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GT GRADE CARBON X
This weeks “Bicycle of the Week” is a 2023 GT Grade Carbon X. Embracing the cycling community by storm, gravel bikes have swiftly become the preferred choice for riders seeking adventure beyond the confines of pavement. Seamlessly transitioning from smooth roads to rugged terrains, the GT Grade Carbon X Bike stands as a pinnacle of innovation. Moreover, this exceptional two-wheeler boasts enhanced compliance, unparalleled versatility, and precise adjustability. This results in, redefining your entire riding experience.
GT RETAINS THE FLOATING TRIPE TRIANGLE DESIGN
Propel yourself towards swifter speeds, greater distances, and heightened fun with the incorporation of the Rockshox Rudy XPLR 40mm travel fork and the 50mm Trans-X dropper post. Preserving GT’s distinctive philosophy, the novel frame seamlessly integrates their renowned floating triple triangle design. This innovation harmoniously merges the head tube, bottom bracket, and chainstays using high-modulus, exceptionally rigid carbon fiber. Meanwhile, the seatstays embrace low-modulus fibers to amplify comfort. As well as, the mid-modulus materials find their place throughout other sections of the frame.
The tire clearance is now larger. It now accommodates up to 50c without mudguards and 45c with them installed. Continuing its practical features, the Grade Carbon model maintains its removable mudguard/fender bridge. Notably, the latest Grade Carbon iteration has made the transition to a threaded bottom bracket, enhancing its overall design.
According to GT, the alteration in head tube angle extends outward, strategically enhancing control during rapid, uneven, and intricate gravel rides. Remarkably, this adjustment maintains precise steering even during uphill climbs, without sacrificing responsiveness.
THE GT CARBON GRADE X NOW ALLOWS FOR LARGER TIRE SIZES
The GT Grade Carbon X features significant geometry refinements to enhance its gravel-specific performance capabilities. In response to evolving rider requirements and terrain demands, the bottom bracket drop has been elevated to 75mm from the previous generation’s 70mm. This 5mm increase in BB height directly addresses ground clearance requirements and accommodates modern gravel tire configurations, supporting both 700c x 42mm and 650b x 47mm tire options without compromising pedal clearance on technical terrain.
The frame geometry has been further optimized with a reach extension to 425mm (previously 400mm), coupled with a corresponding stack reduction of 9mm to achieve 603mm. This revised front triangle geometry creates a longer front-center measurement, fundamentally altering the bike’s weight distribution characteristics. The increased reach measurement, combined with size-specific chainstay lengths ranging from 430mm to 435mm, establishes a more balanced wheelbase that enhances stability across varying surface conditions.
GT’s engineering team has implemented these geometric modifications to achieve two primary objectives: optimized weight distribution and increased setup versatility. The lengthened front-center creates a more centered rider position, resulting in improved weight distribution between the wheels. This balanced weight allocation enhances traction and handling predictability, particularly crucial when navigating loose gravel, technical singletrack, and varying surface transitions. Additionally, the revised geometry accommodates multiple handlebar configurations, including traditional drops, flared gravel-specific bars (ranging from 12 to 24 degrees), and alternative options like the trending all-road butterfly bars, without compromising the bike’s inherent handling characteristics.
The adjusted geometry metrics also influence the bike’s trail measurement, which now sits at 61mm (with a 700c x 38mm tire), striking a balance between high-speed stability and low-speed maneuverability. This is achieved through a 71.5-degree head tube angle working in conjunction with a 50mm fork offset, creating handling characteristics that remain consistent across the full size range.
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