German component manufacturer Acros is coming out of hibernation on its gravel plans, debuting a wide, flared drop bar aimed at the off-road drop bar crowd. Yeah, these cute graphics will bet partially covered up with your double wrap of bar tape, but you’ll know they’re there.
The tops have a nice flat extension to the brake mounts, which should help you create a comfy perch for long miles on the road to nowhere (and everywhere). They’ll only come in a wide 44mm size, which they say makes plenty of room for a handlebar roll bag between the bends.
If your gravel bike pulls double duty as a commuter and you don’t want to clip in, they have these new Urban Pedals. The tops use a replaceable grip tape, and the reflectors are removable. Keep them in place, though, and they meet German safety standards for brightness, so they’re legal for use on the streets.
The new XC Race Carbon SLS wheels are built Sapim CX Ray spokes on Acros’ Nineteen CNC machined hubs. What sets them apart is a mixed width rim setup, using a wider front rim where you want to maximize traction, and a narrower rear rim where you might run a slimmer tire to save rotational weight and improve acceleration and rolling speed.
It’s hard to see, but the front rim measures 28mm inside, and the rear is 25mm. Rim heights differ, too, coming in at 21mm front and 19mm rear, which helps make the rear a bit more compliant…a good thing if you’re still racing on a hardtail.
They come in Boost and non-Boost versions with claimed weights of 1255g and 1220g respectively. They’re running 28 spokes front and rear and are available with Shimano or XD freehub bodies. Price is €1,399 for either, which is among the more affordable high end carbon wheelsets we’ve seen at this price.
