Testing the Storck Grix Pro CX Extreme Gravel Bike: Lively newcomer with a huge fun factor

Test: With the Storck Grix, the premium German manufacturer is now also getting involved in the gravel market - and how! With its sporty orientation, the option of 650b tyres, a light overall package and lots of mounting options, the Storck Gravelbike is a versatile fun machine.

Storck Grix Pro CX Extreme: The facts

Frame material: Carbon
Wheel size(s): 650b (also 700c mobile)
Maximum tire clearance: 2,1″ (650b) / 42mm (700cc)
Axle dimensions (v/h): 12 × 100/142 × 12
Mudguard Eyelets: Ja
Luggage carrier eyelets (v/h): Yes / Yes
bottle holder: Down tube up, down tube down, seat tube
Other: Eyelets on the top tube

Weight wheels v/h/total (with tires and brake discs): 1.470g / 1.555g / 3.025g
Weight complete bike without pedals (size M): 8,50kg
Price: € 5.698

Versatile gravel bike with wow effect

Storck is one of the veterans in the German bicycle industry, especially in the racing bike sector - all the more astonishing that Gravel-affine Storck fans had to wait for a suitable bike until now. But it was worth it! The Grix Pro is a logical new development and combines numerous features that we believe make a high-quality, versatile, modern gravel bike. The carbon frame and fork can cope with a tire width of 42mm in 28″ and a whopping 2,1″ on the smaller 650b, there are a variety of mounting eyelets for bottle holders, front and rear racks, fenders and bags and there are equipment variants for asphalt cowboys and gravel racers alike .

Let's stay with the frame of the Grix Pro for a moment: In addition to the features mentioned, it also pleases with well thought-out details such as the chainstays that are pulled low. This trick not only gives the Grix Pro an extremely striking look, but is also intended to reduce chain slap to a minimum when off-road. It goes without saying that such a high-quality bike is equipped with quick-release axles at the front and rear and a full carbon fork.

A look at the geometry data clearly shows the sporty roots of Storck and also those of the Grix Pro. Anyone looking for a comfortable tourer and an upright seating position is clearly wrong here. On the other hand, if you want to let the gravel fly, only feel comfortable with a slightly raised saddle and want to send your watts out of your thighs directly into the drive, you should have found the perfect gravel bike with the Grix Pro.

The best gravel bike of 2021? We have nominated our 10 favourites:

At its best: equipment with virtually no weak points

The Storck Grix Pro CX Extreme attracted many interested looks when it arrived in the editorial office. Visually, with its 2,1″ wide Schwalbe tires, small wheels and very clean look, it is far from the same. The next wow effect comes with lifting; Despite the thick tires, the size M bike weighs just 8,5 kg without pedals. In addition to the light frame set, the high-quality, elegant equipment in particular plays a part in this. Storck is asking almost 5.700 euros for this equipment variant, but as a buyer you also get a "full chapel": It is shifted with a combination of the Sram Force AXS STIs and the brand new Sram Eagle AXS rear derailleur - of course completely wireless. The 10-50 12-speed cassette in the oil-slick look offers a whopping 500% range and even surpasses some classic racing bike drives with two rotors at the front, even without a front derailleur. Appropriately, the Sram Force disc brakes slow it down.

Next highlight wheel set: Here too, the DT Swiss XRC1200 is only the finest - the massive carbon rims reduce the wheel weight to just over 3kg despite the thick tires - the combination is optically a highlight anyway and the DT Swiss 240 inner workings including toothed disc freewheel promises many carefree kilometers. The 2,1″ wide Rocket Ron tires from Schwalbe offer plenty of volume on the 22,5mm wide rims to ensure grip and comfort on bad ground, but thanks to the restrained profile they roll hardly worse than a classic gravel tire. If you want, you can of course also ride classic wheels with 700c rims without any problems. Here the 42mm tire width is the end - a great option for a second wheel set to trim the Grix Pro for off-road or long-distance suitability depending on the area of ​​application.

When it comes to the other add-on parts, the carbon handlebar-stem combination in particular catches the eye. It fits like a glove with the clean look of the Grix Pro and, with its negative inclination, underlines the already sporty orientation of the Storck gravel all-rounder. That's our only criticism of it; If you want to fine-tune the seating position or cockpit ergonomics afterwards, you can hardly avoid buying a new stem and handlebars.

Let's Gravel: The Storck Grix Pro CX Extreme

The Storck Grix Pro CX Extreme differs greatly from many gravel bikes after just a few meters of riding. This is basically meant to be completely non-judgmental. But it's not just the look, as already mentioned, you can feel right away when you start riding that there's something different about this bike. Hardly any other gravel bike is as playful, agile and direct as the Storck Grix Pro CX Extreme. It is almost reminiscent of a crosser on steroids, but without completely ignoring the smooth running and comfort that are so important for gravel bikes. The large-volume tires in particular and the low-slung rear end give the bike a lot of comfort without sacrificing liveliness. So this gravel bike invites you to have a lot of fun.

Once you've sat down in the saddle, you just want to step on the gas and really give the Grix its spurs. This is where the impressively low weight and first-class wheels come into play, which ensure incredible liveliness. As a result, you really only want to accelerate and sprint with the Storck. All of these features are extremely fun, but can also become a disadvantage when smoother running is needed at higher speeds. Because this is where the lively newcomer can get a little nervous.

As already mentioned, the equipment is of extremely high quality. The Sram wireless combination does its part and works precisely and smoothly with impressive bandwidth. First-class ergonomics of the saddle and handlebar-stem combination ensure a comfortable ride and also make longer tours a pleasure. There are only small deductions because those who cannot get along with the cockpit have to carry out a complex conversion to stem and handlebars or a new cockpit, since the setting options are very limited here. The suitability for everyday use of the Storck Grix Pro CX Extreme is raised to a very high level by the generous accessory compatibility and also enables multi-day bikepacking tours.

Here you can find all the articles and tests currently published in the Velomotion Gravel Month of February: