We obtained a really early sneak peek on the all-new Rondo Ruut 2nd-generation carbon gravel bike again in February when it leaked out of a dealer-only preview occasion with its distinctive interrupted seattube design. However now at Eurobike, the brand new Ruut CF carbon bike has been introduced out from below cowl for a better look. And its extra typical aluminum Ruut AL sibling has been unveiled too, with its personal little bit of distinctive design options…
The unmistakable novelty of the brand new second-generation Rondo Ruut is that interrupted seat tube design, which replaces the standard and traditionally-structural two-triangle design that everyone knows and love for its simplicity. Rondo had already put a pair kinks in these triangles since the primary iteration of their carbon gravel bike, however in more moderen years they’ve gotten much more adventurous with angular, unconventional shapes.
Rondo Ruut CF 2nd-gen carbon gravel bike
Whereas this damaged seat tube guarantees to “tremendously” increase rider consolation due to managed vertical flex – the identical fundamental premise we noticed in a Specialised patent the day earlier than our Ruut 2.0 sneak peek, after which their Sirrus commuter bike – Rondo additionally has used the unconventional design as a springboard for much more wild shaping all through the entrance half of their new carbon gravel bike. As their product designer defined it to me… “it additionally appears cool”.
We already knew loads of particulars this 12 months in regards to the extra built-in carbon bike with its carry-over adjustable geometry due to the fork axle flip-chips and 5 body sizes (XS-XL), absolutely inside cables, nowhere to mount a entrance derailleur, a deeply aero fork that shields the entrance disc caliper, an uneven T47 BB & spherical 27.2mm seatpost. We additionally now know that at the very least three builds will likely be made out there later this 12 months, all with SRAM AXS wi-fi gravel drivetrains & Hunt wheels.
The highest Rondo Ruut CF0 (inexperienced above) will get a Drive XPLR group & particular Rondo crossover branded Hunt Limitless aero carbon gravel wheels. Then, a Ruut CF1 will get Rival XPLR with Rondo+Hunt X-Broad alloy gravel wheels. Whereas tire clearance for the bike is ready at a max 45mm for 700c or 50mm for 650b, each of those get 700c wheels wrapped in racy 40mm gravel tires.
Once more, Rondo will make one other cyclocross race spec of their gravel bike. This time the Ruut X will get the newest inexpensive SRAM Apex XPLR AXS groupset however with tighter 10-36T gear spacing and Rondo+Hunt Aero Broad Alloy wheels coated with 33mm cross tires.
Rondo Ruut AL 2nd-gen alloy gravel bike
Not fairly as dramatic-looking because the carbon bike, the brand new aluminum Ruut AL additionally has a number of tips up its sleeve. Geometry and TwinTip fork flip-chip adjustability are the identical. And Rondo additionally made a number of odd design choices, simply to make it “look cool”.
The alloy gravel bike sticks with extra typical fashionable body tube shaping, barely dropping its seatstays for consolation, hydroforming prime & down tubes for stiffness & aero positive aspects, and dropping each chainstays for giant tire clearance.
The Ruut AL additionally will get absolutely inside cables routed via the headset, however this bike retains entrance derailleur compatibility (particularly essential for lower-cost GRX builds). It additionally will get extra mounts throughout – 2 commonplace cages within the entrance triangle, toptube bag & below downtube mounts, plus rear rack mounts, fender mounts, and something cage mounts on every leg of the fork.
That new Ruut G3 carbon fork can also be fairly attention-grabbing. From the aspect, it appears to share the narrower taper, swept ahead profile of present Ruut forks, however is curiously uneven from the entrance.
Rondo’s designer stated that’s ‘simply because’. The asymmetry on the crown made it slightly less complicated and cleaner to find a grommet for inside dynamo wiring routing to exit heading to a headlight both excessive up below the bar or decrease over the entrance tire. However actually, it was only a enjoyable design option to make it look totally different.
Wanting down decrease on the body – below a PF86 backside bracket – we seen some clear semi-internal cable routing for the rear derailleur via a machined chainstay yoke, but additionally one thing else poking out under…
Rondo has given the Ruut AL slightly built-in toolbox below the underside bracket.
A plastic insert that bolts onto the open backside of the aluminum downtube & backside bracket homes a good-sized multi-tool and a separate chain breaker that each include the bike you purchase. Heavy-duty magnets maintain the instruments securely in place, and a fitted rubber door securely closes the decrease opening to maintain grime, mud & water out.
Plus, with the instruments out and toolbox eliminated, inside routing is far simpler to get to when you’ll want to substitute that mechanical rear derailleur cable & housing.
2024 gravel bike pricing & availability remains to be TBD
OK, so we all know only a bit extra about what actually makes these new 2nd technology Rondo Ruut gravel bikes totally different than the primary technology that launched us to the model all the best way again in 2017. However we’re nonetheless ready for phrase on official pricing and mannequin availability timing. The bike rumor has it that they’re realistically extra of a mannequin 12 months 2024 bike, moderately than MY23 as we initially thought. However with that stated, we’re nonetheless anticipating them to be out there someday this autumn, and hopefully will get on one for some take a look at rides quickly.
