Propain has launched the Terrel CF as its first gravel bike, nodding to the brand's downhill mountain biking roots while remaining an all-rounder.
While the Terrel CF is compatible with dropper posts and gravel suspension forks, Propain says the Terrel CF's frame stiffness and geometry also suit faster riding.
The entry-level Propain Terrel CF costs £2,599 / $2,599 / €2,599 and the range-topping model is priced at £4,999/ $4,999 /€4,999.
“The perfect modern gravel bike”
Propain admits it is “late to the [gravel] party”. But it says it wanted to see how the market developed and take its time to make, what it calls, the “perfect modern gravel bike”.
With this in mind, Propain has tried to maximise the Terrel CF’s versatility.
For adventure riding, the frame is peppered with mounts to fit gravel mudguards, bottles and bikepacking bags. You can also run a mullet drivetrain to make your gearing easier.
Propain claims the gravel bike can fit a 50mm tyre to enable it to handle rough terrain.
But the brand says it hasn’t neglected speed: the ability to run single and double chainrings will appeal to those looking for a wider gear range to hit higher speed on and off-road.
Propain Terrel CF frame
Propain says a size-medium frame weighs 1,090g. While that’s heavier than most gravel race bikes, it’s still light for an all-round gravel bike.
The Blend Carbon material is more compliant around the seatstays to improve seated comfort, according to Propain.
Greater stiffness elsewhere is claimed to optimise pedalling efficiency – Propain says the Terrel CF can keep up on road group rides.
From the semi-integrated cockpit, where cables pass under the stem into the headset, the Terrel CF’s cables are routed internally.
In addition to frame mounts, the Terrel CF has a down tube storage compartment for spares and a tubeless repair kit, for example.
The Terrel CF comes with MTB-style frame protection, such as a chainstay guard and down tube protector.
Propain has chosen a T47 bottom bracket for its durability and ease of maintenance.
The Terrel CF uses the SRAM UDH to make it easier to replace the hanger and to ensure compatibility with SRAM Transmission rear derailleurs.
You can fit flat-mount disc brakes up to 180mm in size to provide sufficient stopping power on long, fast descents, according to Propain.
Propain Terrel CF geometry
Propain says the Terrel CF’s geometry is gravity-inspired but not MTB-lite.
The Terrel CF combines a fairly long reach, short stem, moderate stack, slack head angle and steep seat tube angle.
Propain claims this delivers light and natural handling, and a comfortable and efficient riding position.
The Terrel CF comes with a rigid fork. However, Propain says the “suspension-corrected” geometry was conceived for a 40mm-travel suspension fork.
It claims to have adjusted the height of the rigid fork to take account of this.
The Terrel is available in five sizes: XS, S, M, L and XL.
| Frame size | XS | S | M | L | XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standover height (mm) | 470 | 510 | 525 | 545 | 570 |
| Fork offset (mm) | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| Fork length (mm) | 425 | 425 | 425 | 425 | 425 |
| Head tube length (mm) | 98 | 116 | 130 | 154 | 177 |
| Reach (mm) | 382 | 396 | 405 | 412 | 430 |
| Stack (mm) | 554 | 568 | 583 | 608 | 632 |
| Head angle (degrees) | 69.5 | 70.0 | 70.5 | 71.0 | 71.5 |
| Seat angle (degrees) | 74.3 | 73.5 | 73.5 | 73.5 | 73.5 |
| Top tube length (mm) | 538 | 564 | 578 | 592 | 617 |
| BB Drop (mm) | 77 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 |
| Chainstay length (mm) | 435 | 435 | 435 | 435 | 435 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1,037 | 1,053 | 1,063 | 1,073 | 1,094 |
Propain Terrel CF builds and specifications
There are four stock builds of the Terrel CF. Propain says you can also customise your build on its website.
You can choose either a Terracotta Gloss or Raw Matt colour scheme for the frame.
The Base Propain Terrel CF starts the range at £2,599 / $2,599 / €2,599 and is built around a 1x Shimano GRX drivetrain. Its DT Swiss G1800 wheelset rolls on Schwalbe G-One Overland tyres.
Next up is the Adventure Propain Terrel CF at £3,199 / $3,199 / €3,199. It upgrades to a 2x Shimano GRX groupset and Newmen G34 Fade wheels.
At £4,079 / $4,079 / €4,079, the Trail Propain Terrel CF looks like the most technically capable build. The Trail swaps to a RockShox Rudy gravel suspension fork and a Rockshox Reverb AXS dropper post.
A SRAM Apex / GX mullet drivetrain, DT Swiss G1800 wheels and Continental Terra Trail tyres make up the rest of the build.
The name and spec of the Competition Propain Terrel CF suggest the top-of-the-range model is designed for gravel racing.
Costing £4,999 / $4,999 / €4,999, the Competition keeps weight to a claimed 8.05kg with carbon finishing kit, a SRAM Force XPLR groupset, a DT Swiss GRC 1400 wheelset and Continental Terra Speed tyres.
Terrel CF Base
- Price: £2,599 / $2,599 / €2,599
- Groupset: Shimano GRX 1x
- Handlebar: Sixpack Gravel Line AL
- Seatpost: Sixpack Gravel Line CF
- Tyres: Schwalbe Overland
- Wheelset: DT Swiss G1800
- Fork: Terrel CF
- Saddle: Selle Italia Model X Superflow
- Claimed weight: 9.5kg
Terrel CF Adventure
- Price: £3,199 / $3,199 / €3,199
- Groupset: Shimano GRX 2x
- Handlebar: Sixpack Gravel Line AL
- Seatpost: Sixpack Gravel Line CF
- Tyres: Schwalbe Overland
- Wheelset: Newmen G34 Fade wheels
- Fork: Terrel CF
- Saddle: Selle Italia Model X Superflow
- Claimed weight: 8.8kg
Terrel CF Trail
- Price: £4,079 / $4,079 / €4,079
- Groupset: SRAM Apex / GX Transmission
- Handlebar: Sixpack Gravel Line AL
- Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS
- Tyres: Continental Terra Trail
- Wheelset: DT Swiss G1800
- Fork: Terrel CF
- Saddle: Selle Italia Model X Superflow
- Claimed weight: 10.15kg
Terrel CF Competition
- Price: £4,999 / $4,999 / €4,999
- Groupset: SRAM Force XPLR
- Handlebar: Sixpack Gravel Line CF
- Seatpost: Sixpack Gravel Line CF
- Tyres: Continental Terra Speed
- Wheelset: DT Swiss GRC 1400
- Fork: TerreL CF
- Saddle: Selle Italia Model X Superflow
- Claimed weight: 8.05kg
