Spread across products from groupset producer Sram, wheelmaker Zipp, and suspension specialist Rockshox, the XPLR range pushed the limits of component design. At this year's gravel heavy Rouleur Live show, you'll be able to see the entire range in one place.
Hung off BMC's almost equally radical URS gravel bike, Sram's stand will offer a glimpse of some of the most progressive technologies available. Whether it's the extreme range of Sram's electronic single-ring groupsets or Zipp's deliberately flexible carbon wheelsets, many of the products offer technologies not found elsewhere. Generating a furore in the gravel world almost akin to the introduction of disc brakes on road bikes, Rockshox will also be showing its Rudy suspension fork and wireless Reverb dropper seatpost. Providing 40mm and either 50 or 75mm of movement, respectively, they're destined to be all over 2022's more adventurous gravel bikes.
Currently representing gravel's non-plus-ultra, the range takes many features already found in the mountain bike segment and applies them to drop handlebar bikes. Taken up by one of the world's two largest component makers, it'd be hard to now describe any of the technologies as niche. Likely to influence gravel bike design solely through their existence, their presence is sure to make Sram's stand an excellent place to get a look at how bikes of the future might be equipped.
Deignan's Paris-Roubaix winning Domane
Another superb reason to swing by will be to see Lizzie Deignan's single chainring Trek Domane. Fresh from the course at Paris-Roubaix, where Deignan achieved a stunning win in the inaugural women's race, it'll also be on Sram's stand.
Using the firm's Red groupset, Deignan opted for a 50t chainring paired to a wide-ratio cassette beginning with a tiny 10t sprocket and extending up to 33t. Offering 12 sequential gears and electronic shifting, it's a system that manages to provide the range normally afforded by twin chainring set-ups but with more effortless shifting and fewer components.
Specially built for Paris-Roubaix, the bike also features tubeless tyres, along with remote shifter buttons attached to the top of the handlebar. Clearly providing all the right stuff for the Trek-Segafredo rider, you can find a more in-depth rundown of the bike here.
Split across the three brands; you'll also be able to explore Zipp's full range of on and off-road wheelsets, along with Sram's recently updated range of groupsets, plus gravel-specific products from Rockshox.
Taking place in London between the 4-6th November, Rouleur Live will be a great opportunity to speak to the people behind each of the bikes. More information and tickets can be found here.
