3T provides an all-new made-in-Italy carbon gravel bike to their long-running Exploro household with the adventure-ready Extrema Italia. Beefed up for 29″ mountain bike tires to tackle sooner, rougher journey races, the Extrema boasts comparatively extra progressive geometry, a fully-integrated (however adjustable) cockpit, and extra hauling capability than ever.
Plus, examine new 3T administration, too…
3T Extrema Italia Integrale carbon 29er journey gravel bike
We already had a sneak peek on the new 3T Extrema again at Eurobike, the place we surmised that it could have merely been an up to date model of the considerably related Extremely that debuted final yr. However actually, this new 29er Extrema Italia doesn’t particularly exchange the Extremely (which carries on with 650b wheels).
The 3T Extrema Italia is a totally separate new mannequin aimed extra immediately at racing lengthy distances off-road, even sooner than ever.
What’s new?
Huge diameter extensive tire aerodynamics. The brand new Extrema makes use of related wider tube shapes like refined on final yr’s Extremely to reduce aero drag, even with monster knobby 29er MTB tires. The higher downtube is now even greater at 63mm extensive 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 extensive to clean airflow over water bottles.
Absolutely inside cable routing. Because of 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 baggage. Mix that with an ordinary set of two cage bolts underneath the downtube, an ordinary cage mount on the seattube, and a 3-bolt set of adjustable place water bottle cage mounts on prime of the downtube. And this Extrema Italia has probably 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 power to optionally run a wi-fi (or externally routed) dropper publish or a suspension seatpost, as effectively.
Extra progressive gravel-race geometry, too
The adjustments are comparatively small in comparison with the Extremely, which is nearly equivalent to the RaceMax apart from an incrementally longer rear heart and barely shorter Attain. Each with a clearly race-focused geometry.
However the brand new Extrema does development a bit extra in direction of stability over tough terrain and a barely extra comfy upright place. It’s not slack, and never lengthy by trendy progressive path requirements, although.
My dimension 54 take a look at 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 general. Plus, its body Stack is 4-6mm increased, 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 increased BB on the larger wheel & tire combo.
Lastly, the brand new 3T Extrema does are available in 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 prime tier from a pricing, light-weight & stiffness perspective. And it’s made fully in 3T’s Bergamo, Italy mixed HQ and carbon manufacturing unit.
Subsequent is greater tire clearance. 3T is kind 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 vital to 3T. As they actually aerodynamically optimize every of their bikes for a sure vary of tire sizes. And 3T need to ensure you get probably the most out of their bikes. So patrons decide from a lot of tires, however nonetheless get the best match.
If you wish to dig into the small print, it’s nice. When you simply need to know what the distinction bike-to-bike is, it may be overwhelming.
As briefly as attainable…
- The brand new Extrema Italia is optimized for 700c x 50-57mm tires (29″ x 1.95-2.25″). With the identical extensive tire aerodynamics because the Extremely however on greater 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 attainable). It could actually additionally run 650b x 53mm / 27.5″ x 2.1″ tires (as much as 61mm/2.4″ attainable) with much less aero effectivity. It targets quick gravel race programs and combined onerous 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 attainable). That includes wider tubing for optimum aerodynamics with wider tires. It goals extra at informal adventure-focused riders at a extra reasonably priced worth stage.
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. Nevertheless it 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 mild. 3T claims an unpainted 54cm Extrema Italia Integrale body weighs 1100g with out {hardware}. Or simply 110g greater than a similar dimension 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 further mounts. It additionally incorporates 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 observe, 3T has not but began producing forks in-house as a part of their Italia filament-wound RTM carbon program. However the 3T improvement pipeline contains Italian forks, in response to rumors.
The Extrema solely works with digital groupsets (wired or wi-fi apparently) and wi-fi dropper posts. However it’s 1x or 2x appropriate, 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 can additionally construct a frameset up with different drivetrains utilizing the common derailleur hanger.
The body options the identical BB386EVO PressFit backside bracket commonplace 3T makes use of throughout the board, with a thread-together backside bracket for creak-free working. 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.
Take a look at our first impression of the brand new bike, now reside right here.
Wish to know extra about 3T Italian manufacturing?
Take a look at our 2019 Manufacturing facility 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 indicate 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 complicated 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 accessible as 3 totally different frameset or 3 totally different full bike construct choices.
The made-in-Italy Extrema framesets are all bought 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 differ in price, based mostly on their end. Commonplace painted framesets characteristic the bottom worth in Mercurio inexperienced or Terra crimson for $5500 / 5000€. Prepared-to-paint frames reveal the naked Mission X carbon patterning beneath for $5800 / 5300€ with no logos. ( Initially referred to as XXX, till it redirected quite a lot of porn searchers to Bikerumor final winter.)
And 3T Extrema Italia Mission X framesets get the lightest general end, revealing the complete 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 commonplace paint colours. It could be “entry-level” to the brand new 3T Extrema Italia full, but it surely’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 package. Nevertheless it swaps in a 50mm short-travel RockShox Reverb AXS dropper and new made-in-Italy 3T Torno Huge carbon cranks. (That is the construct we’re testing.)
Then lastly, probably the most premium full construct combines the fantastically uncooked Mission X end with an much more gravel-premium construct. SRAM Drive + XX SL Eagle AXS transmission, 3T Torno Huge 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.
The entire new Extrema Italia gravel bikes are formally out there beginning right now. And a few are already ready in outlets. However numbers are restricted. So it would take a short while to get yours.
Of observe, the brand new made-in-Italy 3T Torno Huge carbon crankset is NOT but out there. 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 maintaining Q-factor as little as attainable. Within the meantime, 3T is transport bikes (like our take a look at bike) with a large SRAM Rival crank now. 3T will improve Tornos patrons without spending a dime in June 2024, as soon as the brand new cranks are slated for out there.
Simply-in-time Supply at your native bikeshop
One key behind-the-scenes replace making this Extrema & different Italia fashions out there in a well timed trend is new Simply-in-Time supply. Changing typical store pre-season pre-orders, key 3T supplier outlets at the moment are capable of reserve the 5000 manufacturing slots for the Italia collection bikes for the 2024 yr forward. That approach they nonetheless estimate what number of premium 3T bikes they anticipate to promote within the subsequent yr. However then get to choose the particular mannequin, dimension, shade & construct spec nearly on the final minute.
That implies that in case your native store reserved manufacturing slots, they will possible 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 often entail. Trendy 3T re-founder & CEO Rene Wiertz describe this as an enormous advantage of the pliability of producing the Italia fashions in-house with the filament wound RTM approach.
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 bought his stake and stepped down as CEO of the corporate that he purchased as a reputation solely again in 2007 and changed into a element, then gravel bike manufacturing powerhouse along with Gerard Vroomen and now 70 staff.
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 elementary change with our funding within the in-house carbon manufacturing unit and bike meeting and creating sustainable jobs in Italy“. Wiertz & Mongodi see this as an awesome alternative for 3T to develop even greater & higher internationally, whereas specializing in what they do finest. 3T promised that “all” of their bike fashions will likely be out there in Italia variations by the tip of this yr. Which the Extrema appears to strengthen. And 3T plans to “quickly” increase Italian manufacturing capability subsequent yr.
Anticipate to see much more Italian-made bikes. As UTurn fuels 3T to develop its tech-focused strategy to gravel, ebikes, and all-road.
