Gravel-themed product round-up: eBikes, groupsets and shoes

Friday, 2 August 2024 Jonathon Harker

Our latest new product round-up has a gravel theme, with fresh gear from EBCO, SRAM and fizik, and for good reason:

The percentage of UK independent cycle retailers with a strong leaning towards the gravel sector is 50% – a statistic that will be familiar if you’ve had a look at CIN’s 2024 Market Data. That data also details how the majority of bike shops (53%) are maintaining the same floor space they dedicate to the gravel sector, while almost a third (31%) are allocating more space to gravel. So, there’s little wonder why there is plenty of fresh products targeting that market. Pre-amble aside, bring on the gravel-themed product…

EBCO Adventure 2

EBCO, part of the TVS Group, has added to its Adventure range with the Adventure 2, a lightweight, flat-bar gravel bike ready to perform off-road and gravel-ready.

Priced at £1,499, it features a Bafang motor, Shimano groupset, 360Wh LG Cell battery and upgraded lighting, delivering exceptional value and premium quality, the firm said. It’s another eBike that EBCO has developed in partnership with its dealers and based on customer feedback.

“This bike isn’t just another model in our line-up; it’s a testament to our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction,” said Chris Needs, Head of EBCO. “The Adventure 2 embodies the spirit of exploration and freedom that defines our brand. We are excited to offer this new bike to our customers and look forward to seeing the adventures it inspires.”

Dealers can contact EBCO at 01926 437700 or via sales@ebco.co.uk.

SRAM RED XPLR AXS

Touted as the brand’s most advanced gravel groupset yet, the SRAM RED XPLR AXS (try saying that quickly three times) features a 13-speed 10-46T range so riders are always in the right gear. Featuring precise shifts with tight jumps between cogs, the XPLR AXS promises to keep you in the gearing sweet spot. The Full Mount derailleur that fits on frames with the UDH interface ensures the system can handle whatever is thrown at it. SRAM said it also features ‘true one-finger braking’ and significant weight reductions, efficiently helping convert all that effort into propelling riders forward.

The premium gravel and all-road carbon bar, Zipp SL 70 XPLR, is designed to pair with the SRAM RED XPLR AXS groupset. This carbon handlebar is purpose-built for gravel and roads beyond, built for optimum functionality, ergonomics and comfort for hours of rough riding over mixed terrain. Meanwhile the Zipp 303 XPLR S and SW wheelsets are SRAM’s fastest gravel wheels ever, thanks to their mega-wide and deep rim that integrates with gravel tyres.

Dealers should head to distributor ZyroFisher for more details.

Limited edition off-road shoes from fizik

Rounding out our gravel new product round-up are limited edition versions of fizik’s popular Ferox Carbon and Atlas gravel shoes in bold, new Team Amani and Black Mamba colourways.

fizik said the Ferox Carbon and Atlas have built their reputations as pioneering gravel shoes, much like the Team Amani and Black Mamba riders have on the gravel racing scene. To celebrate those achievements, fizik has unveiled two new designs, both inspired by the wildlife of Kenya.

The Ferox Carbon Team Amani shoe deploys a dual closure system, where the instep and forefoot are independently adjustable for a secure, bespoke fit (using Powerstrap and Li2 BOA Fit systems). The stiff sole is trail-ready, utilising Z1 carbon and a rubber outsole. Ferox’s weight is kept low due to an innovative upper construction where a polyurethane-laminated material is incorporated over a translucent and comfortable mesh.

The Atlas remains one of the most versatile off-road shoes in the fizik range; equally capable of handling fast and fun down country laps, epic all-mountain rides, long-distance backcountry adventures and drop bar gravel grinding.