Propain Terrel CF Individual review: A comfortable gravel bike for rugged adventures

​Fully customisable down to the last detail

Spot on. We wanted to test gravel bikes costing up to 3,000 euros – and Propain fits the bill perfectly. Customers can use the configurator to build their own bikes to order from this Lake Constance-based online retailer, so prices are flexible. A side effect of this is that it gives the manufacturer some leeway when it comes to justifying their pricing in complete bike reviews. Are the tyres too wide? Then simply choose narrower ones. Prefer carbon handlebars? Just a mouse click away! Propain practically maxed out the price range right down to the last euro and fitted the Terrel with an electronic gear system that impressed us with its precision and smooth operation.

​Carbon frames with a distinctive look

Prices for the Terrel CF start at 2,799 euros and go up to over 7,000 euros for the top-of-the-range model. Propain sent us the bike in bright white with black decals for the test. Very smart! But here too, buyers can choose between four frame colours and a huge range of decal options. The design of the carbon frame, with its low-set seat stays and angular tubes, looks classy. What we like even more, though, is the spec: it’s consistently high-quality throughout and impressed us thoroughly in our test.

Staying true to his roots!

As we all know, Propain has deep roots in the world of MTB. So it’s hardly surprising that the Terrel – at least in this configuration – stands out as the mountain bike in the test line-up. Extra-wide handlebars, chunky 50mm tyres combined with the flattest head angle (70.5) and a generous wheelbase: these features make the Terrel particularly well-suited to off-road riding. You’ll happily veer off onto a rough, root-strewn trail or confidently choose your line through a field of boulders.

​Wide tyres, plenty of off-road safety

The Terrel offers the best riding stability and the highest level of comfort of all the bikes tested. Propain has really gone the extra mile with the handlebar width: the 440-millimetre-wide handlebars make you feel as though you’re taking the bull by the horns! The thick handlebar tape feels comfortable and reinforces this impression – so you glide effortlessly along gravel tracks and forest trails. The wide tyres are better suited to cruising than to sprints. However, they dampen annoying vibrations and handle the bike very confidently when leaning into bends. Weighing just over nine kilos, the Terrel still accelerates well.

Course: Adventure

On the Terrel, you sit in a slightly more upright position, but it’s still comfortable. This makes the bike ideal for overnight rides and long-distance touring – without your hands going numb or your wrists aching. Nature lovers will appreciate the quiet freewheel – you can glide through the countryside almost silently, without unnecessarily disturbing the peace. Our tip for anyone who can afford it: although the Newmen carbon wheels cost an extra 550 euros in the Propain configurator, they give the Terrel an extra dose of responsiveness. This makes a positive difference on long rides just as much as on a quick spin after work.

Conclusion by Laurin Lehner, BIKE test editor

The Propain is a real eye-catcher! And it’s a bike that makes you feel right at home straight away. It’s very comfortable – you’ll want to set off towards the horizon straight away. The unusual handlebars take a bit of getting used to, but once you do, you’ll love them.