Gravel bikes are arguably the perfect factor to hit the bike scene in latest reminiscence. I keep in mind first seeing them on the highway and trails a decade-and-a-half in the past, and being extraordinarily skeptical about what they dropped at the desk. That stated, since then, I’ve owned half-a-dozen gravel bikes. So it goes with out saying that that skepticism is lengthy gone.
Within the electrical bicycle scene, gravel bikes are taking the world by storm. Blurring the traces between sensible commuters and for-sport leisure autos, in the present day’s gravel bikes are light-weight, versatile, and tech laden. The brand new Gravital AXS from Spanish bike maker Crow is a primary instance of this. As its identify suggests, the Gravital AXS is rocking some premium componentry within the type of a Sram Rival AXS wi-fi drivetrain. It pairs this with a powertrain that’s decently punchy but compact, so compact actually, you can ditch all of it collectively and switch the bike right into a non-electric bike.
In fact, few e-bike powertrains are as compact as these from German firm Fazua. Within the Gravital AXS, it’s the Fazua 50 avenue motor that takes the highlight, not simply due to its streamlined efficiency, however due to how simply it may be personalized. The Fazua 50 packs an honest punch with a max output of 350 watts and 55 Nm of torque. Nevertheless, should you’re feeling the necessity to get a exercise in, you may ditch the motor fully and journey it as a non-electric bike.
On high of that, you’ve the choice of whether or not you’d like your fancy gravel bike to be made from aluminum or carbon. The Gravital SL 1 AXS, with its aluminum body and carbon fork, suggestions the scales at a powerful 14.5 kilos. In the meantime, the Gravital UL 2 AXS weighs in at simply 13.6 kilos – gentle sufficient to place some non-electric MTBs to disgrace. Throughout the board, the bikes share the aforementioned Fazua 50 motor and 252-watt-hour battery pack.
They’re additionally outfitted with the Sram Rival AXS 12-speed drivetrain that boasts fancy wi-fi shift expertise. The bikes roll on Fulcrum Fast Purple 500 wheels shod in Schwalbe G-One Chunk TLR rubber, and are available to a cease with hydraulic disc brakes.
In relation to pricing and availability, e-bikes with tech as fancy as this often don’t come low cost, and the brand new Gravital AXS is not any exception. The aluminum Gravital SL 1 AXS retails for 4,799 euros (about $5,289 USD), whereas the carbon Gravital UL 2 AXS carries an MSRP beginning at 5,599 euros (round $6,170 USD).