Parapera Anemos² on Test – In Our 2025 Gravel Race Bike Comparison Test

Minimalist design, ultra-light custom build, and pure race performance – the Parapera Anemos² aims to combine the best of both worlds: the liveliness of a road bike with the toughness of a gravel racer. But is that enough for today’s gravel racing scene, or is it more of a road bike that’s taken a wrong turn onto gravel? In our test we’ll tell you whether it rides as fearlessly as it looks.

If names are anything to go by, the Parapera Anemos² is the very embodiment of lightness. “Anemos” – Greek for wind – stands for maximum efficiency at minimal weight. With its custom race build featuring a full-carbon saddle, Lightweight wheelset and Campagnolo drivetrain, our test bike weighs in at just 7.47 kg – only the S-Works CruX is lighter. And at € 9,911, it’s just slightly cheaper than the average. But does less weight always translate into more speed, or will the Anemos² drift off path with the first wind gust?

Modern gravel racing demands more than just climbing prowess – comfort, composure, stability and versatility all play a crucial role, too. So how does the Anemos² perform in rough terrain, technical sections and over long distances? Is it a thoroughbred gravel racer or just a dressed-up all-road machine with fat tires?

Road bike gone rogue? A closer look at the Anemos²

Parapera loosely translates to “beyond” – and that’s exactly what the Anemos² sets out to deliver. Everything here revolves around uncompromising lightweight construction: anything that doesn’t serve performance is left out. And when it hits the scales, things get serious – at just 7.47 kg, it’s the second-lightest bike in the entire test field. Only the Specialized S-Works CruX is lighter, but also costs € 3,500 more.

This obsession with weight runs through every detail: the Lightweight Pfadfinder EVO wheels have long stood for carbon artistry and uncompromising lightness, though their narrow 18.2 mm internal rim width now feels somewhat outdated – and at around 1,430 g, it’s not even the lightest wheelset in this test. But at € 3,780, it’s definitely the most expensive one. In contrast, Schmolke’s carbon seatpost paired with the full-carbon Selle Italia saddle forms an impressively lightweight combo.

The golden outline of Cyprus on the top tube, combined with the sparkling paint finish, creates a refined and cohesive design, carried through right into the 35 cm wide cockpit. The inner fork legs subtly echo the colour scheme, and even the smallest touches – like the “Powerhouse” print at the bottom bracket or the clean branding on the chainstay and top tube – blend seamlessly into the bike’s overall aesthetic.

When it comes to tech, the Anemos²’s all-road DNA becomes apparent: a maximum tire clearance of just 40 mm limits it in terms of grip, damping and off-road capability compared to today’s gravel-focused competition. At 40 mm, it clearly falls short of the test field average of around 45 mm – and bikes like the 3T RaceMax Italia even offer clearance for up to 57 mm tires.

Uncompromisingly Lightweight: the spec of the Parapera Anemos²

For our 2025 gravel race bike comparison test, Parapera specced the Anemos² with a true rarity: the Campagnolo Super Record Wireless groupset – one of the most exclusive ones currently available on the market, typically found on top-tier road bikes built for the showroom. But does this Italian showpiece really belong on a gravel race bike?

Visually? Absolutely. But once you hit rougher ground, it becomes clear: prestige and flawless finish can’t replace gravel-specific optimisation. The gearing – with a 45/29 chainset and a 10-29 cassette – offers a very decent 450% range, which is enough for steep gravel climbs. However, the groupset clearly lacks chain tension, which results in noticeable chain slap on rough terrain. Gravel-specific drivetrains like the Shimano GRX counteract this with a clutch on the derailleur – something the Campagnolo Super Record Wireless is missing.

Braking performance, on the other hand, is impressive, with a firm bite point and strong, precise modulation. For the tires, Parapera opted for a very smart combo: a Schwalbe G-One R at the front for extra cornering grip and a faster-rolling G-One RS Pro at the rear for maximum propulsion – a setup we also recommended in our gravel tire comparison test. With a measured width of 37 mm, however, tire volume remains the limiting factor – offering fewer reserves in terms of damping qualities and traction on rougher terrain.

The geometry of the Parapera Anemos²

With the shortest chainstays in the entire test field at 415 mm, and a compact wheelbase of just 1,014 mm, the Anemos² is clearly built to deliver razor-sharp handling. The steep 72° head angle ensures direct, sporty steering, while a stack-to-reach ratio of 1.49 results in a compact, aggressive riding position. On paper, it promises maximum agility – but it also gives the impression of being more of an exclusive all-road bike with gravel approval than a true gravel racer. So how does that translate on our test track?

Size	XS	S	M	L	XL
Seat Tube	460 mm	480 mm	510 mm	535 mm	560 mm
Top Tube	520 mm	540 mm	555 mm	570 mm	590 mm
Head Tube	100 mm	115 mm	130 mm	150 mm	180 mm
Head Angle	71°	71.5°	72°	72°	72°
Seat Angle	74.5°	74°	73.5°	73°	73°
Chainstay	415 mm	415 mm	415 mm	415 mm	415 mm
BB Drop	76 mm	76 mm	76 mm	76 mm	76 mm
Wheelbase	988 mm	999 mm	1004 mm	1014 mm	1035 mm
Reach	372 mm	382 mm	387 mm	390 mm	402 mm
Stack	534 mm	550 mm	566 mm	583 mm	613 mm

A true mountain goat – the Parapera Anemos² on review

With its ultra-light weight and the shortest chainstays in this test, the Parapera Anemos² is without question one of the most explosive bikes in the group. Few others accelerate as effortlessly or climb with such impressive efficiency. Only the Specialized S-Works Crux feels slightly quicker when sprinting uphill. But this performance truly comes into its own on tarmac, hardpack, and fine gravel – once the terrain gets rougher, the Anemos² quickly shows its limits.

The fitted tire and wheel combo offers noticeably less contact surface and damping compared to the wider setups of rival bikes. On bumpy descents, this translates to a lack of control, comfort, and confidence – bikes like the 3T Extrema Italia and the MERIDA SILEX feel much more composed in these conditions.

Mamma mia, this thing flies uphill!

The Anemos² handles with sharpness, speed, and agility – perfect for tight corners and quick direction changes. The steep 72° head angle and short wheelbase ensure great precision, but also make it more demanding to ride. Experienced riders will enjoy the bike’s quick, responsive nature – it reacts instantly to rider input and slices through switchbacks with surgical precision.

Compared to the playful SCOTT Addict Gravel RC and the dynamic ROSE BACKROAD FF, the Anemos² also feels lively, but never quite as composed on rougher terrain. Stability remains the limiting factor. As long as the surface isn’t too choppy, the bike’s playful handling and snappy acceleration deliver huge amounts of fun. Riders looking for a touch more damping and security can tweak things slightly with wider rims or tires – but with a maximum clearance of 40 mm, there’s not much room to play with.

On climbs, the low system weight makes every effort feel rewarding. That said, comfort remains limited overall, which is mainly due to the narrow tires. The Schmolke carbon seatpost works well, and the full-carbon Selle Italia saddle provides a noticeable amount of flex – but the overall package remains firm, especially due to the stiff wheelset and small tire volume. On bumpy gravel, the slick carbon saddle also lacks grip, though that’s easily solved with some grip tape.

So, is the Anemos² a true gravel race bike – or more of a road bike with wider tires? That’s the crux of its versatility: if you’re after an ultra-light, climb-hungry machine that thrives on tarmac, hardpack and light gravel, this bike delivers. But modern gravel racing also includes increasingly more rough, technical sections – and that’s where the Anemos² starts to struggle. The narrow tires offer little margin, the limited clearance leaves little room for upgrades, and the demanding handling requires a skilled rider. This can cost seconds, and confidence too. All in all, the Anemos² might not be purebred racer for the rough stuff, but as a lightning-fast all-road machine with race credentials, it still makes a bold statement.

Tuning tip: Wheels with wider rims for added comfort and stability on gravel.

What kind of racing is the Parapera Anemos² made for?

Elevation, elevation, elevation! The Anemos² is one of the strongest climbers in the test field, and excels not only on ascents, but also on hardpack and fine gravel with impressive efficiency and ease. With its ultra-low system weight and sporty, compact all-road geometry, it’s made for speed addicts who don’t want to commit themselves to just one surface.

Whether it’s an uphill attack or a flat-out section, the Parapera plays to its strengths wherever precision and agility are key. However, as soon as the ground gets rougher or muddier, the Anemos² reaches its limits: the limited tire clearance significantly narrows its range of use in that direction. On rough ground, bikes like the 3T Extrema Italia and Cannondale SuperX offer noticeably more control, comfort and margin – though they’ll get you up the hill a fair bit slower 😉.

Conclusions about the Parapera Anemos²

The Parapera Anemos² is a climbing specialist with a purist look, and impresses with agile handling wherever lightness is key. Limited by its narrow wheels, slim tires, and all-road character, it makes clear compromises when it comes to rough terrain and technical sections. But if you’re after an ultra-light, highly responsive gravel race bike for events that are focused above all on tarmac, hardpack, and fine gravel, this bike really delivers.

More info at 1bike4life.com.

The test field

This bike was tested as part of the 2025 Race Gravel Bike comparison test – you can find an overview of this group test and all other tested race gravel bikes here:

All bikes in review: 3T Extrema Italia | Cannondale SuperX 2 | Canyon Grail CFR XPLR | Falkenjagd Aristos SL | Merida Silex 8000 | Parapera Anemos² | Rose Backroad FF RED XPLR AXS | Scott Addict Gravel RC | Superior XR 9.7 GF | Specialized S-Works Crux | Trek Checkmate SLR 9 AXS | Wilier Rave SLR

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Words: Jan Fock Photos: Jan Richter