Why Cycles once again updates their long-running titanium R+ gravel bike, now in a 4th generation with extra big tire clearances, more comfort, improved serviceability, and a new carbon fork. There’s even a new bigger size option to better fit tall riders. Pricing unsurprisingly goes up a bit, but it looks like there are now more build options for personalization, too…
Why Cycles R+ titanium gravel bike
Since its first-generation back in 2016, the Why Cycles R+ has been a versatile all-road bike, as in… ride all roads… from asphalt to dirt to gravel. It always had big tire clearances for its time, but never stopped evolving since we tested v2 and shared its more adventure-ready v3.
But now the fourth generation R+ takes it one more step further with even bigger tire clearances again, plus more comfort.
What’s new?
Why Cycles tells us the key update to the new R+ v4 is room for bigger 700c x 50mm tires, while the same 650b x 2.1” clearance carries on still from the original. While some of that comes down to revised rear end shaping, the new R+ v4 also gets a new carbon fork – the same one their sister brand Revel just debuted on their full carbon Rover gravel bike.
The updated Why Cycles R+ also gets more comfy thanks to a shift to a 27.2mm round post vs, the 31.6mm original which was there mostly for dropper post compatibility. Why decided to prioritize the noticeably smoother ride of the smaller post, especially since most riders stick with a riding post, and more good 27.2 droppers are available these days, anyway.
The new bike also gets a new chainstay-mounted flat mount rear brake for easier, more straightforward bike builds and adjustment. Plus, it also moves to the easily-replaced SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) standard.
Geometry
The well-proven lower mountain bike-inspired geometry hasn’t changed in this latest generation. But the new R+ adds a larger fifth stock size (now S-XXL) to fit taller riders.
Tech details
The R+ sticks with a BSA threaded bottom bracket, flat mount disc brakes, 12mm thru-axles, an integrated headset in the tapered headtube for the 1.5″ tapered steerer fork, a round 27.2 seatpost with conventional external clamp, mixed internal cable routing including for a dropper post, and a UDH rear derailleur.
It features bottle cage mounts on the seattube, under the downtube, under the back of the toptube, and a 3-pack set on the downtube. There’s also a lone mount under the front of the toptube, and the frame has full rear rack and fender mounts. The fork does not have cage or fender mounts.
Why Cycles R+ v4 – Pricing, options & availability
The new gen-4 Why Cycles R+ gravel bike is in stock and available now as a frameset with the full carbon Revel Gravel fork for $3349, or in a number of complete bike builds.
Complete bikes start at $5300 with a SRAM Rival 1×11 mechanical group (coming soon), or $6300 with GRX 1×11 mechanical, or $9300 with wireless SRAM Red AXS Xplr 1×12 electronic.
Check out the full build details at:
