German brand Storck promise to have combined maximum stiffness with optimum comfort on the GRIX. 2 Platinum. A direct comparison with the 18 best gravel bikes of the year shows whether the Storck GRIX.2 Platinum can unite these seemingly opposing characteristics and how it fares in terms of its all-round characteristics.
For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best gravel bike 2022 – 19 models on test
German brand Storck can look back on many years of experience in the development and construction of bicycles. With the GRIX.2 Platinum, they’ve sent us the flagship model of their in-house gravel range, which promises to have successfully combined maximum stiffness with optimum comfort. The frame of the GRIX.2 Platinum is said to be of an even higher quality than the GRIX. 2 Pro due to a lower resin content in the carbon layup. Visually, it’s sure to turn heads with its stealthy matt black finish. We were also struck by the incredibly high level of integration, offering internal brake line routing throughout. Additionally, you’ll find enough bosses and eyelets on the frame and fork for bags, mudguards and a luggage rack – few other bikes on test offer this many mounting options.
The build centres around the wireless SRAM Force eTap AXS XPLR groupset, which has been designed specifically for gravel use. Thanks to the 1×12 drivetrain consisting of a 40 t chainring and a 10–44 t cassette, the gear range is wide enough for the intended use. You can keep pedalling at higher speeds, and mastering climbs is easy too. The equally matt black and elegant carbon DT Swiss GRC1400 Spline wheels have a rim depth and width of 42 and 24 mm, respectively. Fitted to these are 650 x 50B Schwalbe G-One Bite tires, putting plenty of rubber between you and the ground. Compared to the ENVE AG28 wheelset on the OPEN with an internal rim width of 28 mm, the Schwalbe tires have more of an O- than a U-shape on the narrow DT Swiss rims. This results in less supported tires, which generally detracts from the bike’s handling.
The wide 650 x 50B Schwalbe tires have more of an O-shape than the desired U-shape on the narrow, carbon rims of the DT Swiss GRC1400 Spline wheelset. Wider rims would offer the tires more support.
The quick-release axle allows you to remove the front wheel quickly and easily without tools.
Thanks to the mounting option for a front derailleur, the Storck GRIX.2 Platinum can accommodate a 1x or 2x drivetrain.
Storck GRIX.2 Platinum
€ 6,299
Specifications
Seatpost Storck GRX Comfort Carbon
Brakes SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD 160/160 mm
Drivetrain SRAM Force eTap AXS XPLR 1x12
Stem Storck RBSU GRIX.2 Platinum 100 mm
Handlebar Storck RBSU GRIX.2 Platinum 420 mm
Wheelset DT Swiss GRC1400 SPLINE
Tires Schwalbe G-One Bite 650 x 50B
Technical Data
Size S M L XL XXL
Weight 8.18 kg
Specific Features
no visible cables – excellent integration
an endless amount of bosses and mounting options
one-piece cockpit
650B tires
With a total of four bosses per side, the fork isn’t short on mounting points. The bike has many more besides these, which is convenient, though it detracts from the bike’s otherwise very clean look.
Like the rest of the bike, the one-piece carbon cockpit features an understated matt black finish and helps the bike achieve perfect integration. However, the handlebar and fork flex quite a bit when used by riders over 85 kg.
The seat post clamp has been beautifully integrated into the top tube without disrupting the frame’s silhouette. Thanks to its position, it’s easily accessible too.
Stealth looks – the high level of integration and understated matt black finish are sure to turn heads.
The 420 mm wide Storck RBSU GRIX.2 Platinum one-piece carbon cockpit lets you keep everything in control while offering good ergonomics. The matt black finish matches too. Our size M test bike weighs 8.18 kg and costs € 6,299.
| Size | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat tube | 462 mm | 493 mm | 522 mm | 552 mm | 582 mm |
| Top tube | 529 mm | 550 mm | 572 mm | 593 mm | 613 mm |
| Head tube | 101 mm | 125 mm | 150 mm | 180 mm | 210 mm |
| Head angle | 69.5° | 71.5° | 72.5° | 72.5° | 72.5° |
| Seat angle | 72.5° | 72.5° | 72.5° | 72.5° | 72.5° |
| Chainstays | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm | 425 mm |
| Reach | 366 mm | 378 mm | 390 mm | 402 mm | 413 mm |
| Stack | 518 mm | 547 mm | 576 mm | 604 mm | 633 mm |
Jersey T-Shirt Second Hand | Pants Velocio Concept Bib Short | Shoes Five Ten Freerider Pro
The moment you swing your leg over the saddle and start pedalling, it’s showtime for the GRIX.2 Platinum. Its acceleration is super light-footed and lively. Among other things, this can be attributed to the bike’s low weight and stiff bottom bracket. It isn’t the most efficient on flat terrain and very compact surfaces due to the added rolling resistance of the high-volume tires, requiring more effort to keep them at cruising speed. That said, it’s a different ball game on gravel: the looser, the better, allowing the comfort of the tires and bike to play to their strengths.
The handling scores for its playful and lively character. As such, the Storck lets you fly along tight and winding paths. When the terrain starts getting rougher, the Storck’s agile handling requires you to guide it and the bike tends to flex quite a lot for riders weighing more than 85 kg. The reason for this is the compliance of the handlebar and fork. In combination with the lack of support of the tires, the front end feels a bit too vague when things get demanding. Overall, the Storck performs best on winding roads, forest trails, gravel and smooth flow trails, in which instances it’s a joy to ride.
Tuning tip: wider rims to offer the tires more support
The SRAM Force eTap AXS HRD brakes and 160 mm rotors front and rear will reliably bring you to a halt. In combination with the wide and aggressive tires, you’ve got all the braking traction you need. The Storck’s handling is very composed, and your centre of gravity is positioned far to the front of the bike, putting a lot of weight on the front wheel. This is emphasised by the extremely short head tube and the resulting low cockpit. The relatively stiff frame also suits the bike’s direct character. The compliance of the front end, mentioned previously, the Schwalbe tires, and the seat post provide the necessary comfort. Compared to the test field, this results in a relatively comfortable ride. The high-volume tires are very sensitive to pressure changes, so it’s worthwhile tinkering with the PSI to find out what you prefer.
Riding Characteristics
4Agility
- cumbersome
- playful
Stability
- nervous
- confident
Handling
- demanding
- balanced
Fun factor
- boring
- lively
Comfort
- firm
- comfortable
Value for money
- terrible
- very good
Our conclusion on the Storck GRIX.2 Platinum
The Storck GRIX.2 Platinum doesn’t just look good, but it also accommodates a wide variety of use cases thanks to the wealth of mounting points. Due to the playful and lively handling, it’s a fun bike for winding routes on smooth terrain. The lack of support for the tires and the compliance of the front end requires you to stay on the ball when things get hectic. For it to keep up with the best all-rounders on test, the GRIX.2 Platinum would need faster rolling tires for higher efficiency.
Tops
- lots of tire clearance
- bosses and eyelets for mudguards and racks
- lots of mounting points on the fork
- superb level of integration
Flops
- the tires lack support
- front end feels vague in hectic situations
You can find out more about at storck-bikes.com
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 (Click for review) | 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 | 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: Mike Hunger Photos: Benjamin Topf, Peter Walker
