3T has launched a new version of its Exploro aero gravel bike, with massive tyre clearance up to 61mm, as well as a frame tuned for aerodynamics.
Those headline features may appear at odds with one another, but 3T’s Gerard Vroomen says a good gravel bike needs to be efficient both on the road and off, otherwise it’s not offering any real advantage over a mountain bike.
With that in mind, Vroomen says wind-cheating features are as important on the best gravel bikes as they are on aero road bikes.
Fast on the road and off
3T already has skin in the game when it comes to aero gravel bikes, with the 3T Exploro Racemax launched in 2020 and, like the new Ultra, combining an aero-optimised frame with 35-61mm tyre clearance (or WAM – width as measured – in 3T's language).
However, while the Racemax is designed, from an aerodynamic point of view, to work best with 35-42mm gravel bike tyres, 3T says there's an appetite for an aero advantage with even chunkier rubber.
"The Ultra also fits tyres from 35-61mm WAM, but it is optimised for the other upper end of that spectrum," according to 3T.
To do that, 3T has tweaked the down tube shape, with the narrower section now 60mm wide rather than 50mm. The brand has also widened out the fork legs and altered the bike’s geometry slightly, lengthening the wheelbase to help avoid toe overlap.
It’s also redesigned the seat tube so that it has an aero profile on the outside, but will fit a standard round seatpost (with a 27.2mm diameter) – or a dropper post, catering for those who want to ride steeper terrain.
In short, 3T says the new Exploro Ultra offers: "aerodynamics to get you through the easy stuff fast, massive tyres to get you through the tough stuff safely, and total flexibility to choose a standard, dropper or suspension seatpost."
700c or 650b?
3T says the Exploro Ultra’s geometry will work well with 700c wheels with tyres up to around 46mm; if you want to go wider, switch to 650b wheels.
"Why not 700 x 61c, or at least 700 x 55c or 700 x 50c? The problem is, those tyres are big, really big," says 3T.
"Not a problem on a mountain bike, which has a long front-centre, a long chainstay and tons of clearance for all the moving parts and for your toes (which ideally have space to move as well).
"But a gravel bike needs a much shorter geometry to be agile and fun on all surfaces. 700 x 50c tires simply don't fit inside such a geometry, you'll need to compromise with something halfway towards a mountain bike.
"Going to 650b on the other hand will give you a tyre that – despite being labeled differently – actually has a size that is very similar to all the 700c road tyres that good road geometries have been based on for over a century.
"A classic case of the more we change, the more things stay the same. Whereas hanging on to 700c may feel like keeping things the same, but actually makes the whole tyre much clumsier, throws off your geometry, fit, toe clearance, handling. So we top out our 700c tyre width at around 46mm WAM for the Ultra and then switch to 650b."
No suspension for the Exploro
While the Exploro's extreme tyre clearance is designed to allow riders to venture onto ever-rougher terrain, 3T has avoided adding suspension.
Gravel suspension is beginning to gain traction, whether that's proprietary systems offered by bike brands, such as the FutureShock on Specialized's Diverge, or aftermarket forks such as the RockShox Rudy Ultimate XPLR and Fox 32 TC Gravel.
However, 3T says suspension adds complexity and weight, negatively impacting a bike’s performance on tarmac and turning it into, in 3T's words, just a "bad mountain bike".
3T's take? "If the stuff you ride requires suspension, you may as well ride a good mountain bike. If it doesn't, then just keep it fast, light and efficient."
Instead, all the suspension is designed to come through the tyres. "Going from a 40mm, or even 50mm, tyre to a 61mm tyre is a game changer," according to 3T.
"And it's not just to add comfort, the grip of such a massive tyre is also, well, massive. Meaning you'll ride more and walk less on even the toughest terrain. And that helps again with the fun factor."
3T Exploro specs and availability
The Exploro Ultra is available now as a frameset in limited quantities, as well as for pre-orders for its full bike specs.
The Exploro Ultra frameset is priced at £2,999 / $3,199 / €3,099, while the bike will be available in both 650b and 700c Campagnolo Ekar builds, with Fulcrum Rapid Red wheels and either Vittoria Barzo 2.1in (650b) or Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M 44mm (750c) tyres.
Both are priced at £5,699 / $5,699 / €5,599.
There’s also a SRAM Force/Eagle AXS mullet build priced at £6,199 / $6,199 / €6,099 and a premium Crankbrothers edition at £8,699 / $8,199 / €8,199, with upgrades including 3T Discus i28 LTD wheels and a Crankbrothers Highline dropper seatpost.
3T Exploro Ultra Ekar 650b/700c
- Frame: Exploro Ultra carbon, Fango Ultra fork
- Drivetrain: Campagnolo Ekar 38T/9-42T
- Brakes: Campagnolo Ekar
- Wheels: Fulcrum Rapid Red 900
- Tyres: Vittoria Barzo 27.5in x 2.1in/Pirelli Cinturato Gravel M 700c x 42mm
- Bars: 3T Superergo LTD Carbon
- Stem: 3T Apto Stealth
- Seatpost: 3T round, zero offset
- Saddle: Selle Italia Model x Superflow
- Sizes: XXS, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
- Price: £5,699 / $5,699 / €5,599
3T Exploro Ultra Eagle
- Frame: Exploro Ultra carbon, Fango Ultra fork
- Drivetrain: SRAM Force eTap AXS shifters, SRAM Force AXS 40t chainring, SRAM Eagle XX1 AXS rear derailleur, SRAM Eagle 11-50t cassette
- Brakes: SRAM Force AXS
- Wheels: Fulcrum Rapid Red 900, 650b
- Tyres: Vittoria Barzo 27.5x2.1in
- Bar: 3T Superergo LTD Carbon
- Stem: 3T Apto Stealth
- Seatpost: 3T round, zero offset
- Saddle: Selle Italia Model x Superflow
- Sizes: XXS, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
- Price: £6,199 / $6,199 / €6,099
3T Exploro Ultra Crank Brothers Edition
- Frame: Exploro Ultra carbon, Fango Ultra fork
- Drivetrain: SRAM Force eTap AXS shifters, SRAM Force AXS 40t chainring, SRAM Eagle XX1 AXS rear derailleur, SRAM Eagle 11-50t cassette
- Brakes: SRAM Force AXS
- Wheels: 3T Discus i28 LTD, 650b
- Tyres: Vittoria Barzo 27.5x2.1in
- Bar: 3T Superghiaia LTD Carbon
- Stem: 3T Apto Stealth
- Seatpost: Crankbrothers Highline dropper seatpost
- Saddle: Selle Italia Model x Superflow
- Sizes: XXS, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61
- Price: £8,699 / $8,199 / €8,199
