German firm AX-Lightness has revealed details on a forthcoming gravel bike that’s set for release in early 2017. A first of this kind from the company, the Vial evo Gravel can be seen as a hybrid of the company’s existing Vial evo and Vial evo XC road and mountain bikes.
- AX-Lightness releases featherweight 15lb hardtail
- AX-Lightness factory tour
- Behold, the 4.8kg AX-Lightness Vial evo Ultra eTap
The all-new carbon frameset is optimised for 1x drivetrains and will accept either 700c or 27.5n wheels, the former offering (1.6in) 40mm of tyre clearance and the latter a full (2.1in) or 53mm.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an AX-Lightness without an impressively low claimed weight — and, although no exact figure is quoted, AX says it is aiming for a frame weight of between 800-900g.
The prototype shown in these pictures is built up to a smidge under the UCI weight limit at 6.7kg and features SRAM’s Force 1 groupset and AX-Lightness’ own Ultra 27.5C clincher wheelset.
Anyone lucky enough to head along to this year’s Eurobike show will be able to see the prototype for themselves.
The news follows earlier announcements of a 4.8kg SRAM eTap-equipped road bike and ultra-lightweight 15lb mountain bike from the firm.
