The concept is complete
We can hardly believe how quickly time flies. Four months have passed since we launched our THE SUPERFAST project. At the beginning, there was only the name and the frame number 001 in a golden picture frame. We discussed the important questions about the concept with you. What should the ultimate gravel bike look like? Which details are important? All the surveys have now been evaluated. Now it's really starting: THE SUPERFAST is taking shape. There's even a first 3D model.
We can already say one thing: the bike will be unique. Light, elegant, fast. And handmade in Germany, like our parts. Series production is scheduled to start in the summer.
It is our pleasure to present the details to you. Our engineers have worked hard on the concept and found many special solutions. We have incorporated your wishes. But not every one has been implemented 1:1. Why? We will explain this point by point. Here is an overview of all the details.
RANGE OF USE
Race, all-road/endurance or bikepacking? We weren't surprised by the result of the vote. 71 percent want a race gravel bike. That also fits perfectly with the name THE SUPERFAST.
What does that mean for the design? First of all, aggressive geometry designed for maximum performance. A geometry for UCI races, but also for fast laps after work.
The frame will be extremely light. But at the same time, it has to be stable enough for the toughest conditions. A big challenge for designers. But we have experience with this. Our mountain bike frame THE FRAME, at 795 grams in size M, is one of the lightest in the world and performs well in tough conditions. Our 8.3-kilogram THE FRAME hardtail was named the test winner by the renowned BIKE magazine (issue BIKE 1.2025). The bikes from Stoll and Last, whose frames are built in our manufactory, are also among the best in the world. Our aim is to set benchmarks.
CABLE ROUTING
Should the cables be routed internally or externally? From a visual point of view, the answer is clear. After all, power cables are also routed under the plaster. However, there are arguments in favor of external routing. This makes service work easier. That is why there are also power cables that are routed over the plaster. In utility rooms. Where aesthetics are not as important as purely functional aspects.
The result of our survey: 31 percent do not want internal cable routing. The majority of 69 percent prefer the clean look of internal cable routing.
We have decided on full integration. The cables will run almost invisibly through the handlebars, headset and frame. Installation requires a little more effort, but it's not rocket science. For us, it's the perfect solution, not least for aerodynamic reasons.
The technical implementation is challenging for our engineers. The cables must not rattle. In addition, the internal routing from the handlebars via the head tube to the rear end must be precisely designed.
STORAGE BOX
There is a simple and cheap way to transport tools, a spare inner tube and a windbreaker: the classic saddle bag. However, storage compartments that are integrated into the frame are trendy. This looks good. However, a storage compartment means more weight and a higher manufacturing cost.
19 percent don't need a storage compartment. 81 percent want one.
THE SUPERFAST will be available in both versions. With and without a storage compartment. We are already in the middle of development. It should be a small SOS storage compartment for tools, a spare tube, a CO2 cartridge and a windbreaker. There are many exciting questions to be answered. Where exactly should the storage box be? How big does it need to be? What is the best closure? How does the construction need to be so that nothing rattles? With the help of 3D-printed models, we can test the function of the constructions and assess them well.
SEAT POST CLAMP
External, classic clamping or integrated solution? We had expected a close vote. Of course, an integrated clamping looks elegant. But an external clamping can also have a great look. The seat clamps from Chris King, Hope or Salsa are small, beautifully crafted works of art. In addition, you can choose your favorite color to set accents.
With 64 percent voting for an internal clamping system, the result was surprisingly clear. Nevertheless, there are obviously many fans of the classic clamping system. That's why we decided on a special solution. THE SUPERFAST gets a classic clamp with the discreet look of an internal clamping system. The feedback on our 3D-printed model is consistently positive. The clamping system will be an exclusive custom-made product.
TIRE WIDTH
The answer to the question of what maximum tire width should be used is crucial when developing a frame. The market now offers tires in all variations. From the classic 33-millimeter-thin cyclocross tires to 50-millimeter-thick gravel models. Some gravel bikes even have space for real mountain bike tires in the 29x2.3 format, which corresponds to a width of 60 millimeters. It's not just bikepacking fans who like these fat tires. What tire width should THE SUPERFAST be designed for?
We expected it: most people want to ride 45-millimeter-thick tires. This size is established in racing. It offers the best balance of rolling behavior, acceleration, weight and grip. 34 percent would like even wider tires. That doesn't surprise us either. Meanwhile, you also see 50-millimeter tires more and more often in gravel races.
THE SUPERFAST is designed for a maximum tire width of 50 millimeters. But that also depends on the respective tire model. How wide does the tire expand? A 50 millimeter tire is not necessarily exactly the same as another 50 millimeter model. We will test it and work out an overview of the models that fit THE SUPERFAST.
Bottom Bracket
Based on experience, this question also divides the gravel community into two groups: threaded bottom bracket or press-fit bearing?
Press-fit bearings fit elegantly into the frame and are lightweight. There are usually two reasons why they are controversial: they are considered to be prone to wear. And they are often the source of creaking noises. However, the cause rarely lies with the press-fit bearings themselves, but almost always with inaccurately manufactured frames. Press-fit bearings require absolutely precise bearing seats. But this precision is difficult to achieve with aggressively calculated series production.
BSA bearings are considered less susceptible. They can be used to compensate for tolerances in the bottom bracket shell to a certain extent.
As a manufactory, we eliminate such problems. Our frames are so perfectly manufactured that press-fit bearings do not wear out prematurely or make annoying creaking noises. We have experience with this. After all, we have been manufacturing premium frames for Stoll Bikes and Last Bikes for years. Our own mountain bike frame THE FRAME also has press-fit bearings.
We want to develop THE SUPERFAST for you, so the result of this vote is also important to us.
62 percent voted for press-fit and 38 percent for a classic, screw-in bottom bracket.
A clear result. Nevertheless, we discussed it intensively. We will offer THE SUPERFAST for both variants. This way, everyone has the option of choosing the bottom bracket they want.
PAINT JOB VS. RAW-CARBON
The products from our production line are traditionally unpainted. Why? Because they don't need painting. The carbon layup is so perfectly laid in the molds that it is a pleasure to look at the matt shimmering carbon. In super sports cars, Plexiglas panels provide a view of the masterpiece – the engine. With our parts, no paint should cover the beautiful surface.
Nevertheless, we asked: should THE SUPERFAST be painted or not? As an additional alternative, we brought foil coating into play. 88 percent of you voted for a raw carbon look. So it's clear: THE SUPERFAST will also have a puristic look.
Incidentally, our characteristic, shimmering matte carbon look is the result of an elaborate finishing process. After baking, each part is polished in several stages. First with a coarser polish, then with a finer one and finally with a very fine wet polish. This work process can take several hours, depending on the part.
THE DRIVETRAIN
When it comes to the drivetrain, the market is divided. Drivetrains with a single chainring are the big trend. However, drivetrains with a front derailleur also still have a large fan base. This is a bit of a problem when developing the ultimate gravel bike. If everything really has to be 100% optimal, you have to decide on one variant. The design of the bottom bracket area also depends on how many chainrings you want to have space for. A front derailleur also needs a mount. But this is completely unnecessary if you decide on a 1-by drivetrain.
We were very excited to see the results of the survey. 69 percent want single cranks, 31 percent swear by double cranks.
So what should we do? Design THE SUPERFAST exclusively for 1-by cranks and exclude the fans of 2-by cranks?
We have decided to make both options possible. Without compromising on looks or function, of course. Our engineers have an exciting idea for how to realize this. More on this soon.
Frame number
THE SUPERFAST – an overview of the details
- Race geometry
- frame set with fork and cockpit
- Integrated storage box
- Maximum tire width of 50 millimeters
- Internal cable routing
- Front derailleur possible
- Raw carbon look
- 100 percent made in Germany
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