Not going to lie, I like the look of integrated cockpits. Unfortunately, given my boyish shoulders + adult body, I can’t really use them. And the new Roval Aplinist cockpit is no exception, with no option for a 38cm bar x 130mm stem :(. That said, the price is a jaw dropping $600 (SRP), so if I’m completely honest, I’d probably stick with my current setup anyway. Also lacking, at least to my eye, is the option to internally route the cables/hoses. Which if it is missing seems a bit of a miss. That said, for the serious weight weenie, it would be hard to say “no” to that 255g total system weight.
Oh, and there’s also a lightweight seatpost that I can’t use on either of my road bikes :P.
Alpinist Component Details:
Cockpit
Full Carbon, Ti stem bolts with replaceable nut plate Integrated computer mounting point Di2/EPS Compatible Traditional Bend with 125mm drop, 75mm reach 6 degree Stem Angle Weight: 255g (42cm x 110mm) 10 Sizes:
40cm bar x 80, 90, 100mm stem lengths 42cm bar x 90, 100, 110mm stem lengths 44cm bar x 110, 120, 130mm stem lengths System Weight Limit: 275lbs / 125kg MSRP $600Seatpost:
Carbon Fiber Construction 2-bolt micro-adjust clamp with 46mm saddle rail cradle enables an effective offset from 0mm to 20mm. 12mm nominal setback 27.2 X 300MM = 136G 27.2 X 360MM = 141G System Weight Limit: 275lbs / 125kg MSRP: $275
While the cockpit caught my eye initially, the Terra carbon seatpost is much more interesting to me. Weight is good, as we would expect, but it’s really the 18mm of potential compliance that entices. Naturally tires provide the first, and most important, bit of comfort for a gravel bike, but there’s no denying that you want a compliant seatpost batting cleanup. Of course it won’t walk in the door for nothing; SRP is $250. But, I will definitely be adding this to my deals “watch list”.
Should it pop up, I will let you all know (after securing my own, of course ;)).
TERRA:
As with the category-defying characteristics of the Terra CLX and CLX EVO wheelsets, the Terra seatpost is designed to excel on any sort of mixed-terrain ride, from rough chip seal to full-on jeep track. Roval engineers devised a layup that delivers up to 18mm of compliance while keeping the weight low, avoiding complex shapes and mechanical dampers to deliver the best gravel post possible at a race-ready weight. The Terra seatpost and wheelsets truly capture the spirit of gravel performance with road-like weight and trail-ready toughness.
Terra Seatpost Details:
Full Carbon Construction Single Bolt Clamp Up to 18mm of deflection for compliance (varies based on offset and extension) Available in four variants:
27.2 X 330MM X 20MM = 199G 27.2 X 380MM X 20MM = 213G 27.2 X 330MM X 0MM = 194G 27.2 X 380MM X 0MM = 208G System Weight Limit: 275lbs / 125kg MSRP: $250