Decathlon gravel bike presented: Carbon and electric shifting on the Riverside GCR

Did you know that Decathlon's own bike brands such as Riverside and Van Rysel are all developed in Lille, France, more precisely in the BTWIN Village? This is where the design offices, test labs, workshops and more are located, providing the individual development teams with everything they need for their work. In January, Decathlon presented the latest models from this bike cosmos for 2023: These are a gravel bike and a road bike. Both bikes with racing handlebars are designed for ambitious cyclists and feature high-quality, renowned components, thanks to which Decathlon promises more fun, comfort and reliability on bike tours.

Decathlon gravel bike: made of carbon for the first time

With the Riverside GCR Decathlon presents its first gravel bike with a carbon frame. High torsional rigidity, low weight and riding comfort were important to the development team. This also includes an appealing design: Decathlon describes the Riverside gravel bike with its carbon fibre chassis as sleek and elegant.

1060 gram frame weight and designed for electric drivetrains

The development and design team have realised their vision of the perfect gravel bike in the Riverside GCR. In true Decathlon style, this also includes ensuring that the sporty bike is ultimately affordable (although this point should of course be seen in relative terms). The French sports discounter's motto is to share sport and make the experience possible for as many people as possible.

With carbon as the frame material, the Riverside GCR achieves a frame weight of 1060 grams in size M, according to the manufacturer. The frame is UCI-certified and designed for electronic groupsets. Only the brake cables are routed inside the frame. The fork is also made of carbon fibre. There are no mounting points on the fork for panniers. There is also no option to mount a (third) bottle cage on the down tube. Instead, the Riverside GCR is a simple gravel bike for sporty gravel rides and bikepacking tours where a standard Bikepacking set consisting of handlebar bag, seatpost bag, frame bag and top tube bag is sufficient.

Gearstick and brakes

Frame and fork at DecathlonGravelbike Riverside GCR The bikes are equipped with a Sram Rival XPLR AXS 12-speed drivetrain. Hydraulic disc brakes with organic pads complete the package and provide the necessary deceleration off-road.

Wheels, tyres and more

A bike is not a bike without wheels. This also applies to the Decathlon gravel bike. The Riverside GCR was fitted with a set of Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 aluminium wheels, tubeless ready and tough. The Riverside gravel bike is fitted with 40 mm wide Hutchinson Touareg tyres, a versatile tyre for gravel and asphalt. The frame and fork even offer space for gravel tyres up to 45 millimetres wide.

The Riverside GCR is also equipped with a Terra Argo saddle from Fizik and aluminium handlebars with a 16 degree flare. The stem and seatpost are also made of aluminium.

The Decathlon gravel bike Riverside GCR in detail

• Weight: approx. 9.0 kilos
• Permissible total weight: 110 kilos
• Drive: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 12-speed, chainring 38 teeth, cassette 10-44 teeth
• Price: 2799 euros, from 1 February 2999 euros >> available here
• Brakes: SRAM Rival hydraulic disc brakes, 160 mm brake discs
• Impellers: Fulcrum Rapid Red 900
• Tyres: Hutchinson Touareg tyres in 700×40 mm TLR
• Saddle: Fizik Argo Terra
• Sizes: S, M, L, XL