Test: At less than 1.5 euros, the BH Gravel X Alu 1.500 is part of the more affordable range, but it comes with a Shimano 105 group and light wheels. The aluminum frame also offers numerous mounting options for mudguards and luggage racks.
BH Gravel X Alu 1.5: The facts
Frame material: Aluminium
Wheel size(s): 700c
tire clearance: 45 mm
Axle dimensions (v/h): 12 × 100/142 × 12
Mudguard Eyelets: Ja
Luggage carrier eyelets (v/h): Yes / Yes (can be retrofitted)
bottle holder: down tube up, seat tube
Weight wheels v/h (with tires, cassette and discs): 1.540g / 2.040g
Weight complete bike without pedals (size M): 9,94kg
Price: € 1.399
The Spanish manufacturer offers three models in this segment, of which the 1.5 is the cheapest. The Gravel X Alu also moves in the border area between a sporty crosser and off-road touring bike: the seating position is moderately sporty, the steering behavior is balanced to agile; if you want, you can mount racks and mudguards. Unlike the sister model with SRAM Force 1.000×1, which is more than 11 euros more expensive, the test bike is more tailored to asphalt and dirt roads: The Hutchinson tires roll nice and fast on good ground thanks to their smooth tread and offer decent cornering grip on gravel paths and similar with the stronger profiled tire shoulder. The 50/34 chainring combination comes from racing bikes and, with the 11-34 cassette, results in a very large transmission range - albeit with rough gradations.
Geometry BH Gravel X
SM | MD | LA | XL | |
seat tube (in mm) | 500 | 520 | 540 | 560 |
Top tube horizontal (in mm) | 523 | 542 | 561 | 582 |
head tube (in mm) | 120 | 140 | 160 | 180 |
chainstay (in mm) | 428 | 428 | 428 | 428 |
Steering angle (in °) | 70,5 | 71,5 | 72 | 72 |
Seat angle (in °) | 73,75 | 73 | 72,75 | 72,5 |
Reach (mm) | 366 | 371 | 380 | 391,5 |
Stacks (in mm) | 535 | 562,7 | 583,6 | 602,6 |
frame | Gravel X Alloy 7005 |
suspension fork | Gravel X Carbon 1.5 |
Wheels | ShimanoRS370 |
Tubes | Hutchinson Overside 38mm |
derailleur | Shimano 105 |
Gear levers | Shimano 105 |
Crank | FSA Omega 50/34 |
Front derailleur | Shimano 105 |
Brake | Shimano BR-R517 |
Seat post | BH Lite 27,2 |
Saddle | Prologue Kappa RS |
Stem | BH SL |
Links | Bra Lite Compact |
Internal cable routing, carbon fork and thru-axles are up-to-date, and the bike from the Basque country looks very good anyway: The slightly curved hydroformed top tube, flat-pressed seat stays and the metallic shimmering paint finish create a high-quality impression.
BH has given the gravel crosser a complete Shimano 105, which is not a matter of course in this price range. Only the mechanical disc brakes are not ideal, as they have to be laboriously readjusted again and again. An upgrade to a mechanical-hydraulic system could be considered, but this is quite expensive. Nevertheless: The mechanical disc brakes do their job reliably and are better than their reputation.
BH Gravel X Alu 1.5 – Let's Gravel
The BH Gravel X offers a welcome change for everyone who primarily feels connected to the road. Especially when you are on an exploratory tour or new routes, you often find yourself at the end of the paved path. With a gravel racer that's not a problem at all. Due to the more profiled and wider tires, you can also tackle bad roads, forest paths and pieces of gravel in the best possible way. But the BH Gravel X was also able to convince on the road with very good rolling properties.
The weight of the gravel bike then comes into play on inclines. Due to the gear ratio and total weight, gradients of up to 10 or 12% should be easily feasible on forest roads. On really steep, short ramps, as you are used to with cyclocross, you reach your limits mainly because of the gear ratio. The tires also seemed a bit too slippery for explicit cross use, especially on a damp surface. In our opinion, the BH Gravel X is perfect for anyone who wants a little variety in their training, especially in autumn, or who likes to be on the go without restrictions. The BH is particularly convincing on slightly hilly routes alternating between forest and asphalt roads.
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