3T originally launched the Exploro aero gravel bike in 2016, as a performance gravel bike to perform not only on gravel, but also on paved roads. This was followed by a faster sibling, the Exploro Racemax, in 2020.
The Racemax fits tyres from 35mm up to a whopping 61mm, but aerodynamically it performs best with tyres sized 35-42mm.
Enter the new 3T Exploro Ultra, which also fits tyres from 35-61mm, but is optimized for the other upper end of that spectrum. For example, the downtube neck that redirects the airflow coming off the front tyre is wider on the Ultra than on the Racemax. Other changes include a slightly tuned geometry and a ‘very nifty seattube’.
At first glance, the seattube in the Exploro Ultra is aero like the Racemax, and has a rear wheel cutout like the Racemax. But aside from the fact this cutout is bigger to accommodate bigger 700c tyres, it has another trick.
While the outside is aero, the inside is round. So it fits a standard seatpost, giving riders the option to run a standard, dropper or suspension seatpost. This can be put to use on tricky terrain to keep better control over the bike.
In summary, the Ultra offers aerodynamics, wide tyre clearance and flexibility to choose a standard, dropper or suspension seatpost (27.2mm). There is no full suspension, though, on the new bike.
Here, the company explained… ‘3T sometimes gets this question about suspension on gravel bikes. Of course there is a market for anything and you can carve out as many niches as you like, but for the vast majority of gravel riders, active suspension doesn’t make a lot of sense.
‘Remember how we want to keep gravel fun? That means we need speed on paved roads. Adding weight and complexity through suspension doesn’t help that.
‘Of course, there may be off-road sections that are a little faster with suspension, but is it worth the slow-down on paved roads? But even more importantly, you’re going to give up paved fun in exchange for what? The off-road stuff is fun regardless, no need to add suspension for fun.’
The Ultra does have suspension, sort of. 3T points out that this comes with its… ‘hyper-efficient, super-proprietary, multi-linkage system that adds comfort & grip to the bike. It’s called the tyres. And once you run something up to a 61mm tyre on the Ultra, those tyres give you a ton of suspension.’
