Featured Bike: Curve Cycling’s GXR Titanium Gravel Cross Racer (aka Kevin) of Graveleur.cc

“Supporting Cycling Adventures. Hand Built Limited Edition Titanium and Steel Bikes. Designed in Australia, Ridden around the World.” – Curve Cycling

“Gravel Cross Racer. Grand Xploring Randonneur. Kevin. Name it what you want, ride it how you want.”

“We have taken the fun from our CXR Cyclocross racing frame, fused the adventure feels of the steel Grovel, and rolled it into one, neat do-it-all package. The GXR also has a brand new fork with HEAPS of tyre clearance and bike-packing features.”

Be sure to check out this article on the design and prototyping of the Curve Cycling GXR.

Features of the bike include tyre clearance designed to fit 700c x 45mm, but optimized around 700c x 38mm – 42mm. 650b is not left out, and the GXR will accept up to 650b/27.5 x 2.1″.

This example of the Curve Cycling GXR aka Kevin belongs to James of Graveleur.cc – Friends of Gravel Cyclist and based in what is arguably one of the best places to ride a gravel bike in Australia. Check out this ride I did with James earlier in 2018.

Above, the custom machined chainstay yoke helps increase tyre clearance and stiffness under load.

Curve keep things simple and rely on external cable routing, barring the case of a Di2 installation. In that instance, the electronics cables and required junction B boxe is hidden from view inside the frame.

James’ GXR is configured for a 1x/single chainring drivetrain, based on SRAM’s well-proven Force components.

The Curve GXR frame is built from double-butted 3AL 2.5V Grade 9 titanium and features a custom-machined 44mm headtube.

Above, James’ GXR puts the power to the rear wheel with a SRAM Force crankset and 44 tooth single chainring. Lurking behind and out of view is a Curve T47 bottom bracket.

Above, a SRAM Force 1 rear derailleur matched to a SRAM XG 1175 10-42 11-speed cassette.

A mechanical drivetrain in the case of this GXR, but electronic drivetrains are supported as well.

The Curve Cycling GXR supports a 27.2mm seatpost and is held in place with a 31.8mm seatpost clamp.

The GXR is a versatile bike and comes standard with rack mounts and three water bottle cage mounts.

James’ Curve GXR doesn’t sit around his house looking pretty.

Curve’s all-carbon fork supports the 12mm thru-axle standard and internalizes the brake housing. The front SRAM Force hydraulic caliper is flat mounted and paired to a 160mm Centerline disc brake rotor.

James likes to ride 700c and 650b. Pictured above is his GXR fitted with Curve’s 650b carbon wheelset shod with WTB’s Nano tyre in the 2.1″ size.

James of Graveleur.cc’s Curve Cycling GXR Gravel Cross Racer / Adventure Bike

• Frame: Curve GXR Titanium.
• Fork: Curve Carbon GXR for 12mm flat-mount disc brake.
• Headset: Curve HS1 1 1/8″ to 1.5″.
• Stem: Thomson – 90 mm 10° – / +.
• Handlebar: Salsa Cowbell 2.
• Bar Tape: Curve / Velo Black Microdot.
• Brakes: SRAM Force 1 Hydraulic.
• Brake Rotors: SRAM CLX Centreline 160mm .
• Brake / Shift Levers: SRAM Force 1 – Left-hand rear / Right-hand front brake and shifting – Aka motorcycle / Aussie style brake setup.
• Front Derailleur: N/A.
• Rear Derailleur: SRAM Force 1 11-speed with roller bearing clutch.
• Cassette: SRAM XG 1175 10 – 42 Wide Range 11-speed.
• Chain: SRAM 1170 Power Chain.
• Crankset: SRAM Force 1 with 44 tooth chainring.
• Bottom Bracket: Curve T47.
• Pedals: Shimano XT.
• Wheelset: 700c – Curve GravAl Wheels, Tubeless Ready with DT 350 CL hubs and Sapim CX Ray spokes. 650b – Curve Carbon.
• Tires: 700c – Clement Xplor MSO 40mm. 650b – WTB Nano 2.1″.
• Saddle: Fizik Arione CX Cr-Mo.
• Seatpost: Thomson with zero setback.
• Bottle Cages: Arundel Stainless Steel.

Curve Cycling