Covid caused the cancellation of some bike industry awards, but the 2021 Design & Innovation Awards went ahead – with bike and accessories specialist 3T taking home two award wins.
3T notes that the Design & Innovation Award is… ‘one of the few bike awards using a big jury and lots of actual riding. So, products aren’t judged on a slick presentation, but rather they take all the products and the jury to a nice location and ride, ride, ride.’
One would think that this is the most difficult style of award to actually organize during a pandemic. But somehow they managed.
3T’s first award winner is the Exploro Racemax, about which the jury wrote…
‘The 3T Exploro RaceMax doesn’t just look fast: it’s one of the fastest gravel bikes on the planet! Thanks to the aerodynamic optimisation of the seat tube, which hugs the rear tyre closely, an aerodynamically shaped down tube and cable routing inspired by triathlon bikes, it cuts through the air with minimal resistance.
‘With its stable ride, predictable handling and a stiff frameset, the Italians have hit the bull’s eye for the second version of the Exploro. Alongside the high-speed tuned Race build, this gravel bike demonstrates that it’s a master of transformation in the Max build. With the frameset clearing 650 x 61B tyres, which complement the already good vibration damping of the frame to increase comfort more; the Max is ready for relaxed adventures away from surfaced gravel tracks.’
The Design & Innovation Award jury turned to 3T’s accessories for its second winner, the Discus 45 | 40 LTD. This is billed by 3T as ‘the world’s first aero wheelset optimized for wide gravel tyres.’
The jury wrote…
‘Performance-oriented riders and racers are battling the clock and the competition on gravel. Italian manufacturer 3T have recognised the trend, developing the aerodynamic Discus 45 | 40 LTD wheelset in response.
‘It seeks its equal, eking out the last ounce of time savings and speed from rider and bike. Whereas other aerodynamic wheels are susceptible to side winds and are heavier due to their deeper rims, the 3T Discus 45 | 40 wheelset shows itself unimpressed by the former and at 1,650g, doesn’t push up the weight much either.
‘With a 29 mm internal width, the rims are optimised for tyres from 35 to 40 mm, making them perfect for the kind of rubber that makes sense on a gravel race bike.’
www.3t.bike
www.design-innovation-award.com/winner-2021
