at the push of a button, which increases the power output to 300 watts, just like the new ROTWILD R.X275 ULTRA. The motor is powered by a 250 Wh battery, which was developed together with TQ. Supernova supply the head- and taillights, providing for sufficient visibility. There will be two different versions available: the high-end 5-spoke model for € 11,999 and a slimmed down version with regular spokes and carbon rims for € 8,999.
Mehr Infos auf rotwild.com
Advanced Offroad Pro Gravel
Advanced, the German urban mobility experts and ebike manufacturers are best known for their step-through ebikes. But after recent off-road excursions aboard their newly introduced eMTB with podium aspirations at the UCI EWS-E series, they’ve taken the next big leap.
True to the brands dedication to ebikes, the first gravel bike from Advanced, the Offroad Pro Gravel, comes with an electric motor. In this case, they’ve decided to go with the brand-new Bosch SX system. The 55 Nm motor is powered by a 400 Wh battery, following the trend towards lighter drive units such as those from TQ and MAHLE. With its mid-mounted motor, the bike is designed with ultimate versatility in mind, on and off road, thereby hoping to cater to a wide range of customers. This isn’t just thanks to the maximum tire clearance of 45 mm, but also the weight of just 13.5 kg, making the Offroad Pro Gravel both capable and fast. The package is rounded off with a SRAM Force AXS eTap drivetrain and will be available from the beginning of 2024 for € 6,999. The SRAM Apex AXS eTap build will be available for € 5,499.
Mehr Infos auf advanced.com
2023 Bergamont E-Grandurance
Bergamont already have an e-gravel bike in their catalogue, now presenting the latest iteration. It’s based on the existing Bergamont Grandurance gravel bike. In contrast to the old E-Grandurance, the new one no longer relies on the FAZUA motor, placing its bets on the popular TQ instead. It also offers up to 50 Nm of torque and 300 watts of support, however, unlike the ROTWILD, it hasn’t got a boost function. You’ve got various eyelets for mudguards, luggage racks, and stands too, allowing it to serve as your day-to-day workhorse. The new Bergamont E-Grandurance will be available as an RD variant with mudguards and lights, and a sporty variant without accessories, both available with a carbon or aluminium frame. Each of the 4 models get their own paint job for the fork, while the colour of the frame itself stays the same. Bergamont are likely to go with Shimano for the groupsets, but there was limited information available regarding the spec of the new Bergamont E-Grandurance at the time of publication. One thing that’s certain, however, is that the flagship model will come equipped with a dropper post.
Mehr Infos auf bergamont.com
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Words: Martin Staffa, Calvin Zajac Photos: Jan Richter, Martin Staffa, Calvin Zajac
