The Exploro is designed to do it all.
The road and cross tires are 700c, the mountain bike tires use the 650b size, ensuring that all of these have virtually the same overall wheel diameter and therefore the same predictable handling. The Exploro is three bikes in one.
SpecificationsWith road wheels and tires, the Exploro is a very fast aero road bike.
Switch to monster 2.1" (54mm) mountain bike tires to conquer the toughest terrain.
Stay with a medium-sized tire to mix on- and off-road segments on your rides.
Why is aerodynamics important on allroad(asphalt, gravel, fire roads, single track) rides?
- You may go slow off-road, but on the connecting asphalt sections you need road riding speed.
- If you're slow because of gradients, aero doesn't matter much. But if it's due to head- or crosswinds, you're slow relative to the ground but very fast relative to the air and that' what determines the resistance you experience (that' exactly why you're slow).
3T didn't want the Exploro to be fast in theory, but in the real world. So they tested it at a realistic 20mph (32kmh) instead of the standard 30mph (48kmh) and optimized the frame for water bottles (tough to do long, epic rides without). 3T even designed the Sqaero shape to work well when covered in mud! The result? A muddy Exploro with 40mm knobby gravel tires and 2 water bottles is faster than the equivalent clean round tube bike is with 28mm slick road tires and without bottles.
The key to the Exploro's speed is the aero downtube that is wide enough to catch the airflow coming off the big front tire (a skinny downtube wouldn't even touch the airflow). But at 50mm wide, a full airfoil with a normal ratio would have to be 150-200mm deep, causing too much surface drag. So they square off the tail, keeping most of the aero performance with a 50x75mm cross section that is also close to perfect for strength and stiffness; our Sqaero shape. The wide downtube also effectively shields the water bottle
CHECKPOINT CHARLIE: For mechanical efficiency and safety, both seat post and seat tube have a minimum insertion. The Checkpoint ensures you insert the Charlie seat post far enough into the seat tube.
FLATMOUNT BRAKES: Let' be clear, this is not a big deal. Post mount disc brakes work perfectly well, but the industry slowly moves to flat mount and that' fine too. We'll save our energy for a battle that actually matters.
SEATPOST EXPANDER: The original Exploro has a beautiful hidden expander, but a top-mounted expander is a bit more user-friendly so just like on the Strada, they now offer this design on the Exploro.
Build
Frame |
Exploro PRO |
Frame sizes |
Unidirectional pre-preg carbon, High-modulus/high-strength performance blend layup |
Frame color |
3T Fango PRO |
Sealed cartridge 1.125" - 1.5" |
|
Fork |
3T Superergo PRO (S: 40cm - M: 44cm - L: 44cm - XL: 44cm) |
Stem |
Apto PRO (S: 80cm - M: 90cm - L: 100cm - XL: 110cm) |
3T Handlebar |
Shimano GRX - Direct mount long cage |
Headset |
none |
Shifters |
Shimano GRX |
Rear Derailleur |
Shimano GRX Flat Mount Hydraulic Disc w/ Shimano 160mm Centerlock rotor |
Crankset |
Praxis Alba M30 DM (S: 170mm - M: 172,5mm - L: 175mm - XL: 175mm) |
Chainring |
Shimano CSM 7000 11-42T |
Bottom Bracket |
Fulcrum Racing 7 DB with DRP double-seal hubs, 700c, tubeless ready |
Chain |
WTB Riddler 700x37c |
Freewheel / Cassette |
WTB SL8 142mm Black |
Brake Levers |
Exploro PRO |
Front Brake |
Unidirectional pre-preg carbon, High-modulus/high-strength performance blend layup |
Rear Brake |
3T Fango PRO |
Cables |
Sealed cartridge 1.125" - 1.5" |
Saddle |
3T Superergo PRO (S: 40cm - M: 44cm - L: 44cm - XL: 44cm) |
Rims / Wheelset |
Apto PRO (S: 80cm - M: 90cm - L: 100cm - XL: 110cm) |
Tires |
Shimano GRX - Direct mount long cage |
Accessories |
none |