The all-new Chapter2 AO gravel bike hits a lot of design points by building in tons of clever features that let you customize the build and ride feel. There are plenty of mounts, but the combination of modular cable entry port plates, a huge BB access port, and adjustable chainstay length really let you make it your own. Oh, and it’s only sold as a frameset, so you can build it up with whatever group and wheels you want, too.
The Chapter2 brand is headed up by Mike Pryde, formerly with the now defunct Neil Pryde bicycle brand. It’s still based in New Zealand, and the bikes are still made in Asia and ship straight from their Hong Kong HQ. The name AO comes from the Maori word for “earth”, and it’s fitting for a roamer like this.
Up front, the fork gets a forward jut at the crown to boost stiffness…and for aesthetics. It weighs in a 425g uncut, and the frame is 950g (claimed).
Up top are bento box mounts…
…and underneath is the cable management system. The frames ship with all the options, with corresponding port quantities and types for wireless, wired, 1x and 2x drivetrains, plus dropper posts and rear brakes. Pick the one you need and you’ll have a tidy system with no extra holes.
They’re also clearly marked so you know which one goes where. Further down is a battery/junction box cover plate that hides under a water bottle cage.
Dropped driveside chainstay improves tire and chainring clearance, letting you fit up to 700×42 or 650Bx47.
The bike also ships with this chain guide, which mounts to the front derailleur braze-on.
The rear axle sits inside it’s own alloy hardware and starts at 420mm in the center position.
You can then move it forward or backward by 7.5mm each direction to change the rear center and effective chainstay length. Go longer for a more stable endurance ride, or shorter for a snappier bike.
In the back is a removable fender mount, which simply clamps around the seatstays. Use that with the integrated lower mounting points at the rear axle, or just remove it for a cleaner look.
Here’s the main specs and features as a list:
- Carbon: Toray T700 & T800
- 5 Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Disc Only
- Frame Weight (M): 950g +/- 3%
- Fork Weight (uncut): 425g +/- 3%
- 31.6mm Seatpost: 195g +/- 3%
- CHAPTER2 Headset: 1-1/8” – 1.5”
- CHAPTER2 Stem: 80, 90, 100, 110, 120mm
- BB: BSA Threaded
- Brakes: Flat Mount Disc Only (No Rim Option)
- Thru Axle Type: 12×100 & 12×142 E-Thru M12 x 1.5
- Tire Clearance: 650B (47mm) & 700c (42mm)
- Rear Drop Out Adjustment: +7.5mm / 0mm / -7.5mm
- Rear Centre: 427.5mm / 420mm / 412.5mm
- 2x and 1x compatible (w/ 1x chain guide)
- 3x water bottle mounts (1 under down tube)
- Bento Box: mount on top tube
- Fender and Pannier Mounts
- Safety Standard: ISO 4210:2014
And here’s a short video of the bike:
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…just ignore that last bit about them offering complete builds, Chapter2 only sells them as framesets. Those include frame, fork, carbon seatpost, alloy stem and headset for $2,639 USD (3,299 AUD). Available by mid-September, possibly a bit earlier.
Several paint schemes are available, including this one with a topo-style graphic on the bottom of the downtube.
