Experimental, unconventional, bold: 3T is something of a punk in the bicycle industry. Once known for high-quality aluminium components such as the Superleggero handlebars, the Italian manufacturer has also been involved in the complete bike business for around ten years. The latest example of this innovative approach is the Strada Italia. A bike that cannot be pigeonholed in many respects. On the one hand, the boundaries between aerodynamically optimised competition racer and marathon bike suitable for gravel tracks are blurred. On the other hand, the frameset is not made to order in Asia, but is manufactured at the company headquarters near Bergamo.
3T Strada Italia: Impressive aero performance
Sounds exciting? We thought so too and tested the eccentric in the laboratory, wind tunnel and in practice. Compared to the well-known Strada from Far Eastern production, the carbon tubes are somewhat more aerodynamically shaped. However, this can only be recognised in nuances with the naked eye. At the front, the flat head tube fulfils the requirements of the Cycling World Federation, while the nose shape is also familiar from the Specialised Tarmac or Pinarello Dogma F. The seat tube, seat stays and seat post have grown at the rear. However, the subtle tuning hardly had any effect. With our reference wheelset (Zipp 404, year 2018), the Strada Italia requires three watts less for 45 km/h than the version manufactured in Asia, with the new model also benefiting from a narrow handlebar/stem combination and a mono chainring without a front derailleur.
More impressive is the aero performance in standard trim: with the 45 millimetre high carbon rims from our own company, the 3T achieves 208 watts and enters the phalanx of the fastest in the TOUR test, surrounded by illustrious competition. The difference in production technology compared to a Pinarello Dogma F (208 watts), Specialized Tarmac or Giant Propel (both 209 watts) is hidden under the poisonous green dress. The fork and frame are built using resin transfer moulding (RTM). The carbon tubes are woven dry and then impregnated with resin and baked in the mould. The process is not new; Time also manufactures bikes such as the ADHX in RTM. In contrast to the Asian method with prepregs, carbon mats soaked in resin, production is less complex and cheaper.
Open homework
Compared to the Strada model from Asian production, which is still on offer, the slightly lower torsional rigidity of the front of the Strada Italia is noticeable, which results in somewhat nervous steering behaviour. On straight roads, however, the Italo racer shows its strength, and thanks to the aerodynamically stretched seating position, the speed can be maintained almost effortlessly. On bumpy roads, however, you have to take your foot off the gas or need a good seat, as bumps are hardly smoothed out despite the thick tyres for a competition bike.
Reserves for more suspension comfort are provided by the large tyre clearance, which at an effective 35 millimetres is based on a marathon bike. However, wider tyres come at the expense of steering behaviour. 3T also points out that the voluminous wheels are optimised for 28 to 30 millimetre wide tyres. So if you're looking for a particularly light bike or one with pronounced lateral stiffness, the 3T Strada Italia is not the bike for you. On the other hand, the new model scores with other values such as top aerodynamics, European production and spectacular design. The crankset alone is a work of art in its own right and is reminiscent of the early days of carbon component manufacture at 3T.
The unusual design with the off-road and robust version of the Sram Red is also appealing and, thanks to the largest possible chainring from US specialist Wolf Tooth, is also sufficiently geared for faster descents. On the downside, the high development costs behind the "Made in Italy" project are reflected in the prices. All models cost five figures. According to 3T, the tested version differs slightly from the standard model. Instead of the poison green paintwork and chic full carbon cranks, the Italians offer a 12,000 euro version with a carbon fibre look and a power meter crank from Sram.
3T Strada Italia: Info & test grade
- Price: 12,000 euros
- Weight of complete wheel: 7.3 kilos
- Frame sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58 (test size greased)
- TOUR grade: 2,4
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 513/560/159 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 573/372 millimetres/1.54
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 624/565 millimetres/1.10
- Wheelbase/caster: 985/63 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Red XPLR AXS (1x13; 46, 10-46 t.) | Grade: 1.5
- Brakes: SRAM Red HRD (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR 30 mm (eff.: 32 mm) | Grade: 2.0
- Impellers: 3T Discus C45 LTD
- Impeller weights: 1235/1655 grams (front/rear)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 7320 grammes | Grade: 2.3
- Aerodynamics: 208 Watt | Grade: 1.7
- Driving stability: 6.56 N/mm | Grade: 2.7
- Rear comfort: 276 N/mm | Grade: 4.3
- Comfort front: 73 N/mm | Grade: 2.0
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 47 N/mm | Grade: 3.3
Advantages and disadvantages of the 3T Strada Italia
- Plus: Innovative concept, very good aerodynamics, top equipment
- Minus: Nervous steering behaviour, very hard
How TOUR tests
Julian Schultz
Editor
