GT GRADE CARBON Bike Of The Year
The Ultimate Gravel Experience
Scott Windsor
SPECIAL THANKS TO BIKERADAR.COM FOR THE IMAGES
AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE!
The GT GRADE CARBON PRO LE has taken the crown for Bike of the Year 2024. This gravel bike is all about excellence. Designed for those who crave adventure, it’s ready to tackle any terrain. The combination of high-modulus carbon fiber for the head tube, bottom bracket, and chainstays with low-modulus fibers for the seatstays ensures a perfect blend of stiffness and comfort.
Scott Windsor
Cutting-Edge Frame Design
The GT GRADE CARBON boasts a unique frame. The signature floating triple-triangle design allows the seat stays to extend past the seat tube, anchoring on the top tube. This innovative design enables the seat tube to flex at the bottom bracket without being anchored by the stays, enhancing comfort without compromising performance. The reinforced glass-fiber material in the seatstays adds to this flex, offering a smooth ride over rough terrains.
Scott Windsor
Smooth and Comfortable Rides
Enjoy the smoothest rides with the GT GRADE CARBON. The combination of carbon and glass fiber in the frame provides an unmatched level of comfort. The seat tube’s leaf-spring shape allows for approximately 30mm of travel, offering a cushioning effect on bumpy roads. This setup ensures that long rides are not only manageable but enjoyable, reducing fatigue and enhancing your overall riding experience.
Scott Windsor
The GT Grade Carbon Has Perfect Geometry
The GT GRADE CARBON PRO geometry is spot on for off-road adventures. A slack head angle of 70 degrees and a steep 73-degree seat angle improve power transfer and stability. The suspension-corrected frame allows for a longer carbon fork and a shorter head tube, improving handling and control. The lower bottom bracket drop accommodates larger gravel tires, enhancing stability on uneven surfaces.
Scott Windsor
Top-Notch Components
The GT GRADE CARBON PRO LE is equipped with Shimano’s latest 1x 12-speed GRX RX820 groupset. This setup includes a 40-tooth chainring paired with a 10-45-tooth cassette, providing versatile gearing for various terrains. The GRX hydraulic disc brakes, with 160mm rotors, offer precise braking power. The WTB wheelset, with its 2.0 version of the ST i23 TCS rim, ensures durability and performance. The Vulpine tires, with their dual compound tread, offer excellent grip and speed both on and off-road.
Scott Windsor
Unmatched Stability
The GT GRADE CARBON fork features a 55mm offset, resulting in a 72mm trail with 40c tires. This setup promotes steady and stable steering responses, giving you confidence on technical trails and descents. Whether you’re navigating sharp turns or cruising on straight paths, the GT GRADE CARBON ensures you remain in control. If you missed it, see last weeks concept bike THE GLIDE TRACK BIKE
Scott Windsor
Ready for Any Challenge
Mudguards or no mudguards? The GT GRADE CARBON offers flexibility with a removable mudguard bridge. This gravel bike can handle gravel tires up to 50mm without mudguards and 45mm with them. This adaptability ensures that the GT GRADE CARBON is ready for any weather conditions and terrain challenges, making it a versatile choice for all-year riding.
Scott Windsor
Competitive Pricing
The GT GRADE CARBON PRO LE is a top-spec model that competes well against other high-end gravel bikes. With its advanced features and superior performance, it offers great value. Compared to similar models like Trek’s Checkpoint and Cannondale’s Topstone Carbon 2, the GT GRADE CARBON provides a competitive edge in both price and performance.
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