Test: The Colorado-based off-road specialists' gravel bike appeals to riders looking for long tours with luggage. But the Niner RLT9 RDO is also well-suited for sporty use. The US-based Niner brand is dedicated entirely to off-road riding. It started in 2004 with 29-inch single-speed MTBs, but bikes with drop handlebars were soon added to the range... read more
Test: The Rondo Ruut X stands out with its striking frame and interesting details; it impresses with its powerful propulsion and excellent maneuverability. Its sportiness also benefits long-distance riders. At Rondo in Poland, everything revolves around gravel bikes. The young company is based in the Baltic Sea city of Gdansk, quite a distance from the mountainous south of the country... read more
Test: With the Open UPPER, we tested an extremely lightweight and very sophisticated gravel bike – equipped with components from Easton, for whom the bike serves as a show bike. The UPPER demonstrates that compromises between road and gravel are possible and can be a lot of fun. Open UPPER: The Facts Frame material: Carbon Wheel size(s): 700c (650b ... read more
Test: With the Checkpoint, Trek launched its first gravel bike last season, competing for the gravel crown. The top-of-the-line Checkpoint SL 7 model impressed across the board in the test – if you can handle its very sporty basic setup. Trek Checkpoint SL 7: The Facts Frame material: Carbon Wheel size(s): 700c Maximum tire clearance: 45mm Axle spacing... read more
Test: Exotic bikes are always particularly exciting to test – the new manufacturer Vaast is fully committed to magnesium frames and, with the A/1 we tested, also has a hot new gravel iron in the fire. Perhaps we'll see more manufacturers relying on the new frame alloy in the future? Vaast A/1: The Facts Frame material: Magnesium Wheel size(s): 700c ... read more
