Priority Bicycles’ new Apollo Flat Bar is a versatile all-road bike, ideal for commuting, gravel rides, grocery/beer runs, or just about anything else. Eddie Meek, Priority’s Head of Product Design, summed it up nicely, stating, “it’s fast enough to feel like a true performance bike, comfortable enough for everyday miles, and tough enough to take the long way home.”
This bike is a new version of Priority’s existing Apollo gravel bike, which features a drop bar. Of course, the Flat Bar model’s frame geometry has been adjusted to suit its cockpit. The new Apollo Flat Bar provides a more comfortable, upright seating option, and its familiar setup may appeal to MTB riders looking for a utility bike. As usual, Priority gives this bike a thoughtful build with commuter essentials, low-maintenance components, and ride comfort in mind.
Priority Bicycles Apollo Flat Bar:
The Apollo Flat Bar is built around a custom butted 6061 T6 aluminum frame, and up front, it gets a Priority Adventure full carbon fork. Like all of Priority’s bikes, the Apollo Flat Bar is equipped with a Gates CDX carbon belt drive, offering long-lasting durability while keeping mess and maintenance to a minimum.
Keeping the bike capable on all kinds of terrain, a 409% gear range is provided by a Shimano Alfine 11-speed internally geared hub. The hub is sealed to keep its gears protected from water, dirt, and dust. Gear changes are controlled by a Shimano Alfine 11 flat bar trigger shifter.
The Apollo Flat Bar rolls on tubeless-ready WTB KOM Team i23 700c rims, wrapped with 40mm wide WTB Byway gravel tires. The bike is compatible with 650b wheels as well, allowing riders to go wider and increase off-road performance. Priority doesn’t specify a max width for 650b tires, but they say the Apollo can handle up to 700x53mm treads.
Components:
For reliable all-weather stopping power, Priority specs Tektro 2-piston flat mount hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors. To combat the elements, the 12mm thru-axle front hub and headset both feature sealed cartridge bearings.
One nice touch on the build is a carbon fiber seatpost, which helps shave weight and reduce vibrations in the saddle. Priority gives the Apollo Flat Bar WTB’s highly popular Volt saddle.
As for the cockpit, that flat handlebar is 700mm wide with a 25mm rise and 8° backsweep. Stems are 80mm (small) or 90mm (all larger sizes) long, and have a 6° rise. The front end is finished off with comfortable ergonomic grips.
For commuting or adventure rides, the Apollo Flat Bar’s frame has the usual mounts for racks, fenders, cargo bags, etc. The top and down tubes both feature three-bolt mounts, plus the seat mast and underside of the down tube have water bottle mounts as well. Priority’s carbon fork also includes three mounting bolts on both legs.
Priority says the complete Apollo Flat Bar weighs roughly 24lbs. This bike doesn’t come with a kickstand, but the frame includes a kickstand mount.
Geometry:
Priority fully revised the Apollo Flat Bar’s frame geometry to offer a more comfortable, balanced riding position versus the sportier ride of their drop bar model. The bike is available in frame sizes S/M/L/XL, which should accommodate riders from 5’4” to 6’4”. Check out Priority’s website to see a full geometry chart.
The Apollo Flat Bar is available now, in the ‘Deep Space’ colorway pictured only. MSRP is $1799, and Priority can ship a bike anywhere in the continental USA within five days.
