Test Maxcycles Gravel Lite: The manufacturer from the Münsterland, known for light, individually built trekking and touring bikes, presents its first gravel bike. And that pleases with sporty driving characteristics and expansion options suitable for everyday use, even if the individualization is not that far away.
Anyone who is interested in everyday, touring and touring bikes and also looks around outside the mainstream has certainly heard the name Maxcycles before. The company has been in existence for a good 30 years and has specialized in individually built bicycles of these types. Numerous options can be selected using the online configurator, which in the case of e-bikes even extends to the motor variant, as well as relevant assemblies such as gearshift, brakes and lighting system. The order and delivery are then processed via the specialist trade.
Focus on individual construction
Frequent drivers in particular who have special requests for the material feel that this approach appeals to them, because they cannot find what they are looking for from many brands. Anyone who wants a specific luggage rack, prefers a rigid fork or has clear ideas about gearing will get what they are looking for from the company from the Münsterland. And because individually assembled bicycles tend to weigh less than standard bodies, Maxcycles has also made a name for itself in terms of lightweight construction, which is now lived up to with full carbon e-bikes, for example.
In general, "Lite" is an nickname for quite a few models in the range that were never specifically sporty - but are often innovative, for example with full-suspension trekking bikes. The Gravel Lite is now the first "dropbar bike" from Maxcycles (i.e. a bike with racing handlebars), and of course that makes you curious: Can the touring bike experts stand up to the established sports brands?
Monochrome in great variety
Visually, the Gravel Lite comes across as simple as is typical of the brand; the color is of course only to be understood as an example. In addition to the standard matt black variant, countless RAL colors can be selected (surcharge 129 euros), and there are also a handful of metallic colors (+ 189 euros). Macycles relies on the proven BSA bottom bracket standard; The brake line and gear cable are routed neatly through the down tube. Underneath the paint is an aluminum frame with a pretty unique geometry: the wheelbase is long – on the test bike in size 51 it measures over 1,08 meters – the head angle is rather flat at 70°, the seat tube is short, which makes the silhouette clear sloping top tube results. The seat geometry is quite sporty, but is mitigated by a stem that is only 80 mm short and handlebars that are 2 cm higher.
Maxcycles Gravel Lite: Handy and powerful
The long wheelbase in particular indicates good-natured handling, but in practice the Gravel Lite proves to be agile and handy. At a brisk pace, the bike can be steered playfully, at a slow pace it doesn't feel wobbly at all; thanks to the rigid frame, it is extremely powerful. In terms of riding comfort, neither the bulky carbon fork nor the aluminum seat post have much to offer; However, the Schwalbe G-One Bite on the test bike have decent reserves – even if the 45 mm tires on the Shimano GRX wheel set are just 42 mm wide.
The fairly light Shimano GRXWH-RX570 with aluminum tubeless rims are not necessarily tailored to wide tires with an inner width of 21,6 mm, but otherwise they look pretty convincing. If you select the standard wheel set in the configurator, the wheel will of course be almost 500 euros cheaper. So why not choose the basic variant and use the money as a basis for a noble second wheel set?
Options for circuit and wheelset
When it comes to customizing the Gravel Lite, the wheelset is one of the two most important elements in terms of components. The other thing is the gears: the bike is also available with 100×2 gears for 11 euros more. Otherwise there are different tires to choose from, as well as three saddle models. It gets interesting if you plan to use the Maxcycles as an everyday Graveller: for 129 euros there is a tour package consisting of mudguards, luggage rack, side stand and bell - the sporty everyday bike is ready. And the lighting? When it comes to gravel bikes, Maxcycles unfortunately only offers a luxury version with a SON radiator and dynamo, which costs a whopping 579 euros extra. Too bad, because with a cable duct in the fork and corresponding holes in the down tube, the Gravel Lite is actually made for building a sporty, fully equipped randonneur.
High quality equipment in the middle price range
Of course, none of this detracts from the bike itself. As an aluminum gravel bike in the mid-range price range, it's convincing, and you have to be very specific to really miss anything. There are no holes on the top tube and no third bottle holder can be mounted under the down tube; Of course, not all Gravel fans make use of these opportunities. In terms of equipment, the bike is top-notch with Shimano GRX-RX 810/600: The 800 levers allow precise gear changes in every situation and the brakes are excellently controllable; with a 40 chainring and 11-42 cassette there is a very large translation range. The only point of criticism are the thru-axles with quick-release levers, which are rather awkward to use - but they can easily be exchanged for normal thru-axles.
“Lite” is of course relative and stands for exactly ten kilos and eight grams including the platform pedals supplied (228 g/pair) on the Maxcycles gravel bike. For an aluminum Graveller, this is a solid value that in no way has a negative effect on driving dynamics. With this knowledge, you only have to choose your favorite color in the Maxcycles configurator...
Website: maxcycles.de
