Otso Warakin Review: Fun & Versatile Steel Gravel Bike

Otso Warakin Steel Gravel Bike Review

“The Warakin versatile steel all-road bike that will carry its rider to any destination. It is designed for multi-surface rides, overnighters, gravel races, and commuting. Frame features include adjustable geometry; lots of mounts for cargo, racks, and fenders; clearance for 50mm tires; suspension-corrected geometry to run a suspension fork; and can be built with gears or single speed. No matter your riding plans, the Warakin will meet your needs for the road ahead.” – Otso Cycles

Otso Warakin Steel Gravel Bike Review Video

Alternative Video Link for those reading via email subscription

In this video, JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew provides a detailed review of the Otso Warakin Steel Allroad / Gravel Bike!

Frame Specifications

Bottom Bracket Standard: 68mm English Thread
Maximum Chainring Size: 2x 53T Round / 31T Round: 1x 50T Round or 46T Oval
Minimum Chainline: 47.5mm
Front Derailleur Compatible: Yes, except on size 49cm
Headset: ZS44 / 28.6 Upper, EC44 / 40.0 Lower
Seatpost Diameter: 27.2mm
Derailleur Hanger: Wolf Tooth Tuning Chip on the Right Dropout
Fork Axle-To-Crown: 420mm, Suspension Corrected up to 40mm Travel
Fork Offset: 47mm
Bare Frame Weight: 5.53lbs / 2,509gm (size 56cm)
Fork Weight (Lithic Hiili Carbon): 490gm
Frame Tyre / Tire Clearance: 700c & 650b x 50mm at 430mm / 440mm Chainstay Positions
Fork Tyre / Tire Clearance: 29″ x 2.1″ / 700c x 54mm
Maximum Rider Weight: 275lbs

Written Ride Experience (or see the video above)

This bike is simply a ton of fun to ride, made extra classy with the Honjo Fenders, which drew attention every time I rode it. The steel Warakin isn’t winning weight weenie contests here, tipping the scales at 24.4lbs / 11.06kg with Shimano XTR Pedals, and King Titanium Bottle Cages, but that isn’t the point. Certainly, you could shed some weight from the bike, but stripping it down would ultimately lose some of its appeal for me.

This bike’s fit is categorized as progressive, which usually means longer top tube, shorter stem and geometry that’s a little slacker. That also means I should have been riding the size 56, but I like to break the rules and ignore the recommended rider height and size of just about every manufacturer. Bike fitting is personal, what works for me, may not work for you, but I was very happy I chose to ride the smaller size bike. It felt snappier, slightly quicker handling, while retaining the plush feel and fab ride quality the geometry set out to achieve, aided by the Warakin’s steel frame. I freely admit I don’t like a super slow handling bike, which is what some of these progressive geometry bikes have become.

With that said, the Warakin steel isn’t a high-performance oriented machine, but realistically more suited as a great all-rounder that will tackle everything you throw at it, in a calm and predictable manner.

The tuning chip is a nice idea in concept, and I’ve tinkered with similar systems on other bikes. While the forward position does make a little difference, I just prefer the longest limousine setting, comfort over a slightly quicker riding bike, especially on this smaller size.

Bike packing isn’t my thing, but even with full-size bottles loaded onboard, there’s plenty of room beneath the top tube for a bag slung beneath it. I’d prefer to keep this bike in light touring mode with a Tailfin rack, trunk bag, and a couple of days kits and civvies to walk about town in. The Lithic Hiili all carbon forks adds versatility to the overall package, and gobs of tyre clearance. I didn’t ride this bike with the big rubber, but I wouldn’t surprised if you could fit 700c x 55mm tyres on the Warakin, which would really blur the lines between gravel and mountain bike. Ruh roh!

This review isn’t about the build kit or the sweet wheelet on this build, but I appreciate Otso’s available offerings, although I do wish a 2x option was available.

Quick segue, that wheelset features Minnesota made Onyx Hubs, and We Are One Composites rims; a really sweet handbuilt wheelset that suits this bike to a tee, and a wheelset I would love to keep for myself.

Overall, the Otso Cycles Warakin Steel Gravel Bike is a fun, capable and versatile bike, something very different to what I typically review. But I’ve enjoyed every kilometre / mile. Depending on how you spec the Warakin Steel from Otso Cycls, or build your own as a frame and fork, it potentially won’t break the bank.