Two cycling industry veterans with more than 35 years of experience have launched a new bike brand called Avona.
Billed as a “performance first” brand, Avona is debuting new road, gravel and mountain bikes, all three of which are claimed to “rival the best” in their category.
The mountain bike is claimed to be “the lightest full-suspension frame on the market".
Let’s take a closer look at the people behind Avona, its three new bikes and how the brand plans to outshine the competition.
Always one step ahead
Avona is a joint project between two Germans – Jonas Müller, formerly of Arc8, BMC, Santa Cruz and DT Swiss, and Max Koch of MK Bicycles.
Having created countless bikes and components for other brands, Müller is now going it alone with the help of Koch.
It’s fair to say Avona enters a highly competitive market, at a time when the industry is still facing tough times due to the fallout from global shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, among other things.
Given we already have the likes of Canyon, Cube and Rose, you might find yourself asking whether the world needs another German brand promising efficient carbon bikes at reasonable prices.
Fortunately, though, Avona has more than a few tricks up its sleeve to help it stand out from the crowd.
Compared to the three brands just mentioned, for example, Müller says Avona will have the advantage of being a small company that can react to emerging trends more quickly and easily – helping it stay ahead of the pack.
Holistic performance
A key part of Avona’s “holistic approach to performance” centres around the brand’s components, for example.
Avona’s three bikes are, as you’d imagine, said to be competitive with the best available in each category, in terms of aerodynamics, stiffness, weight, ride quality and so on.
This is thanks to the brand's use of advanced development tools such as CFD modelling, wind tunnel testing and virtual prototyping.
However, there are “greater gains” in getting the bike fit and component selection right than in frame development alone, says Müller, and that’s where Avona intends to make the difference.
Avona bikes are assembled to order in Germany, says Müller, which means riders can make critical choices surrounding crank length, handlebar width and stem length, and customise the spec to get their preferred tyres, wheels and suspension (where applicable).
The brand is even going as far as to spec CeramicSpeed waxed chains on every bike.
“Drivetrain efficiency is overlooked by most bike brands,” Müller says, and the performance benefits of a waxed chain are “worth more than an expensive groupset”.
According to the brand, the potential gains from this approach are significant.
It claims, for example, that its gravel bike – the Callis – requires 44 fewer watts to ride at 35kph compared to an unnamed benchmark competitor.
Müller notes, though, that only four of those watts are saved via frame optimisations, with the remaining savings coming through smart spec choices – such as the Hutchinson Caracal Race gravel tyres, integrated cockpit and aero wheels.
You could, of course, make such upgrades to stock bikes from other brands, but you’d obviously need to go out of your way (and spend extra money) to do so, because most brands don’t offer such detailed customisation options at the point of purchase.
Avona bikes range and spec details
Avona Silva mountain bike
As already noted, Avona says its Silva carbon mountain bike is “the lightest full suspension frame on the market”, with a complete frameset weighing only 1,764 (painted size M frame including rear shock, chainstay protection and chain guide).
According to the brand, the Silva marries the weight of a cross-country bike with the descending prowess of an enduro bike.
This is because, Avona says, descents are “where the bike makes a difference”.
The Silva platform is designed around 105 to 115mm of travel at the rear and 120 to 130mm up-front, with a slack, 65-degree head tube angle.
Available in two sizes (M and L), Avona says a complete size-M bike weighs 10.17kg with a SRAM GX Eagle AXS Transmission groupset and Newmen Phase 30 light wheels.
Prices start from €3,499 for the frameset, Faserwerk Baslerstab integrated handlebar and Fox Float SL Factory rear shock, and rise to €11,999 for a complete build with a SRAM Eagle XX SL groupset and a RockShox SID Flight Attendant fork.
Avona Callis gravel bike
The Callis is Avona’s gravel race bike, with an aerodynamically optimised carbon frameset and clearance for 50mm-wide tyres.
Avona claims a clear-coat painted frame weight of 950 to 1,020g, depending on frame size and including a front derailleur hanger, while the matching fork is said to weigh 463g uncut.
Beyond aerodynamic considerations, the rear end of the bike is said to be optimised for comfort – which the brand says “significantly reduces the power required to roll over rough surfaces”.
The slender Faserwerk Wuthocker Aero seatpost, for example, is claimed to have the compliance of a 27.2mm round seatpost, while still offering an efficiency benefit. Likewise, the sloping top tube enables more seatpost to be exposed, for a greater amount of flex.
There are also small, but important details, such as a sealed upper-headset bearing cover to improve bearing life and an integrated down tube storage port.
In terms of geometry, there are four sizes (S to XL) and Avona says it opted to keep the “agility and responsiveness of a road bike”, rather than straying “too deep into MTB territory”.
Prices start at €3,499 for the frameset, integrated cockpit and seatpost, and rise to €9,999 for a complete build with SRAM Red XPLR AXS and DT Swiss wheels.
A complete Avona Callis with Shimano GRX Di2 R825 and carbon gravel wheels is claimed to weigh 8.26kg in a size L.
Avona Velum road bike
Avona’s Velum road bike takes a similar all-rounder racer approach as the Callis, with a balance of aerodynamic optimisations and comfort-enhancing features.
While the Velum is still in development (Avona says it’s set to launch in the autumn), it claims a 730g weight for an unpainted size-54cm frame, alongside clearance for 35mm-wide tyres.
Like the Callis, the Velum will feature an integrated cockpit and slim aero seatpost, with extensive build customisation options.
Pricing will be confirmed when the Velum is eventually available, but Avona says it expects it to be “comparable” to the Callis.
