Share Your Gravel Bike Frameset Riding Experience

Home » Share Your Gravel Bike Frameset Riding Experience

Choosing the right frameset is the first step to truly enjoying gravel riding. A great carbon gravel bike frameset must tackle mud, rocks, and long distances — offering a blend of lightness, stiffness, and comfort.

We invited three experienced riders to test our new carbon gravel frameset on real trails, rural roads, and city backpaths — delivering practical feedback, not just lab specs.

This bicycle frameset gravel builds on years of OEM experience for European and American markets. With UDH dropout compatibility, internal cable routing, race-inspired geometry, and a frame weight under 1.1 kg, it’s one of the lightest gravel framesets available. Sizes are designed for riders 170–190 cm tall.

Why We Built This Carbon Gravel Frameset

Many aero gravel framesets are either too stiff for endurance or too sluggish for performance. We aimed to strike the perfect balance.

Built with T800 and T1000 carbon via our third-generation molding platform, the frame on bike supports UDH, suspension forks, dropper posts, and heavy bikepacking loads — all while weighing only 1.2 kg.

We call this our “Exploration Geometry” — designed to serve modern riders seeking versatility across touring, racing, and adventure terrain.

Gravel Geometry: From Touring Roots to All-Road Versatility

Gravel geometry has evolved — shifting from relaxed touring angles to modern race-inspired dimensions: shorter chainstays, longer reach, and high tire clearance (up to 45c+ on 650B or 700C).

In China, riders increasingly explore off-road terrain, descents, and forest paths. Our frameset emphasizes multi-terrain adaptability, torsional stiffness, and clean internal cable routing for a true do-it-all solution.

Why Carbon Still Wins

While aluminum and steel are still relevant, carbon remains the top-tier choice for high-end gravel frames:

Lightweight & strong at equal stiffness
Customizable layups allow tuning shock absorption and rigidity
Aerodynamic shaping and integrated routing for efficiency

Our T800+T1000 carbon layup, with internal EPS molding, keeps frame weight at just 1.1 kg — passing ISO and internal stiffness testing for both safety and performance.

Lightweight Meets Strength: A Balanced Challenge

Gravel frames must support racks, bottles, and mudguards — and endure off-road abuse. Many entry-level frames reduce weight by using inferior materials, leading to cracks or soft pedaling feel.

We use an asymmetric triangle, reinforced bottom bracket and head tube zones, and an explosion-proof layup structure to maintain strength without adding excess weight.

A full system approach — including carbon fork, integrated seatpost, and internal cable routing kits — prevents mismatched component weight and delivers a complete lightweight setup.

Real User Feedback from Three Riders

To capture authentic performance, we invited three distinct riders — including the woman featured in how one woman chose her first carbon gravel bike — to test the frameset for a month on sand, gravel, unpaved trails, and even race courses

User A – Long-Distance Touring Enthusiast

“This Bicycle Gravel Frameset Helped Me Ride Farther”

Route: Sand, gravel, country roads
Load: Over 25 kg with full touring gear

“Under heavy loads, the frame stayed stable and dampened vibrations effectively. The rear triangle’s carbon layout made long gravel stretches smoother.”

He also praised the UDH dropout compatibility, allowing future upgrades to SRAM Transmission systems without modifying the frame.

User B – City & Suburban Commuter

“The Frame’s Handling Impressed Me”

Ride Style: 3–5 times/week, 30–50 km per ride
Conditions: Urban roads + suburban trails

“The handling is sharp and precise. The internal routing reduces drag and adds to the aero feel — useful even in city commutes.”

He appreciated the aero gravel geometry, integrated handlebar, and non-aggressive fork angle that improved comfort and efficiency.

User C – Competitive Gravel Racer

“Extreme Performance from a Gravel Race Frameset”

Setup: Race geometry version, 650B wheels, 38c tires

“The bottom bracket is incredibly stiff — power transfers directly with no dead zone. In sprints and climbs, it performs like a race bike.”He also highlighted excellent compatibility with Shimano GRX and SRAM drivetrains, showing the frame’s race-readiness and maturity.

“Ideal for riders who want speed but don’t want to sacrifice off-road stability.”

How to Choose the Right Gravel Racing Bike Frame Size Chart

Bike Frame Size and Height Chart

Rider Height (cm)	Inseam Length (cm)	Top Tube Length (mm)	Recommended Frame Size	Fit Tips
150–160	65–72	490–510	XXS / XS	Short legs or arms: size down for control
160–168	70–76	500–520	XS / S	Long torso: consider longer top tube
168–175	74–80	520–535	S / M	Balanced build: standard fit
175–182	78–85	535–550	M	Long arms: check reach for stability
182–188	83–89	550–570	M / L	Aggressive riders: size down for racing
188–195	87–93	570–590	L / XL	Taller riders: ensure seatpost & stack room
195+	90+	590–610	XL / XXL	Extra-long inseam: confirm standover clearance

Tip: Match stack and reach for best fit — more precise than top tube length alone.

Additional Sizing Factors to Consider

Inseam Length: Crucial for correct standover height and saddle height.
Torso Length & Arm Reach: Affects top tube length and overall bike reach.
Flexibility: Less flexible riders may prefer a slightly shorter reach and higher stack.
Riding Style:
- Aggressive/Racing: Slightly smaller frame for lower aero position.
- Endurance/Adventure: Slightly larger frame for upright comfort.

carbon frame gravel bike

How Geometry Affects Riding Style

Long reach + short chainstay: Race-oriented, ideal for speed & sprints
High stack + wide tire clearance: Adventure-oriented, more upright posture
Neutral geometry: Best for city, entry-level, or all-road versatility

Our “Exploration Geometry” blends these traits — optimized for tire clearance, pedaling efficiency, and multiple riding styles.

Common Gravel Frameset Selection Mistakes

Using road bike sizing charts directly
Prioritizing weight without verifying strength
Ignoring drivetrain/dropper/rack compatibility

Must-Check Before Buying a Best Gravel Bike Frameset

–Carbon construction with proven layup
–UDH dropout support
–Internal cable routing and dropper compatibility
–Accurate sizing with geometry charts
–Field-tested by real riders

Why We Recommend This Heavy-Load GV201 Gravel Bike Frameset

In a crowded gravel market, few framesets balance strength, adaptability, and customization potential like the GV201.

Whether you’re racing, commuting, bikepacking, or exploring trails — this high-standard carbon platform delivers performance that’s proven in the field and ready for both consumers and OEM/ODM partners.

High Compatibility Features – Built for Performance & Versatility

Our GV201 UDH-compatible carbon gravel frameset is engineered for modern adventure and race performance. It features:

Tire clearance: Up to 50c (700C) or 2.1” (650B)
UDH dropouts: SRAM Transmission-ready
Bottom bracket: T47 threaded – compatible with Shimano GRX, SRAM Rival, 1x or 2x drivetrains
Crankset: Supports single chainring up to 42T
Brakes: Flat mount disc brake system, compatible with 140mm/160mm rotors
Storage: Includes a patented magnetic internal storage box and free internal storage bag
Routing: Fully compatible with both mechanical and electronic dropper seatposts, suspension forks, and rear racks