I’m looking at this bike. It’s a 2023 model ( I think ) but comes with a Torno carbon crankset and carbon aero handlebars.
Groupset is SRAM Force.
What are your opinions? Buy it or leave it?
For sale at LBS for 3000 instead of 6400
PS: I know the brake line on top of the toptube is weird 😉
by Origin87
10 Comments
Whole stem situation is weird.
People seem to like them. Their names can be a little confusing, but I would see if they have the Ultra, which I believe has more tire clearance.
Side note: I don’t subscribe to the “must have room for 2.2’s” list. I prefer 45-47, and believe that’s more than enough for me. Then again, I grew up on 23s. 25s were balloons when I switched.
It rips. I love it. Have the exact same one but with Zipps.
Only downside is you can’t ride it in any kind of wet conditions.
Assume you’ve ridden it, and if you liked it, go for it. Great bike. Opinions galore but go for it.
I have one, its really good, would definitely buy another but there are a couple of weird things to note. Firstly the bottom headset bearing is a custom cane creek one that you can only get as part of the set from 3T and thats about £100, then I had a bit of a nightmare removing the threaded together BB as it was locktited in the middle (had to heat it) and yea the clearances arent the best compared to newer frames, I run 40mm on my 700c and 2.2inch on a 650b set.
Other than that its fast, surprisingly durable and really fun to ride.
Check and see if it has a hang loose derailleur. I have that on my 3T and haaate it. Essentially when you remove the thru axel the derailleur comes off.
I’d pass. Fun bike, but even the new rival is total game changer and you would likely want a larger cassette.
Carbon cranks save a bit of weight… handlebars are hit or miss. Higher likelihood of crashing and breaking them, which sucks… little bit more comfy I suppose thou bigger tires offer more comfort.
This is a one off, but my wife bought one last April. The third ride (in June) she had been on(and not long rides either), one side of the crank fell off. Thankfully, we weren’t in the middle of nowhere, or it would have been problematic for sure. I had assumed that the crank hadn’t been tightened enough, so thought it was bad on the bike shop that assembled it. We took it in, they initially thought the same, and kept the bike to investigate. After a few days, they determined that the frame was slightly off and that it should be a warranty claim. They took that to 3T, and there was some back and forth for a bit till the finally agreed it was a warranty claim. This was getting into July. The bike shop thought the new bike would be delivered sept/Oct. they had provided a demo bike, so it was ok. As long as it is ready for the spring, no worries. October came, and no bike. More back and forth with the bike shop to figure out when they would have something, but no commitment from 3T. Finally, in February, we heard that the frame is built, and it just needs to be delivered. We are still waiting. This has been a very painful process, to say the least. And not that this will happen to you, but this was our experience.
3T Exploro i love that bike. I believe is the most beautiful bike ever made to be honest. Not a fan of the color though.
It’s the most unforgiving bike I’ve ever ridden, haha. It was during the time when 3T and Vroomen pretty much said that all suspension needed were to be in the tyres. So the frame itself is stiffer than my road bike, and honestly, it was horrible to ride. Like sitting on a steel block. It’s also a bike that pushed for 650b wheels to actually fit any decent tyres. So you’ll be stuck with either too small tyres or with 650b, both are sub optimal.
Good price but I’d skip… I’d rather get an entry level modern gravel bike with new SRAM Rival. Better shifting, better levers, brakes, everything. A lot has happened since that 3T came out, especially in the gravel sphere.