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IB15: Advocate Cycles Speaks for the (700)c’s, with New Lorax Gravel Bike

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advocate lorax cross gravel bike-2

After starting with fat and plus size tires, Advocate Cycles is moving to something a bit skinnier. Based out of Minneapolis, Advocate has been making noise in the bicycle world thanks to their positioning as a Special Benefit Corporation. The arrangement allows for Advocate to operate as a business while giving back 100% of the profits after expenses to bicycle based advocacy. Perhaps the way forward for many businesses, it was recently announced that Kickstarter is now a similar Public Benefit Corporation as well.

For Advocate cycles though, it’s not just about the advocacy, but it’s also about the bikes. Founder Tim Krueger mentioned he didn’t want to sell product he wasn’t proud of just because of the advocacy model. Instead he wanted to make the bikes he really wanted to ride while also giving back to the community. Their new Lorax is an example of just that – it’s meant to be an affordable, steel cross/gravel/do it all bike with modern components and a fun ride…

advocate cycles lorax gravel cross touring bike steel (12)

advocate cycles lorax gravel cross touring bike steel (11) advocate cycles lorax gravel cross touring bike steel (15)

Continuing their use of local artists for the bicycle’s graphics, the Lorax get a custom illustration from Adam Turman. Featuring the Minnesota state tree of the Norway Pine, the illustration is Adam’s take on the popular children’s book centered around the Lorax.

Built around a long and low geometry more similar to a gravel bike, the Lorax is meant to ride anything from city/touring to gravel or even cyclocross. The Reynolds 525 steel frame offers a quality ride a price that is within most consumers’ budgets. Tim pointed out that there are many affordable steel bikes on the market, but few that offer a carbon fork which is key to the performance of the bike. Because of that, the Lorax uses a tapered carbon fork with quick release dropouts (400mm A2C, 50mm offset) .

advocate cycles lorax gravel cross touring bike steel (19)

advocate cycles lorax gravel cross touring bike steel (18) advocate cycles lorax gravel cross touring bike steel (14)

We’re told that the bike will gain a thru axle fork option in the future, but Advocate is waiting on the completion of a new fork that they are working on. Out back, the Lorax ships with 135mm QR dropouts, but since it uses the same Portage dropout plates as their other bikes, it is already compatible with 142x12mm rear hubs. Like the other bikes, the Portage dropouts also allow for single speed use with a SS specific set of dropout plates with built-in chain tensioners.

advocate cycles lorax gravel cross touring bike steel (16) advocate cycles lorax gravel cross touring bike steel (10)

advocate cycles lorax gravel cross touring bike steel (17)

As you would expect from a do it all frame, there are braze ons for complete fenders and rear racks as well. Tire clearance should allow for a 40 mm tire with fender, for a 45 mm tire without. Stock, the bike will ship with 38s. Part of that tire clearance is due to the use of a pressfit 86 bottom bracket shell which Tim stands behind, even though he said it has been one of the few sources of criticism for the bikes. He pointed out that the pressfit shell allows them to provide tire clearance for the 45 mm tire without aggressive manipulation of the chain stays. The more manipulation of the stays, the greater chance of them failing in the future.

Other frame features include the use of downtube posts just in case somebody ever wants to run down tube shifters (and it also supplies a location for barrel adjusters that actually work), as well as fully external Cable housing.

Pricing is set for $999 for the frame and fork, and just $1799 for the complete Tiagra 10 speed build with Avid BB7s mechanical disc brakes. Expect to see a titanium version of the Lorax in March, with the steel version available then as well.

advocatecycles.com

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abc
abc
8 years ago

very nice bike

Philip
Philip
8 years ago

Great paint. Looks promising; I hope the TI version uses front and rear TA. Could be a great high end alternative to something like a carbon Warbird.

Ryan
Ryan
8 years ago

If only it had adjustable dropouts. Stick a rocker on, open up the possibilities.

Rob
Rob
8 years ago

Gt corsa disc a better option?

AdventuresAnonymous
AdventuresAnonymous
8 years ago

@Ryan – it does have that option. All you need to do is get the SS version of the Portage dropout, according to the copy above…

Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago

I wish there was another build other than Tiagra. Sure its updated this year but who would want Tiagra on such a nice frame? 105 would be a huge step up for not a ton of money, or offer Tiagra and Ultegra

BluesDawg
BluesDawg
8 years ago

I like the Tiagra build spec for this bike. It seems a good match for a 525 steel frame. Also, Tiagra offers an easier path to the lower gearing options many will want with a bike like this. The mid-cage RD is officially compatible with up to a 34T cassette cog. Would be curious to see how a 12-36 would work. Even if it didn’t, the option is there to use a 9 speed MTB RD.

TheRuckus
TheRuckus
8 years ago

That green is rubbing me just the right way. Anyone know more details on how to find out distribution details in New England for these puppies?

Adam
8 years ago

TheRuckus, right now we are working on distribution across the country. E-mail me at adam@advocatecycles.com with your location and any questions you may have and I will get you pointed to a dealer.

Veganpotter, I think you will be surprised at how well the Tiagra line works now a days. You are seeing it spec’ed on even higher priced bikes like the Salsa Warbird at $1999

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