2021 3T Exploro RaceMax Review: The Fastest Gravel Bike in the World?
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- Опубліковано 31 лип 2024
- This is my very in-depth review of the radical 3T Exploro RaceMax, the successor to the first generation aero gravel bike the Exploro. As well as sharing my ride impressions and a deep dive into all the tech features, I’ve also answered your questions. Hope you enjoy
3T website www.3t.bike/en/223-exploro-race
Sponsored by Giro
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Aether MIPS Helmet - tinyurl.com/ycpxnmmh
Giro Rincon MTB Shoe - tinyurl.com/y5kolts9
Proof gloves - tinyurl.com/fzh5yhut
Peloton Cap - tinyurl.com/ymtfbqaz
Review sections
00:00 Introduction
1:19 Tyre Clearance Issues?
3:29 Road Bike Comparison
6:39 Frame Tech Details
11:35 Campagnolo Ekar
13:04 3T Discus 40|45 LTD wheels
14:28 Finishing Equipment + Weight
15:23 Ride and Handling
17:55 Compared to Rival Gravel Bikes
20:40 Final Verdict
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Can't imagine a better review. Thanks for answering the questions too!
Thank you very much for the Review, it was a relly good one. Thanks for covering all the questions I could think of, for delivering it in a positive/constructive tone and for the very very helpful comparisons to other bikes.
Amazing review. Very thorough and liked how you compared it to competing bikes to add context. Great job!
Incredibly informative review as usual from you. Great job 👏
This is the best review you have ever made. Sooo nice the you compare it to other gravel bikes. bid thus up from Denmark
Best review I’ve seen on this bike! I ordered mine in July and received it in Dec and the 700c 45/40 wheel set arrived a month later. It was rough watching the later summer and Fall go by waiting but Covid wreaked it’s havoc. I’m running a 2X with SRAM AXS e-tap since I was coming from a pure road background. I don’t think I would get as much road enjoyment from this bike without a large front chainring. An issue I have experienced though is the very tight chain clearances between the bottom bracket and the crankset. I am running 40mm Pirelli H Gravel tires right now and they are good all arounders but when the weather improves I am looking to run some slicker 35mm’s for better road speed. I’m also anxious to get a 650b wheel set with some 60mm’s on there and trying some local singletrack. Your comments were spot on about lugging some extra mud around due to the wide frame but tire clearance with mud has not been an issue. As for the top tube I have found a custom bag maker who can accommodate the bolt pattern. One thing I have found is I tend to need to travel with the bike for gravel routes so buying a decent car rack is an added expense. I would be interested in a follow-up review of this bike fitted with a 650b wheelset and wide tires. Update (4/13/21): With the 2X setup up, 650B tire width was limited to 47mm due to the front der. This has been fine for local singletrack. If I want to do some fat tire snow riding, a 1X conversion would be in order. I'm also finding the 2X has a real chain suck issue if you downshift the front der aggressively. Unfortunately, this has caused some scratches to the beautiful blue-gray/orange paint job. I've learned to shift a little more carefully as a result.
I’ve had the original Exploro LTD since it came out and similar issue with chain suck. The final solution turned out to be a chain catcher and lots of careful tuning of the FD and chain catcher. However by the time my LBS figured it out, the BB area was badly scarred and torn up :(
How do you like it? I’ve been looking at it but how does it compare to some of the newer bike specs
Don’t like the cable routing in the top tube 😖
Great review, liked and subscribed. Love your down to earth review without all the product placement hidden stuff that others force.
Thanks Matt :)
Good vid! Your technical rocky sections are my Gravel trails!
Love mine😍 Even used it in a road race, with 1x Eagle
Was looking at these. Thanks to your video I know to avoid ! Great video 👍
I ordered one last week with the 2x grx drivetrain and damnit I can't wait to ride it.
How did you get on with it ?
My knees hurt everytime I watch one of your videos. 😜
Mine do after filming 😭
nice review as always - spot on! I have hardly ridden my other bikes since getting this!
Thanks and I can see why your other bikes aren't getting much use
What other bikes did you consider Christian, I do about I do about 80% poor B roads and 20% gravel tracks, what size did you get for your height, and how well do you think they are built? , they do look fantastic, I’m between this with GRX810 two by , thanks Derek
@@djscars572 I was looking at the Open, another diverge, aspero and rondo ruut. The exploro is very nicely built, handles very, very well as its roadbike+ stiff, so you will need to take advantage of the bigger tyres if you do go hard off road. for what you describe is very fast and sure footed.
Thanks Christian, that’s very helpful, I’m so undecided between the diverge carbon comp this and 3T Race and Ridley Kanzo Fast is know on my radar , it makes it far harder to decide at present, would you say it’s an aggressive riding position as I’m 54 yrs but current good level of fitness, I was looking at endurance bikes to start with but I like the flexibility of the gravel focused bikes, just a lack of 3T dealers here in Scotland
@@djscars572 no, its not aggressive, the head tube is quite long so I need a 130mm -17 stem slammed to get aggressive riding position!
Tha cable arrangement is a blessing for those of us who fly with our bikes and need to take the bars on and off frequently for paking in a bag. Reviewers should be aware of that before just dismissing it as "not appealing".
Thanks for the great review, Dave.
My pleasure!
Great review video David! Could you please review the Cube Cross Race C:62 Pro? Or the Cube Attain GTC SL? Thanks
Would love to know where these gravel trails are David as I think we live in the same area and would love to try them
Hi!
Great video!
A couple of questions:
Does the aero piece pose a challenge in terms of disassembling the bike to put it on a bike bag?
What is the distance between the hole where the cable goes in the top tube and the stem?
Thank you!
Hi David. Here in Australia we have more sand tracks that can bog us down than mud trails. How did those 63mm tyres go, 3T's distinguishing feature. Are they readily available or highly specialized, cost a fortune? How do thinner slicks go when using mainly on sealed roads.
Cheers.
Hi David, I love your videos and bike reviews! Can you tell me what kick stand are you using there? I am curious to know which kickstand will suit a 3T bike?
Great review, really love it. How would it compare to the Open U.P. or U.P.P.E.R?
A roadie thinking about Gravel who very much likes looks and Geometry but can’t see a 2x GRX Di2 option. Would like to be able to swap in my Road wheels (11-34 cassette) for tarmac only runs with ease (no messing with limit screws) and swap back in the 650s for the rougher runs.will there be a 2X GRX Di2 option for Racemax?
Any chance you could review the Ribble CGR SL? It’s a relatively similar style bike to the Exploro or Ridley Kanzo Fast, but at a better price point - would love to know your thoughts on how it compares
Hi David thank you for you videos and reviews. I have recently bought 3T exploro with ekar groupset and I am not super happy. The bike is fast but not very nimble agile and very fun to ride. Thinking to buy new frame and just swap the components. Would you please have any suggestions for me??
Thank you very much. Appreciate your work. Jakub
if you put 25mm on the front, 28 at the rear. Which is faster 25/28 or 28/28?
I love my Exploro . I have the 2x SRAM Force and use Fulcrum Carbon Wind 40mm with 32mm Pirelli Zero Road.
What’s the size of the g-one allround you got there?
Great review as always Dave! Now, for us looking for a fast potential “do it all” gravel bike, will you be so kind as to spend a little extra time comparing the Cervelo Áspero and the 3T Exploro Race Max. This will be quite helpful!
Thanks Thomas. Hopefully I can get the Aspero in for review on my channel and do a comparison
@@davidarthur I’d suggest adding the Kanzo Fast Classified to the list if you can.
That Ridley is on the list, fingers crossed 🤞
@@davidarthur YESSSSS, these are the 3 at the top of my list, Do It Do it Do it! A bike mainly to be used on road and group rides but with the capabilities to do some gravel riding too.
@@nathanbond583 I am facing excatly the same question now 😬 really don't know but incline to 3T I guess
Any issues with the seatpost sliding down at all? Been seeing seatpost issues with 3T Strada's, looks like the same seatpost.
How does it compare to the Ridley Kanzo Fast?
Hey! May i ask how big you are since i am currently stuck between 56 and 58 for me. I am 183 and have a inner leg length of 87. Any advice? :)
So nice to see something spec'd out with Campagnolo group. I get tired of seeing the same old SRAMANO stuff over and over and....
Lovely bike, but isn’t it the Ridley Kanzo Fast at least as fast as the 3t and even more aero with the internal cable routing?
I live and ride in Boone, NC. One of the riders in our group has this bike -it’s extremely fast, nimble and extremely aero.
Shoutout from NJ.
What is the model of the saddle?
Can you please do a review of Jamis Renegade (Steel or Carbon), thanks
I would love to see you review a Salsa Warbird, the O.G. of "gravel" bikes.
That's the problem... Salsa doesn't need to advertise the warbird! Full disclosure, I own one and my Ekar is on the slow boat from Italy as we speak.
Hi David, thanks for sharing your thoughts on the 3T, another great video, how would you say this compares to the Revolt you reviewed and the Diverge carbon comp, on the road and on gravel tracks for speed and putting power down, and handling, thanks Derek
This is definitely faster when it really comes down to getting a move on. The Revolt was smoother and more fun on twisty trails though, as was the Diverge
Thanks David, your Information is much appreciated
Pearson on and on or the 3t exploro??
Thanks for the review, I have been waiting for it, however made the decision to add one of these to my collection. As I see it no bike can do everything, if the conditions are gnarly then take a mtb, if pure road enjoy a smooth race machine, etc BUT this is about mixed riding conditions and therefore opens up new routes to add variety and potential for adventure rides. It reminds me of my first mtb (Cannondale M700 & still in full working order) from the early 90s and simplicity when we explored new tracks. I am looking forward to it’s arrival.
The cable outlet on the top tube is very irritating. There can now no longer bags be mounted, which worked with straps :(
It's all about the speed
I am looking at the 3T bikes. I have a Pro Team on order, -eta??? however I am becoming increasingly drawn to the Race/Max. Has anyone tried both, how do they compare?
I am in the same position. David Arthur - have you ridden the Team Exploro (older frame design) and how would you compare it to the newer RaceMax?
So Cool 👏 It's my dream bike
Very good review. I like my Exploro, but my problem with this 'fast offload' claim is that on steeper forest roads the bike (and bikes like the Aspero and Hanzo Fast) lack stability and hence flat out 40mph++ speed. A bit like saying an XC race bike is fast on a downhill course. Even on the flat, flat-out, these bikes can swap and twitch on bumps and deeper gravel. This makes them ultimately slower than more all-round gravel machines like the Revolt or Diverge. So aero, yes, but they need slacker head angles and longer wheelbases - stability is more important than manoeuvrability for traditional gravel racing.
When you've compared Scott and 3T - were you riding to the same power numbers? Not poking holes, genuinely curious if for give/take same effort the bikes are indeed that close when it comes to actual speed.
Actually it’s a 6% difference which is what the typical difference between an aero vs no aero frame.... and mind you the Scott is not even an aero bike so this means the 3T could be possibly 12% slower than a pure aero bike which means this frame is really slow
@@UA-camfana Which means a gravel frame, that can accept 2.25” knobbies, might read a bit slower on a pure road ride... Wonder how that road frame will do on serious gravel? Or, even on a single-track path...? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
This would an ideal do it all bike, if only they would sort that cable routing out though 🙈
yep needs a new fork that takes at least the front cable down inside
I would love to see a fully integrated front on that bike
@@quarkonium3795 it should not be that hard, the aeroghiaia has a rear (into stem) cable exit so it looks like it was considered pre covid probably, I would love a new fork that addresses this, for strada as well!
This, along with the Aspero are more like race bikes than off road/gravel munching. I'd use it as a road bike, and take it on light gravel. For more testing gravel, and adventures I'd rather something less racey.
Ridley Kanzo Fast next?
Gerard Vroomen makes the best stuff
It's very nice... But cable routing into the top tube is dumb. A deal breaker.
would be good to use percentages to show time difference - and its funny how when talking about saving time 10 secs is huge but when saying something isn't slow, 10 secs is nothing, similar with weight....depends who is saying it...
Actually it’s a 6% difference which is what the typical difference between an aero vs no aero frame.... and mind you the Scott is not even an aero bike so this means the 3T could be possibly 12% slower than a pure aero bike which means this frame is really slow
The Open wide looks cool in that grey colour! The 3T seems more like a cyclocross bike to me than a gravel bike. I own a cx bike as I want what the 3T offers but at a much cheaper price. And I can fit a 40mm tyre in the frame.
I have raced cross on both my Santa Cruz Stigmata (the version before the current) and my 3T Exploro (not on my RaceMax yet) - my Exploro is way more comfortable on pavement training rides and equaled the performance on mud... Just $0.02.
@@mejdrichj sounds like a Cx bike to me?
What about the Lauf True Grit?
Haven't ridden it yet. They did promise to send me one though
73.5 degree seat angle for size 54 seems a bit slack.
I'm waiting for a sub 7kg gravel bike before investing.
are you really comparing a gravel bike to live up to a road bike performance in undulating roads? my sense is the 3t is pretty amazing and comparing to a road bike just doesn't seem logical to me / would you compare SUV to a sedan ?
Nice review as always but a nasty looking frame, not a fan of the chain stays, cables in the top tube?! Not for me. 👍
Hey! What kind of shoes are you wearing?;)
These ones :) tinyurl.com/y5kolts9
@@davidarthur i found from discription, link wrong)
You can literally see exactly where the design budget ran out. ‘Yeah F it, just drill a hole in the top tube and poke the cables through’
I actually like that the cables go thru the top tube. Whenever they go thru the down tube, you have to be extra careful when running the cables and placing frame protectors on the head tube so you don’t rub off the paint. Going thru the top tube eliminates most of that hassle. I’m still not the biggest fan of internal cable routing, especially the rear brake.
@@bebopman5 I'm with you. If you also look at the partner engineer (Vroomen), this is a design that has been used on the r5.
I thought the Pinarello Grevil would of made the cut.
There's no way that rocks and sticks and mud aren't going to scratch the hell out of that down Tube with that Tire clearance. I know because I have a bike with similar clearance and the downtube is all scratched to hell. And it's a pure road bike.
I really like this bike, but the cable routing might be a deal-killer
how many organs does it cost?
What next, aero mountain bikes?
Ho problemi nella verniciatura, ci sono delle bolle ! La casa madre mi propone il ritocco a pennello ! Bici ancora in garanzia!
The design of the 3T is just bad. Mud collecting rear, bad cable routing, clearance till 42mm is quite conservative, price is way too high... although I like that they provide the tire measure charts.
Imagine an actual medium sized rock getting into that rear wheel clearance. It would cut your carbon frame like a knife
With the proper knobbies it might just be. Mud and chunky gravel will do the job.
how is that different to any bike, I have a 29+ with massive clearance and it still gets caked with mud and has stone chips...
My concern as well... So, on my Exploro, hasn’t been a problem.. On my RaceMax, hasn’t been a problem. That said, I used some clear vinyl and built a little shield... And, it’s fine. So, I get it, but, IRL it hasn’t been an issue.
@@mejdrichj I have an Explore Pro Team on order, however I am becoming increasingly drawn to the Race/Max. Do you have both how do they compare?
@@wruddock6781 Yes, I do... Love them both. The ability to use the super large 650b tires on the RaceMax is nice - I race cross on the Pro Team and for that, the clearance both offer is awesome... I also use a set of 700's with 36mm slicks - for road based stuff... I feel like the RM has a higher stack, but, really, other than that, they feel similar...I built up both as 1X with XT DI2 rear mech - again, easy and no issues - arguably, other than the super wide tires one can run on the RM, they are quite similar... Shit, not much help at all... Sorry!
by the price I'd say:"is it a car?"
I do like the vid....thanks David......but not the bike .
More a big tyre road bike option than a gravel bike...... surely a true gravel bike needs the option to fit a good set of mudguards - no space or mounts here! Given the state of the roads in the Northwest region of England, this would make an ideal fast comfy road bike...... but mudguards are a must unless you are a fair weather rider!
There are mudguard mounts, I did mention it in the video
I can literally buy a car with this amount of money
I took my road bike the other day on a trail... I have clearance for 28mm tyres. It performed brilliant. It was faster than all MTBs on that trail, up and down. Rim brakes worked splendid. So what have I learned? No need for specific gravel bike. You can put a non-slick wider tyres on a regular road bike and go off-road. It's perfectly capable. Yes, it's not for a big rock trails, but can easily smash all gravel paths...
I owned the 3T exploro and it just was too uncomfortable to keep, so I sold it and got a comfy orbea terra instead
Nothing about this bike looks pretty from the cable routing to the color scheme.
I thought gravel bikes were meant to be ridden on gravel, no one said anything about mud...hehe
Seriously dubious aero claims going on there. Absolutely zero info regarding watts saved vs. Their old exploro or a simple bike with round tubes. Not even any cfd images let alone a mention of wind tunnel testing on their website. The cynic in me thinks the aero advertising is purposely vague as it probably false, or at best just an aero nod rather than something properly engineered and the marketing dept has run wild with it. I really struggle to see any aero advantage from that massively bluff downtube or that tyre scraper seat tube mixed in with larger knobbly tyres.
Don't like that chainsaw-blade in the back, ugly! No single front chainring for me.
It's bloody expensive 🤣
Dam yo good bye paint job
ugly frame set, nice group set.
there is nothing aero about it .. just cause the frame is look-a-like an aero road bike frame does not make it an aero ! another marketing gimmick
I`ve got a new marketing slogan for these guys. 3T - OPTIMISED FOR NOTHING. Seriously if you are a closet roadie who gets hard/wet over wind tunnel data, living in the desert where it never rains surrounded by near perfect hardpacked dirt roads and no tarmac, then this is a dream come true. For everyone else its an ugly bike with "meh" performance on the road and "meh" utility and performance off road.
Well, that's your opinion. I happen to own 3T Exploro RaceMax with Ekar and I also own Endurance bike and Hardtail MTB. To me the bike delivers exactly what I want. Done sessions that included single tracks and couldn't agree more with David. Single tracks on it felt fine to handle, but I'd much prefer to take my hardtail and enjoy them than RaceMax. But then, on simple gravel road, this thing is just outstanding. But yeah, if your body is not flexible and capable of low position - the bike is not for you. It doesn't mean it's optimised for nothing. Mathematically speaking to disproof your theory only one person is needed so there you have it,.
Fully agree. As per the video it’s a 6% difference between Scott and 3T, which is what the typical difference between an aero vs no aero frame.... and mind you the Scott is not even an aero bike so this means the 3T could be possibly 12% slower than a pure aero bike which means this frame is really slow
@@UA-camfana The question is how much slower would other gravel bikes turn?because Scott will not handle gravel at all or borderline bike-able where 3T is a gravel bike in the first place. So yeah, frame maybe slow in comparing to road but modern road bikes are all marketed as "more aero" than previous models
@@pawelpankiewicz9458 First of all go look up the definition of "hyperbole" and with that definition in mind read my comment again (all of it this time), then yours and realise, you just proved my entire point. I literally said that the only thing this bike is optimized for is hardpacked dirt roads and you agree. Funny how people who own a product feel the need defend it, even when its obvious the person criticising it is being hyperbolic, almost like you they know deep down they got a lemon.
Oh and thanks for the passive aggressive implication that "oh you just aren't flexible enough" come see me some time I`ll let you borrow the TT bike I commute on 6 days a week.
@@chris1275cc I didn't want to come passive aggressive (sorry for that) but be careful with statement "optimised for nothing when you clearly mentioned it is optimised" for hard-roads so you contradicted yourself; And this is what I wanted to emphasise with a small difference that last time I checked my Danish location is far from desert and I am not a roady. And no I did not mean perhaps you not being flexible but I meant it is indeed a bike that does require flexibility, not everyone has it and else it would be very uncomfortable for these. Yes, this is a niche product but again, the fact it is ugly for everyone else than owners is a bit far fetched. For you and many it is,,, for many others it's a piece of art. Everyone has their taste, to me Diverge is too ugly and too upfront to ride on it... But I give it a massive credit that suspension in front and large clearance make it super versatile and great gravel machine. Other side of spectrum (to 3T) would be BMC URS which is very capable off road, and on road but lacks agility of a 3T. I don't think there is a perfect bike, each bike has it's audience.