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BH GravelX R Focuses on Gravel Racing with Lighter, Simplified Carbon Frame

2024 BH GravelX R lightweight carbon gravel race bike
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BH expands on their micro-suspension GravelX gravel bike with a new lighter, faster GravelX R race bike that pares back to the essentials for racing. No comfort extras, just all the pure performance features to make this BH’s fastest-ever gravel race bike. Lightweight, stiff, aerodynamic, and with all the integration you could want but not the hassles…

2024 BH GravelX R lightweight carbon gravel race bike

2024 BH GravelX R lightweight carbon gravel race bike, riding
(Photos/BH)

While the GravelX has always been BH’s all-rounder gravel platform, its latest generation evolved with a strategically flexing rear end for all-day rough riding comfort.

But now, the BH GravelX R leaves extra comfort behind to focus more on racing. That’s what the R is there for.

BH GravelX R light carbon gravel race bike, familiar styling

It inherits the same styling and overall outline of BH’s latest fast gravel bike – down to the bulbous headtube, dropped stays, and forward-swept “Air Bow” fork crown design. But it gets rid of the bump-eating pivoting seatstays & flex chainstays of the regular GravelX in a hunt for absolute speed.

BH GravelX R light carbon gravel race bike, integrated cockpit

You still get fully integrated internal cable routing through the headset, but the BH GravelX R keeps full position adjustability and serviceability with a separate alloy stem with a bolt-on cabling guide and a regular handlebar.

BH GravelX R light carbon gravel race bike, non-driveside

Overall, the hollow core molded (HCIM) hi-mod carbon frame gets optimized for lighter weight and maximum race-ready stiffness.

Tech details

BH GravelX R light carbon gravel race bike, angled
  • max 700c x 45mm tire clearance
  • Integrated internal cable routing through the headtube, but with a separate bar & ICR stem
  • PressFit BB386 EVO bottom bracket
  • hidden wedge-style seatpost clamp
  • removable front derailleur mount & conventional replaceable rear derailleur hanger
  • 5 standard 2-bolt bottle cage mounts: 2x downtube, 1x seattube, 2x fork legs
  • Compatible with the aero BH Toolbox that mounts below a set of matching aero water bottles
  • 12mm thru-axles, with hidden QR levers front & rear

BH GravelX R gravel bike – Pricing, options & availability

2024 BH GravelX R lightweight carbon gravel race bike, geometry

The all-new fast gravel BH GravelX R carbon race bike comes in 4 frame sizes (S-XL) and is offered in 4 bike builds.

Complete bikes start at 3300€ for the GravelX R 3.5 with a wide Shimano GRX mechanical 1x 12sp (10-45T) groupset and alloy Vison TC30i wheels. Go 2×12 with the GravelX R 5.5 for 3500€ with its GRX 46/30T x 11-34T compact spread and the same wheels.

2024 BH GravelX R lightweight carbon gravel race bike, 4.5 Apex AXS
BH GravelX R 4.5 Apex AXS

An electronic upgrade to SRAM Apex AXS Xplr 1×12 brings the cost of the GravelX R 4.5 to just 3700€, again with the same alloy wheelset.

2024 BH GravelX R lightweight carbon gravel race bike, 6.5 GRX Di2
2024 BH GravelX R 6.5 GRX Di2 2×12

Or, pick the top of the line with the 5000€ BH GravelX R 6.5 and you get a Shimano GRX Di2 2×12 electronic groupset and an upgrade to carbon Vision SC45 wheels.

2024 BH GravelX R lightweight carbon gravel race bike, riding

Most of the new gravel race bikes are available now via your local BH dealer. And then, the Di2 builds are expected to arrive in-store from September.

BHbikes.com

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8 Comments
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FritzP
FritzP
4 months ago

I’m predicting that 45mm max tire clearance for gravel race bikes is going to be old school soon.

FasterThanEwe
FasterThanEwe
4 months ago
Reply to  FritzP

Yep. 45 max isn’t a gravel bike. It’s an all-road bike.

Choncho
Choncho
4 months ago
Reply to  FasterThanEwe

I 100% agree. I still have my gravel bike from 2016 and have recently just been coming to the conclusion that even with 45c tires I enjoy it just as much as a road bike. While I can still do plenty of gravel, knowing that there are bikes with clearance for 2.1″ and with the results with this year’s gravel bikes I see xc tires becoming the new gravel standard

Elmersfudricx
Elmersfudricx
4 months ago
Reply to  FritzP

Kind of agree because why not add clearance for 50, but also that’s not what this bike is built for. It is intended as a “gravel racing bike” and for you really don’t need anything above 45 for gravel racing. If you need above a 45 you are riding more technical terrain and while that can be fun – its not what this is a tool for. Ive ridden my gravel bike with 2.1’s and didn’t like it. At some point, big tires just start to feel slow.

DefRyder
DefRyder
4 months ago

There are quite a few gravel bikes sold in other countries that I’d love to see sold in the USA. Merida Silex, Rose Backroad FF, Megamo Silk, Ribble Gravel SL, to name a few…

I’m aware those bikes could be purchased through unofficial channels and service/parts availability could be a challenge, but it would be nice have more options than the typical ‘big 3 (or 4 or 5), etc…

jonathan
jonathan
4 months ago

I dig the horizontal top tube! could be a good choice for cx.

Dave
Dave
4 months ago

Love their bikes. Too bad there is no US distributor.

Andrew
Andrew
4 months ago

Think its an either-Or situation with regards to the downtube bottle mounts, or think you can have 3 usable bottle cages within the front triangle simultaneously?

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