The Falkenjagd Aristos R is one of the bikes that immediately stands out from the test field. With its beguiling titanium construction and parts from a 3D printer, you simply can’t miss it. But can the gravel bike from the German bike manufacturer also stand out with its performance? Our test provides the answer!
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best gravel bike 2022 – 19 models on test

Precision, endurance and speed – these are the virtues that resourceful hunters demand of their falcons. And that is precisely what the name of the titanium bike manufacturer from Garching near Munich alludes to. Precision is also required for the production of the Falkenjagd Aristos R, even incorporating 3D printing – when you look at the perfect workmanship of the bike, there is plenty of precision to be found. Having looked at the Falkenjagd Aristos R (read review here) in our last issue, it now has to face competition from the best gravel bikes of the year.



In addition to the mounting points for two bottle cages in the main triangle, the frame itself hides mounts for mudguards, a luggage rack, a front light and even the wiring integration for a hub dynamo. For the gears and brakes, Falkenjagd rely on Campagnolo EKAR, the mechanical 1×13 gravel groupset which combines a 38 t chainring and 9–42 t cassette, giving it slightly more range than the SRAM XPLR groupsets on test. This pays off when riding fast. The biggest weakness of the shifting is that it is very difficult to adjust correctly, sensible on the ride, and comparatively clumsy and spongy when shifting. However, due to running improvements, newer EKAR models already work much better than the first batches.

Direct mount at the rear of the Aristos R is for a 140 mm rotor. On a gravel bike you should go straight to 160 mm.

The range of the Campagnolo EKAR drivetrain is on the money in this test, but sits more on the sporty side. What suits a bike like the Ridley Kanzo Fast brilliantly would benefit from slightly easier gearing on the Falkenjagd.

The Aristos R is well equipped with mounting points: pannier rack, mudguards, dynamo integration… However, for a bike of this class, more mounts under the down tube and on the fork wouldn’t do any harm.
Falkenjagd Aristos R
€ 8,484
Specifications
Seatpost Falkenjagd Titan
Brakes Campagnolo EKAR 160/160 mm
Drivetrain Campagnolo EKAR 1x13
Stem Falkenjagd Titan 100 mm
Handlebar Parapera 440 mm
Wheelset Parapera
Tires Schwalbe G-One R 700 x 45C
Technical Data
Size XS S M L XL XXL
Weight 9 kg
Specific Features
3D printed titanium frame shaped like a modern carbon model
designed with mudguards, a hub dynamo and luggage rack in mind
integration at the highest level
3D printed titanium stem

The Falkenjagd stem is 3D printed from titanium and blends in very well with the overall appearance. It also accommodates the bike’s cables for great integration.

The Parapera aluminium handlebar has fans and haters. Basically, it offers good ergonomics and a lot of control. However, it also seems very bulky on the Aristos R and the drops could be longer.

We don’t understand why the Falkenjagd Aristos R uses a press fit bottom bracket. Particularly on a metal frame, a threaded bottom bracket makes more sense.


Titanium masterpiece – 3D printing makes previously impossible shapes possible. Hardly any bike attracts so many looks!
Compared to the model from our previous review, Falkenjagd have given the Aristos R different tires, replacing the Schwalbe G-One Bite with the 700 x 45C Schwalbe G-One R. This a marked improvement for the bike, because it rolls more efficiently on compact surfaces without losing grip or traction. Its 45 mm deep carbon aero wheels from Parapera with their 24 mm inner width are a good basis for medium-width gravel tires, providing solid support. By contrast, the 440 mm Parapera aluminium bar with its 15 mm rise and 18° flare, looks very bulky. While it allows an upright riding position on the tops and a lot of control due to its flare, the drops should be a bit longer. The bike’s weight of 9.00 kg in size L is also somewhat heavy. On the other hand, the € 8,484 price tag is more than reasonable for a titanium bike of this quality.
Size | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seat tube | 490 mm | 510 mm | 530 mm | 550 mm | 570 mm | 600 mm |
Top tube | 520 mm | 535 mm | 555 mm | 570 mm | 585 mm | 600 mm |
Head tube | 110 mm | 125 mm | 145 mm | 160 mm | 185 mm | 200 mm |
Head angle | 70.5° | 71.5° | 71.5° | 71.5° | 71.5° | 71.5° |
Seat angle | 74.5° | 77.5° | 75.0° | 75.0° | 72.5° | 72.5° |
Chainstays | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm | 430 mm |
BB Drop | 78 mm | 78 mm | 75 mm | 75 mm | 73 mm | 73 mm |
Wheelbase | 1,022mm | 1,024 mm | 1,035 mm | 1,050 mm | 1,061 mm | 1,076 mm |
Reach | 375 mm | 374 mm | 379 mm | 390 mm | 392 mm | 403 mm |
Stack | 541 mm | 560 mm | 576 mm | 591 mm | 612 mm | 629 mm |

Jacket Adidas The Trackstand Cycling Jacket | Pants Adidas The Trackstand Cycling Pants
Shoes Adidas The Velosamba Cycling Shoe
The handlebar’s rise provides a stiff feel at the front and reduced pressure on the front wheel, which can be a problem when cornering very aggressively. The slight toe overlap also needs to be accounted for. Otherwise, the bike convinces with a high level of confidence in the vast majority of riding situations. On the one hand, this is due to the very good braking power of the Campy stoppers, which is safely transferred to the ground by the Schwalbe tires on varied terrain. On the other hand, the frame feels stable and secure, reassuring you that you are sitting on something robust and durable.

On the comfort side, the Aristos R is more on the “firm” team, despite the damping properties of the frame and components. However, this fits well with the bike’s propulsion-oriented character. Vibrations and small impacts are still pleasantly damped, while rougher impacts are noticeably transmitted to the rider. Here, the otherwise good efficiency of the Falkenjagd suffers. Back on flatter terrain, the bike accelerates readily for its weight and maintains speed very efficiently thanks to the bike’s integration, the deep rims and the associated aero advantages. There is also largely positive news in terms of handling: the Falkenjagd Aristos R is direct and precise without sacrificing smoothness, and thus convinces with balanced and intuitive handling that helps both experienced riders and beginners to have fun. The bike feels especially at home through fast and long turns, without cutting a bad figure on more tighter tracks or flow trails.


Tuning tip: a handlebar without rise and with a little less flare for a more sporty ride
The Falkenjagd Aristos R doesn’t outperform all its competitors in terms of handling, comfort or speed, but it is one of the few bikes at the top of the rankings in all categories. With this good performance across the board, high riding pleasure, wide range of applications and great looks, it deservedly secures a place on the podium in this group test.
Riding Characteristics
4Agility
- cumbersome
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- confident
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Fun factor
- boring
- lively
Comfort
- firm
- comfortable
Value for money
- terrible
- very good
Falkenjagd Aristos R conclusion
Speed, precision, endurance – the Falkenjagd Aristos R not only convinces with the characteristics of a falcon, but also with a wide range of uses and solid performance. This puts it in the top end of this group test and, thanks to the many mounting points, it is also a good choice for sporty bikepacking or everyday commuting. However, if you want ultimate performance, you should choose a lighter bike with electronic gears.

Tops
- great overall package with intuitive handling
- excellent integration
- high-quality workmanship and appearance
- many mounting points

Flops
- too stiff for rough terrain
- toe overlap

You can find out more about at falkenjagd-bikes.de
The testfield
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best gravel bike 2022 – 19 models on test
All bikes on review: 3T Exploro Ultra (Click for review) | BMC URS LT ONE (Click for review) | Cannondale SuperSix EVO SE (Click for review) | Canyon Grizl CF SLX 8 eTap Suspension (Click for review) | Cervélo Áspero GRX Di2 (Click for review) | CUBE Nuroad C:62 SLT (Click for review) | Curve Kevin of Steel III (Click for review) | Falkenjagd Aristos R | Felt Breed 20 (Click for review) | FOCUS ATLAS 6.8 (Click for review) | GIANT Revolt Advanced 0 (Click for review) | OPEN WI.DE. (Click for review) | Ridley Kanzo Fast (Click for review) | ROSE BACKROAD EKAR LTD (Click for review) | SCOTT Addict Gravel Tuned (Click for review) | Specialized S-Works Crux (Click for review) | Stelbel Nina XCr (Click for review) | Storck GRIX.2 Platinum (Click for review) | Wilier Rave SLR (Click for review)

No, it’s not about perfect race tracks, it’s about efficiency. Fast, fleet-footed and efficient – those who want to speed along high-speed passages need a defined and spritely bike that accelerates with ease and efficiency. Nevertheless, reliable components are important too. We interpret “Smooth tarmac” bikes as follows: Hard efforts at high speeds with a maximum efficient bike on a consistently well-paved road. Effort-joy ratio: 80:30 (not everything has to be 100%!)↩
… also known as bike riding. Broken-up roads in the hinterland, deadlocked gravel roads, loose surfaces – sometimes muddy, sometimes bone-dry. For this, it takes bikes with super all-round, handling and wearing qualities uphill and downhill. Effort-joy ratio: 50:50↩
If you want to use your bike almost every day, you usually do not need an extremely tuned racing machine. Solid components, which are able to cope with the rigours of continuous usage in any kind of weather, are part of the basic equipment. At the same time, the bike should have practicable details: integrated fenders/assembly options, luggage racks/attachment points and a light system or at least the option of installing bike lights. The position on the bike should be rather relaxed, the overall comfort high, so that the Afterwork Ride becomes a cure and not a curse. Effort-joy ratio: 30:70↩
You can find more info about our rating system in this article: Click here! ↩
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Words: Photos: Benjamin Topf, Peter Walker