Zara Athleticz (yep, that Zara) is inching further and further into the cycling world. After releasing limited-edition gear with Fizik in 2022 and a dedicated cycling line in 2023, Zara Athleticz is entering a new phase: bike collaboration.
In a new partnership with Ángel Cycle Works (AWC) of Spain, the collaboration produced 50 limited edition bikes dubbed “The Gravel Project”. The result is a limited run of gravel bikes that marries Zara’s clean, modern athletic aesthetic with Ángel Cycle Works’ boutique, handcrafted carbon know-how. It’s a very interesting partnership, and might attract some new eyes to the gravel world.
Fashion Meets Framebuilding
At first glance, Zara Athleticz and Ángel Cycle Works seem like an odd pairing. A global fashion powerhouse on one side, and on the other, an artisan bike builder tucked away in northern Spain. But dig deeper, and the collaboration makes sense.
Both brands are very purposeful in design, durability, and the idea that great products don’t need to shout to be special. The images above are from Zara Athleticz’s newest cycling kit lookbook. If you’re cruising the site, however, you have to take the Zoolander “blue steel” look with a grain of salt. The prices (and the designs) aren’t bad; $69.00 for a jersey and $150.00 for a set of bibs with pockets. Though both seem to have an affinity for brown, especially Zara Athleticz.
The Gravel Project
The bike is a great-looking, all-purpose Ángel Cycle Works gravel bike design. The tubes are round-ish, giving the bike a modern yet classic look. Under the paint and production polish, The Gravel Project is a high-performance gravel machine.
The Ángel Cycle Works Gravel Project is built around a handcrafted Toray T800 carbon frameset. The frameset is designed and manufactured in Spain with ACW’s proprietary molding and layup processes.
The frame is modern gravel: T47 bottom bracket, fully internal cable routing, and clearance for up to 700×50c rubber. Up front, an ACW GR carbon fork matches the frame’s aesthetic, while a full suite of ACW carbon components (bar/stem combo, seatpost, and seat clamp with mudguard attachment) brings the build together.
The AWC Gravel Project comes spec’d with a SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1×13 drivetrain and ZIPP 303 S XPLR wheels. Plus: three bottle mounts and 1×/2× compatibility for those looking to make this gravel bike an all-road option.
The only thing lacking is sizing. The Gravel Project bike arrives in 49, 52, 54, and 56 cm – nothing larger. If you’re a rider over 6ft, you might be out of luck.
Everything is hand-assembled at ACW’s workshop in Oleiros, so each bike bears the maker’s mark in the truest sense. These are small-batch carbon carbon frames, with the fingerprints (figuratively) of the people who built them. It’s encouraging to see a global brand like Zara partner with a boutique maker like AWC.
Limited to 50 Bikes — For Real
You’ve heard “limited edition” before, but The Gravel Project actually means it: only 50 units total, globally. That’s it.
By capping production, ACW maintains meticulous quality control and ensures each build remains exclusive. Pretty cool for sure. I’m guessing this is the kind of bike you’ll likely never see twice in the wild.
Pre-orders are open worldwide, shipping is global, and anyone local (or adventurous) can pick up their bike directly from the workshop in A Coruña.
The Gravel Project Full Specs
Frame: Toray T800 carbon (ACW-designed) with 12×142 thru-axle, flat-mount disc brakes, T47 bottom bracket, internal cable routing
Fork: ACW GR carbon, 12×100 thru-axle, flat-mount disc mount, internal routing
Seatpost: ACW carbon 27.2 × 350 mm
Groupset: SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1×13
Crankset options: 165 / 170 / 172.5 mm crank lengths
Chainring: 42T standard — max supported: 1×46T or 2×50-34T
Compatibility: 1× and 2× drivetrains, electronic and mechanical
Wheels: ZIPP 303 S XPLR — 700c
Tires: Ship-spec with Hutchinson Tuareg TBS 700×45c;
Brakes: Flat-mount disc brakes (Front: 150/180 mm, Rear: 140/160 mm)
Bottle mounts: 3 total
Saddle: Selle Italia Novus Evo Boost
Handlebar: ACW GR carbon with integrated routing (bar/stem options: Bar 380/400/420 mm / Stem 80–110 mm)
Seat clamp: ACW alloy 31.8 mm w/ mud protector
Sizes: 49 / 52 / 54 / 56 cm
