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ALTERNATIVELY... OR GO ELECTRIC... DON’T GET LOSTSTUFF PICKS
Buying an Italian bike isn’t
going to suddenly make you
look exotic in Lycra, and we
can’t do much about the fact
that you’re touring Luton,
not Lombardy. But because
Ciöcc (pronounced ‘church’
and meaning ‘poker face’)
cycles come from the region
of northern Italy that’s home
to some of the wildest routes
in Europe, you can be sure
the Pro Race Gravel has been
tested to its limits.
Designed as a combined
gravel bike and commuter
ride, it’s fitted with a Shimano
Ultegra Di2 drivetrain. We’dspec a Shimano GRX or
SRAM Force 1 groupset
for all-purpose adventuring,
though; plus there’s the
option to fit ‘go anywhere’
40mm tyres.
Those with magpie
tendencies will find it hard
to look past the dazzling
chrome paint job, wrapped
around a Columbus SL Series
steel frame. The geometry
aims to offer performance
and comfort with safe
handling and ample clearance
for challenging sections of
countryside, or the Milton
Keynes grid system.Pinnacle
Arkose D2
Given that the ‘D’
stands for ‘Dirt’,
it’s clear the D2
from British brand
Pinnacle is primed
for off-road use.
This gravel bike
staple has had a
revamp for 2020
and includes a
heat-treated alloy
frame, carbon
forks and 45mm
tyre clearance.
£1025 /
evanscycles.comWahoo
Elmnt Roam
Simple menus
and a bright,
clear colour
screen make
this an easy GPS
to recommend.
If you miss a
turn, it’ll reroute
automatically
on the unit or via
your phone – and
you’ll be back to
civilisation before
the chippy closes.
£300 / wahoo
fitness.comSpecialized
Turbo Creo SL
Expert EVO
With the same
320Wh battery,
240W motor and
carbon frame as
its road-going
cousin, this is the
lightest e-bike in
its class. Good for
80 miles, there’s
also an optional
40-mile extender
for help on the
homeward hills.
£7499 /
specialized.comCiöcc Pro Race Gravel
£4440 / grupettoitalia.co.ukSPIN CLASS
The Pro Race Gravel’s
Vision 30 wheels are
all-alloy and artisan-built
entirely by hand. We just
hope they were delicate
with the ABS
self-locking nipples.GRAVEL