3T Extrema Italia will get Sooner, Gnarlier for Gravel Bike Journey Racing

The 3T Extrema Italia is a totally separate new mannequin aimed extra straight at racing lengthy distances off-road, even sooner than ever.

What’s new?

Massive diameter large tire aerodynamics. The brand new Extrema makes use of related wider tube shapes like refined on final yr’s Extremely to attenuate aero drag, even with monster knobby 29er MTB tires. The higher downtube is now even larger at 63mm large the place air transitions off the spinning entrance wheel and joins airflow over the fork crown. And the decrease portion of the downtube now tops out at 73mm large to clean airflow over water bottles.

Totally inside cable routing. Due to a wireless-only drivetrains, the brand new Extrema will get the Integrale moniker which means no extra seen cables or brake hoses outdoors the body. All routed contained in the carbon 3T Aeroghiaia handlebar and the hole underside of the carbon 3T Extra Integrale stem.

Extra journey carrying capability. Lastly, a 3T gravel bike will get 3-bolt Something cage mounts on its fork. A surprisingly very long time coming, it truly is a prerequisite for a gravel bike to be a correct bikepacking-ready journey bike. Additionally, with the exterior cable loop gone from behind the stem, the brand new 3T Extrema Italia Integrale additionally advantages from higher location for direct mount toptube luggage. Mix that with a typical set of two cage bolts below the downtube, a typical cage mount on the seattube, and a 3-bolt set of adjustable place water bottle cage mounts on high of the downtube. And this Extrema Italia has essentially the most carrying capability of any 3T gravel bike but.

The spherical 27.2mm seatpost debuted on the Extremely is right here on the Extrema too. 3T makes the shift for extra rider consolation and the flexibility to optionally run a wi-fi (or externally routed) dropper submit or a suspension seatpost, as effectively.

Extra progressive gravel-race geometry, too

The modifications are comparatively small in comparison with the Extremely, which is nearly equivalent to the RaceMax apart from an incrementally longer rear middle and barely shorter Attain. Each with a clearly race-focused geometry.

However the brand new Extrema does pattern a bit extra in the direction of stability over tough terrain and a barely extra snug upright place. It’s not slack, and never lengthy by trendy progressive path requirements, although.

My measurement 54 check bike does get a 1/2 a level slacker head angle at 70.5°, 18mm longer chainstays at 437mm now, and a 24mm longer wheelbase total. Plus, its body Stack is 4-6mm greater, and Attain is 5-6mm shorter than the Extremely/RaceMax. It additionally characteristic 1mm much less BB drop, which seems like nothing, however means a noticeably greater BB on the larger wheel & tire combo.

Lastly, the brand new 3T Extrema does are available fewer sizes, although. Simply 4 inventory sizes for the Extrema Italia (51-58cm), no XXS or XXL.

And naturally, it’s made in Italy.

How does the Extrema Italia examine to the RaceMax or Extremely?

First off, the brand new Extrema is an Italia-only gravel bike. Meaning it’s 3T’s high tier from a pricing, light-weight & stiffness perspective. And it’s made totally in 3T’s Bergamo, Italy mixed HQ and carbon manufacturing facility.

Subsequent is larger tire clearance. 3T is sort of detailed about actual tire clearance of every of the bike fashions they promote – specializing in actual confirmed WAM (width as measured) & RAM (radius as measured) on clearly outlined internal rim widths. Tire match is necessary to 3T. As they actually aerodynamically optimize every of their bikes for a sure vary of tire sizes. And 3T need to make sure you get essentially the most out of their bikes. So consumers choose from a lot of tires, however nonetheless get the perfect match.

If you wish to dig into the small print, it’s nice. In the event you simply need to know what the distinction bike-to-bike is, it may be overwhelming.

As briefly as potential…

• The brand new Extrema Italia is optimized for 700c x 50-57mm tires (29″ x 1.95-2.25″). With the identical large tire aerodynamics because the Extremely however on larger diameter wheels. 3T designed the Extrema “for the hardest race programs and quick adventures”.
• 3T optimized the RaceMax in common or Italia guise for 700c x 35-40mm tires (as much as 42mm potential). It might additionally run 650b x 53mm / 27.5″ x 2.1″ tires (as much as 61mm/2.4″ potential) with much less aero effectivity. It targets quick gravel race programs and blended arduous floor, tarmac & gravel using.
• They particularly designed the Extremely round 27.5″ x 2.25″ / 650b x 57mm tires (as much as 2.4″ / 61mm potential). That includes wider tubing for optimum aerodynamics with wider tires. It goals extra at informal adventure-focused riders at a extra inexpensive value degree.

Italia means light-weight, stiff carbon, made-in-Italy

3T manufactures the brand new 3T Extrema Italia Integrale in Italy to be light-weight and stiff like the opposite Italia editions. But it surely additionally goals to spice up consolation, too. Particularly, 3T engineered the brand new journey gravel race bike to be simply as stiff and responsive because the RaceMax from the headtube, to the underside bracket, and again to the dropouts. However, it will get extra flex within the seatstays & seattube to spice up rider consolation over rougher terrain.

That stated, it’s nonetheless fairly gentle. 3T claims an unpainted 54cm Extrema Italia Integrale body weighs 1100g with out {hardware}. Or simply 110g greater than a similar measurement RaceMax Italia Integrale body. The brand new adventure-ready fork can be equally light-weight at a claimed 420g, unpainted with out {hardware}. That’s surprisingly solely 35g heavier than the RaceMax Italia fork. Even with something cage mounts and the reinforcement to haul gear on each fork legs. 

3T Extrema Italia Tech Particulars

The brand new gravel bike does get an all-new 3T Fango Extrema Integrale full carbon fork with these additional mounts. It additionally contains a D-shaped higher part of the tapered steerer to route brake hoses internally by means of the particular 3T MinMax Integrale tapered headset. Of be aware, 3T has not but began producing forks in-house as a part of their Italia filament-wound RTM carbon program. However the 3T growth pipeline consists of Italian forks, in accordance with rumors.

The Extrema solely works with digital groupsets (wired or wi-fi apparently) and wi-fi dropper posts. However it’s 1x or 2x suitable, with a detachable entrance derailleur hanger (or chain catcher). Out again it makes the soar to UDH for direct mount SRAM Transmission drivetrains. However you would additionally construct a frameset up with different drivetrains utilizing the common derailleur hanger.

The body options the identical BB386EVO PressFit backside bracket normal 3T makes use of throughout the board, with a thread-together backside bracket for creak-free operating. The bike will get flat mount 160mm disc brakes, Syntace 12mm thru-axles, and hidden mounts for full protection fenders. Plus, a bolt-on downtube protector that additionally covers a big open for simpler cable routing across the BB.

Try our first impression of the brand new bike, now reside right here.

Need to know extra about 3T Italian manufacturing?

Take a look at our 2019 Manufacturing unit Tour. There we previewed the resin switch molding (RTM) tech that 3T shares for his or her in-house crankset and frameset manufacturing. We weren’t allowed to point out the early body manufacturing prototyping then. However when 3T formally introduced in-house Italian body manufacturing 18 months later, we might share extra photos of the extra advanced semi-automated filament winding RTM tech that creates the frames.

Now purchase carbon cranks, gravel race, e-gravel, and this new journey race bike all made by 3T in Bergamo.

3T Extrema Italia – Pricing, choices & availability

The brand new 3T Extrema Italia is on the market as 3 totally different frameset or 3 totally different full bike construct choices.

The made-in-Italy Extrema framesets are all offered with the body, fork, 3T Extra Integrale stem, separate 3T Aeroghiaia carbon handlebar & zero offset 3T carbon seatpost, plus thru-axles & particular 3T MinMax Integrale tapered headset. Framesets range in price, based mostly on their end. Commonplace painted framesets characteristic the bottom value in Mercurio inexperienced or Terra purple for $5500 / 5000€. Prepared-to-paint frames reveal the naked Undertaking X carbon patterning beneath for $5800 / 5300€ with no logos. ( Initially known as XXX, till it redirected a whole lot of porn searchers to Bikerumor final winter.)

And 3T Extrema Italia Undertaking X framesets get the lightest total end, revealing the total filament wound carbon patterns, even that of the fork, for $6100 / 5500€ with low-key 3T logos & graphics.

Full bikes

Full made-in-Italy bike builds begin from $8000 / 7300€. Begin with a SRAM Rival + GX Eagle AXS transmission, a set of Zipp 303S carbon wheels, and normal paint colours. It could be “entry-level” to the brand new 3T Extrema Italia full, however it’s a premium construct that leaves little wanting.

In search of one thing extra, the subsequent up $9200 / 8300€ construct retains the very same Rival+GX AXS & Zipp equipment. But it surely swaps in a 50mm short-travel RockShox Reverb AXS dropper and new made-in-Italy 3T Torno Vast carbon cranks. (That is the construct we’re testing.)

Then lastly, essentially the most premium full construct combines the superbly uncooked Undertaking X end with an much more gravel-premium construct. SRAM Drive + XX SL Eagle AXS transmission, 3T Torno Vast carbon cranks, the Reverb AXS dropper, and 3T’s extra-wide Discus 45|40 carbon wheels for a mind-melting $11,600 / 10,500€ price ticket.

All the new Extrema Italia gravel bikes are formally obtainable beginning right now. And a few are already ready in outlets. However numbers are restricted. So it’d take a short while to get yours.

Of be aware, the brand new made-in-Italy 3T Torno Vast carbon crankset is NOT but obtainable. The brand new SRAM Transmissions require a wider 55mm chainline, however the present Torno cranks are 47mm. 3T are engaged on producing a brand new wider Torno whereas holding Q-factor as little as potential. Within the meantime, 3T is transport bikes (like our check bike) with a large SRAM Rival crank now. 3T will improve Tornos consumers without spending a dime in June 2024, as soon as the brand new cranks are slated for obtainable.

Simply-in-time Supply at your native bikeshop

One key behind-the-scenes replace making this Extrema & different Italia fashions obtainable in a well timed trend is new Simply-in-Time supply. Changing standard store pre-season pre-orders, key 3T supplier outlets at the moment are in a position to reserve the 5000 manufacturing slots for the Italia collection bikes for the 2024 yr forward. That method they nonetheless estimate what number of premium 3T bikes they count on to promote within the subsequent yr. However then get to choose the precise mannequin, measurement, coloration & construct spec nearly on the final minute.

That signifies that in case your native store reserved manufacturing slots, they’ll probably get you the precise semi-customized bike & construct you need in round 6 weeks, as a substitute of the for much longer lead instances a made-to-order carbon bike would normally entail. Fashionable 3T re-founder & CEO Rene Wiertz describe this as an enormous good thing about the pliability of producing the Italia fashions in-house with the filament wound RTM method.

New 3T Administration

One other tidbit of 3T trade information is a reorganization of their administration. Final yr, Italian funding agency UTurn purchased into 3T on this concept of accelerating nimble made-in-Italy manufacturing. Now Rene Wiertz, has offered his stake and stepped down as CEO of the corporate that he purchased as a reputation solely again in 2007 and became a part, then gravel bike manufacturing powerhouse along with Gerard Vroomen and now 70 workers.

Taking on the 3T CEO administration position is UTurn’s Luca Mongodi, saying “3T is altering the sport of the bike trade, and we’re completely satisfied to have the ability to speed up this basic change with our funding within the in-house carbon manufacturing facility and bike meeting and creating sustainable jobs in Italy“. Wiertz & Mongodi see this as a terrific alternative for 3T to develop even larger & higher internationally, whereas specializing in what they do finest. 3T promised that “all” of their bike fashions shall be obtainable in Italia variations by the top of this yr. Which the Extrema appears to bolster. And 3T plans to “quickly” broaden Italian manufacturing capability subsequent yr.

Count on to see much more Italian-made bikes. As UTurn fuels 3T to develop its tech-focused method to gravel, ebikes, and all-road.

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