Superior XR-GF in Review – Race-Gravel-Bike-Test 2025

An all-road bike in a Gravel Race Bike test? With the **Superior XR 9.7 GF**, the Czech manufacturer enters our gravel race bike comparison test with a true all-rounder. But can a bike with a road groupset and narrow gravel tires hold its own against dedicated Race Gravel machines?

Superior Bikes might not be a household name for everyone, but the brand is making a bold entrance with its first appearance in GRAN FONDO’s race gravel bike test. And they’re not just here to take part– they’re here to compete! Known for their focus on speed, both in the world of race MTBs and performance road bikes, Superior have the pedigree to back it up. They were even a sponsor of the 2024 Gravel World Championships.

With the XR 9.7 GF, Superior are bringing a crossover bike designed for both road and gravel into the mix. But does an all-road bike with 45 mm tire clearance belong in a gravel race bike test? It certainly sounds intriguing. The real question is: can it hold its own against the competition? We put it to the test to find out.

Superior XR 9.7 GF – One for all?

The Superior XR 9.7 GF claims to do it all, and was built to handle any scenario with ease. Designed around an endurance geometry, it’s meant to be a fast and versatile all-rounder. According to the manufacturer, it’s just as suited to high-speed road racing as it is to tough gravel adventures. Its off-road credentials come primarily from the generous 45 mm tire clearance. But is an endurance bike with wide tires really enough for gravel – especially for demanding gravel races?

That’s debatable. Looking at the competition in this test, it’s clear that many brands see gravel racers as more than just a road bike with fatter tires. And it’s not just the geometry that sets the Superior apart from the other gravel race bikes in this test. Many of its rivals come equipped with extra mounts for bottle cages, bags, or even full luggage systems– not to mention special cockpits and frame-integrated compliance features for added comfort. At first glance, the Superior XR 9.7 GF looks relatively bare. It does have the standard two bottle cage mounts and mounts for mudguards, but the Shimano road groupset already raises questions about its gravel capabilities.

Then there’s the tire choice. Despite the frame’s generous clearance, the bike comes fitted with Schwalbe G-One Allround tires in a nominal 40C size– but in reality, they’re just 35 mm wide. Not exactly ideal for tackling our demanding test course around Nice, which is packed with loose gravel, root-laced trails, and rocky descents.

A roadie’s dream on gravel? – Superior XR 9.7 GF

The Superior XR 9.7 GF isn’t just unique in this test field for its all-road approach– it also comes in at an unbeatable price of €4,899, which makes it the most affordable bike in the entire test field. But does this call for compromises in the spec?

With its Shimano ULTEGRA Di2 groupset (minus a power meter), the Superior is well-equipped for an all-road setup. The closely spaced gearing and solid range of the 11–34 cassette and 50/34 chainrings,make it capable of tackling steep climbs and fast descents.

With its Shimano ULTEGRA Di2 groupset (minus a power meter), the Superior is well-equipped for an all-road setup. The closely spaced gearing and solid range of the 11–34 cassette and 50/34 chainrings,make it capable of tackling steep climbs and fast descents. Even in the easiest 1:1 gear, it should manage tougher gravel gradients. However, compared to the gravel-specific drivetrains in this test, the road-focused ULTEGRA setup falls short. Both the models with Shimano GRX Di2 drivetrains and those running a SRAM Red XPLR offer better gearing options, shifting performance, and braking control for off-road riding.

The same goes for the wheels. The DT Swiss ER 1600 wheelset is more at home on an endurance road bike than a gravel racer. Unsurprisingly, this also affects the tires—the grippy and versatile Schwalbe G-One Allround tires, nominally 40 mm wide, shrink down to just 35 mm on the narrow DT Swiss rims. Meanwhile, much of the competition comes specced with deep-section aero gravel wheels straight from the factory, making the Superior look less race-ready in comparison.

One area where the bike does impress is Superior’s in-house ONE cockpit. It’s fully integrated and relies on a one-piece construction, offering solid ergonomics and a bit of compliance. However, at 44 mm, the handlebar width is a bit old school, and too wide by modern race gravel standards. On the plus side, the ONE Aero seatpost is a real highlight. With its integrated rear light, it enhances visibility not just on the road but also on gravel, where extra illumination is always welcome.

So, while the XR 9.7 GF offers a solid overall spec for its price, it’s simply not designed for gravel racing. Given that Superior already have the XR 9.9 GR LTD– a race-optimised version with SRAM Red XPLR AXS and DT Swiss GRC 1600 wheels– it begs the question: why did they enter the XR 9.7 GF into this test in the first place?.

The Geometry of the Superior XR

Just like its intended use, the geometry of the XR 9.7 GF leans towards a sporty all-road design. With chainstays measuring just 415 mm– the shortest in this test alongside the Parapera– the rear end is compact and snappy, delivering direct acceleration and playful handling. The stack-to-reach ratio of 1.48 places it firmly on the sportier side, suggesting a stretched-out, aggressive pedalling position. Meanwhile, the head angle sits between 70.5° and 72°, which is relatively steep. Combined with the short wheelbase, this results in razor-sharp handling– great for fast-paced all-road riding and carving through tight corners on tarmac. But when it comes to gravel racing, this setup might lack the stability needed for rougher terrain.

Size	XS	S	M	L	XL	XXL
Seat tube	421 mm	464 mm	484 mm	504 mm	524 mm	555 mm
Top tube	523 mm	535 mm	545 mm	574 mm	595 mm	616 mm
Head tube	100 mm	120 mm	140 mm	160 mm	180 mm	200 mm
Head angle	70.5°	71°	71.5°	71.5°	72°	72°
Seat angle	74.7°	74°	73.8°	72.6°	72.6°	72°
Chainstay	415 mm	415 mm	415 mm	415 mm	415 mm	415 mm
BB Drop	77 mm	77 mm	75 mm	75 mm	73 mm	73 mm
Wheelbase	994 mm	995 mm	1000 mm	1016 mm	1034 mm	1048 mm
Reach	380 mm	379 mm	381 mm	391 mm	407 mm	414 mm
Stack	524 mm	545 mm	563 mm	582 mm	601 mm	620 mm

Superior XR 9.7 GF –The definition of underbiked!

From the very first pedal strokes on the way to our test course in the mountains behind Nice, the Superior XR 9.7 GF delivers plenty of fun. But is that just down to the smooth tarmac, or does this bike have more to offer than its spec sheet suggests?

Once on gravel, its unique character becomes clear. True to its road DNA, the bike feels agile, nimble, and direct. Surprisingly, it also tracks straighter and feels more composed than the geometry numbers might suggest. But when the terrain gets rougher –especially on trails with nasty roots– our test riders are bounced around more than they’d like. The culprit? The tires. While the Schwalbe G-One Allround grips well, the actual width of just 35 mm is simply too narrow for serious gravel riding.

Not a race gravel bike, but an all-road fun rocket.

One thing that’s definitely not narrow is the cockpit. While the wide bars aren’t the most aerodynamic setup, they do provide excellent control and precise, stable handling. Aside from the tire limitations, the bike is predictable and easy to ride.

The XR 9.7 GF really shines in acceleration. Its road-inspired nature gives it an explosive, lively response when putting power down– only the ROSE and Parapera feel slightly quicker off the mark.

And then there’s the fun factor. Whether on tarmac or light gravel, the Superior is an absolute blast to ride, thanks to its fast, agile road bike character. It also offers impressive compliance, smoothing out bumps both on the road and gravel, making it comfortable enough for long-distance efforts.

But at the end of the day, this just isn’t a true race gravel bike. Despite its playful nature, the narrow tires and road-focused groupset hold it back. With a proper gravel build– DT Swiss GRC wheels, wider gravel tires, and a SRAM Red XPLR groupset– it could be a much better fit for racing. As it stands, though, it’s not race-ready and only partially suited to the demands of competitive gravel riding.

Tuning tip: Gravel-ready wheels and a narrower cockpit for modern gravel race performance.

What kind of race is the Superior XR 9.7 GF built for?

Agile and lively, the Superior XR 9.7 GF is all about pure riding fun. But what’s fun to ride isn’t always the fastest option. In the world of gravel race bikes, this one is best suited to all-road events rather than full-on gravel racing. That said, with a few upgrades, the XR 9.7 GF has the potential to be much more. A customised build could transform it into a truly versatile machine– equally at home on tarmac and gravel, while still delivering heaps of fun. Thanks to the generous tire clearance, it could even be turned into a competitive race gravel bike with the right setup. Conveniently, Superior already offer just that with the XR 9.9 GR LTD.

Conclusions about the Superior XR 9.7 GF

Superior have created one of the most agile, lively, and fun bikes in this race gravel test. However, compared to the competition, the sleek XR 9.7 GF simply isn’t specced for the job. With its road-focused wheels, narrow tires, and wide cockpit, it struggles to keep up with the more specialised gravel race bikes in the test. That said, the XR 9.7 GF has plenty of potential. With the right upgrades, it could transform into a capable race gravel bike– but in its current form, it’s more of a fast all-road machine than a true gravel racer.

More info at superiorbikes.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: Calvin Zajac Photos: Jan Richter