T-Lab, a Montreal, QB-based producer of titanium bicycles, has up to date its flagship gravel bike. The X3 now options absolutely inner routing, 50mm tire clearance, and UDH compatibility.
What hasn’t modified in regards to the X3 are the issues that helped make the earlier iteration T-Lab’s hottest bike, particularly a chic stage of consolation and competition-ready energy switch. A uniquely formed titanium tubeset utilizing T-Labs proprietary T-Morph expertise delivers, in accordance to T-Labs testing, “as much as 30% extra lateral stiffness and associated responsiveness” than another titanium frames.
The geometry is usually progressive with a slack 71.5 head angle, lengthy front-center, low backside bracket, and a path determine of 67mm. The one dimension that actually bucks the pattern of gravel geometry is the conservatively lengthy chainstays, that are 430mm. Whereas this size may not maximize sprinting responsiveness or out-of-saddle traction, it’s going to definitely help in retaining riders extra snug over the lengthy haul, and can add a pinch of dealing with confidence on tough terrain.
The X3 is obtainable in 5 inventory sizes that accommodate riders 5’1″ to six’6″. For riders who fall outdoors this vary, T-Lab gives customized sizing for an extra $600. Choosing the proper dimension within the X3 requires some consideration, as a result of relying on how it is going to be used, a rider could have to go down two sizes from a typical street bike match. As an illustration, a dimension “small” X3 has a attain of 400mm, a stack of 566mm, and a seatube size of 500mm – comparable dimensions to a Specialised Aethos 56cm, which is taken into account a “massive” body.
Versus a street bike, most riders will probably drop down only one dimension, and likewise use a shorter stem to retain some agility within the entrance finish of the X3. This mixture of a smaller-labeled body with a shorter stem will present the perfect steadiness of consolation for lengthy rides and races, and the playfulness wanted to benefit from the gnarlier finish of the gravel spectrum.
Magnificence is within the eye of the beholder, however no person will accuse the X3 of being a forgettable steel bike. The highest tube’s flattened profile makes for an acute transition to the outsized headtube. The downtube additionally transitions to a flat profile because it approaches the BB386 backside bracket, and the slender seat stays are linked to the seat tube with a stout part of titanium that is probably not tremendous elegant, however seems as much as the duty of anchoring absolutely loaded panniers for the roughest gravel touring one can dream up. Total, it’s clear that the X3’s kind follows its perform, as ought to be the norm for efficiency gravel bikes.
The X3 might be constructed, completed, and painted to your style, with choices for each 1x and 2x mechanical, Di2, and wi-fi shifting, together with three distinct aesthetic designs – Lux, HLX, and Versa.
The X3 seems to be a flexible bike that will likely be greater than competent in any gravel theater – whether or not that’s Unbound, the Continental Divide, or your native singletrack. The geometry embraces many up to date developments however retains some long-standing dimensions to steadiness enjoyable and luxury.
The X3 is obtainable now with framesets beginning at $3110 USD.
t-lab-bikes.com
