The new Ventum GS1 (which we noticed at the 2025 Sea Otter Classic) is finally ready to hit the gravel. Our speculations didn’t fall far from the actual offerings. However, after seeing all the information, a few surprises emerged.
Now in its third generation, the new GS1 Ventum looks leaner, meaner, and purpose-built for the demands of modern gravel racing.
Lighter, Stiffer, Faster
Let’s talk numbers—because Ventum brought receipts. The updated GS1 frame is 150g lighter than the outgoing version, thanks to a new high-modulus carbon layup and tube shaping. The top tube and dropped seat stay shapes are notably thinner. But weight savings didn’t come at the expense of ride quality. Ventum claims frame stiffness is up where it counts: 12% stiffer at the head tube, 8% stiffer at the bottom bracket, and 8% more vertically compliant out back – we’re guessing from those thinner stays.
Bigger Tire Clearance, Snappy Geo
The new GS1 is aligning with others in the gravel space. The updated design offers a wider clearance of 700c x 56mm (2.2″) tire up front and a 700c x 50mm (2.0″) in the rear—that’s MTB rubber territory, right where the trend is. However, instead of slackening the front end or stretching the chainstays as many do, Ventum adhered to their 420mm rear center and signature Ventum Race Geometry, maintaining a tight, fast, and responsive feel. We’re thrilled to hear that, as we thoroughly enjoyed our time on the last iteration of the GS1.
They pulled this off with deep-drop seatstays that open the door for meaty tires without dulling the bike’s agility. It’s a sleek piece of engineering that preserves the race DNA while enhancing capability in rough terrain.
All-New Aero Front End
Borrowing inspiration from their Tempus TT bike, the GS1’s front end is designed to slice through the wind. The new hourglass-shaped head tube tapers into a revised fork with airfoil shaping, improving airflow across the frame and rider. It’s subtle but effective—and yeah, aero does matter when you’re hammering across the flats or fighting a crosswind solo.
The new carbon fork also gets a bump in clearance, now capable of clearing a true 2.25″ (57mm) tire while staying stiffer and lighter than the previous design. That’s a win on both the control and weight fronts.
1x Optimized, 2x Capable
The GS1 is optimized for 1x drivetrains, which helps keep the rear triangle tight and the chainstay length race-ready. But if you’re a 2x holdout, good news—Ventum says the frame will still accommodate a front derailleur and traditional gearing setups. That flexibility makes it a solid choice for riders who want to combine racing with bike-packing or ultra-distance efforts.
Cockpit & Routing
Clean lines continue with entirely internal cable routing, including through the headset, giving the front end a smooth, wind-cheating aesthetic. The flat-mount disc brakes and 12mm thru-axles, front and rear, bring modern standards and compatibility, while the T47 bottom bracket keeps things creak-free and stiff under load. Expect the GS1 to play nicely with electronic drivetrains, dropper posts, and wide-range gearing.
Ventum GS1 Geometry
Pricing and Availability – Ventum GS1
The current offerings are SRAM RED XPLR and Shimano GRX 12-speed. These models are available now, but rumors suggest additional options will be introduced mid-summer.
We’re lining up a full review soon—stay tuned to see how it holds up when the gravel gets rowdy.
