The 3T Exploro lives up to it's name and intended versatility. Take advantage of great value and capability with this Exploro Pro Rival Bicycle, which has been built with a popular wheel and drivetrain set-up for a fast, expansive riding experience.

Designed to be an aerodynamic gravel bike the Exploro has the capability to dominate faster track gravel courses, or load up on 650b tires for some more serious gravel grinding or adventure use. To understand the signature characteristics of the Exploro frameset design, refer to 3T owner/engineer Gerard Vroomen's background with Cervelo and his success with his smaller Open Cycles project. Pro road race, dominant aero performance and tube innovation experience, crossed with genuine versatility of the Open UP designs, combined with pure engineering and a desire to stay innovative.

The Exploro Pro Frameset is deeply informed by both influences but no hybrid, truly a fully integrated design, and maximized to deliver aero performance, power transfer and versatility vi a carbon construction featuring unidirectional pre-preg carbon in a high-modulus/high-strength performance blend layup. The fork and frame were optimized for the aerodynamic realities of larger volume tires, so you have a square-aero (Sqaero) shape down tube with a 50mm cross section, with an arc-shape leading edge and the now common flat-back design. Coming off up to 50mm tires the downtube manages the airflow as efficiently as possible, guiding it as easily as possible around water bottles and the seattube. The seattube has similar shape, but with a 25mm width, as it needs to do less to move the air back after it has been directed by downtube. The fork blades have slim aero shape, and the remaining tubes and junctions use Sqaero forms as well, but the management of the airflow off the leading edge is the crucial element. The fork itself is the tapered 1⅛” - 1½” 3T Fango Pro Disc flat mount design, with internal routing and 12/100 Syntace X-12 thru-axle.

A single ring (1x) drivetrain decreases the turbulent airflow through what is normally the front derailleur zone, and clearly 3T would prefer you move in that direction, but unlike with the 3T Strada Road frame, the Exploro provides a removable front derailleur mount. For this Pro Rival build a single ring system is used. The FlipTop internal cable/housing routing system (for 1x, 2x, mechanical or electronic, and hydraulic) is clean, and fairly straightforward. Every detail has been carefully considered and addressed. 3T even includes a foam sleeve for the downtube routing to prevent any rattling. The frame maintains smooth profiles throughout. It features a well designed 12/142mm thru-axle system, with a Syntace model included. The bottom bracket shell is for the FSA BB386EVO system.

The shaped 3T Charlie Sqaero seatpost is Exploro specific, and has a zero-offset saddle clamp set-up. A toptube mounted post securing wedge system is now used for greater security. Vroomen has given the seattube a 72.5mm angle, which assists in rear triangle spec. Overall riding geometry is much more like an endurance road bike with a relatively short headtube and a more compact chainstay length (rear center) at 415mm than most gravel bikes. A dropped driveside chainstay keeps the Q-factor at a standard road width, and clearance for more gearing options. The fork rake is 50mm, giving the Exploro Team tracking and stability up front on rough surfaces. The geometry feels balanced and sure handling, with impressive acceleration, real speed, road feel and cornering capability.

For the groupset, SRAM's 11-speed Rival1 Hydraulic is the choice. The Rival1 DoubleTap hydraulic disc levers (left is brake only), Rival1 long cage rear derailleur, and Rival1 flat mount hydraulic disc calipers with 160mm rotors. The cassette is Rival level PowerGlide 11-42 while the chain is also SRAM. An alloy FSA Omega 1x crankset features at 42T ring, and it rides on an FSA BB386PF bottom bracket. Rival is known for it's solid functionality and value, while offering a very similar feel and precision to ot's Force1 sibling.

The tires are Schwalbe's G-One Allroad TLE 700x38 size. Fast rolling, smooth riding, with grip and control that belies the tread allows them to speed along and corner well on pavement and hardpack. Matched with the tubeless ready Fulcrum Racing 7 DB 100x12mm Front, 142x12mm Rear wheelset, the combo is durable, reliable and stable. The wheels feature DRP double-seal hubs, the Center Lock disc interface and a Shimano/SRAM 11-speed road freehub. The kit items are mostly 3T, with the gravel/offroad, 3T Superergo Pro handlebar, Apto Pro alloy stem, and Corius bar tape. A WTB Volt saddle rests atop the frameset specific carbon 3T Charlie Sqaero seatpost.