Fara F/Gravel test: Adventure gravel bike with innovative bikepacking bags

Fara is a small, young bicycle brand from Oslo that was founded in May 2016. The name comes from the old Norwegian and means something like "travelling" or "daring". This is reflected in the gravel bikes and racing bikes from the Norwegian direct mail order company. The former world-class sprinter Thor Hushovd has been riding Fara bikes for several years.

"Designed to take you to the most incredible places" is the description of the bikepacking bike. Introduced with the model designation F/GR, the Fara gravel bike is now simply called F/Gravel. Its siblings F/Road and F/All-Road also have their area of application in their names.

Introducing the Fara F/Gravel

A unique selling point of the Fara F/Gravel are the special bikepacking bags that can be purchased to match the bike. Magnetic holders are attached to individual but well-hidden screw-on points on the frame, to which the Fara bikepacking bags can be magnetically attached. Further down to find out more about the unique bikepacking bags on this gravel bike.

Special features and details of the Fara F/Gravel:

• Integratable bikepacking bags
• Storage space in the down tube
• Tyre clearance up to 50 millimetres
• Carbon frame in four frame sizes
• Individually configurable equipment

The geometry of the Fara F/Gravel

Available in four different frame sizes, the Fara gravel bike is designed to fit people from 1.60 metres to just under 2.0 metres tall. The manufacturer's specifications can provide a good orientation, a Bikefitting also provides information before you buy a bike more precise information.

As is typical for gravel bikes, the wheelbase of the F/Gravel is comparatively long. This promises smooth riding behaviour. The stack-to-reach ratio is between 1.4 and 1.5 and the seating position is more stretched in smaller frame sizes than in larger ones. The Fork offset (fork travel) is adjusted by Fara depending on the frame size so that you don't brush your toes against the front tyre when turning. The stack and reach of the F/Gravel grow very linearly across the four frame sizes. Overall, the riding position on the carbon gravel bike is a little stretched rather than upright and comfortable.

Storage space in the down tube

There is additional storage space in the down tube of the F/Gravel. Here you can stow a bag with tools, a spare inner tube or a windbreaker inside the carbon frame. The locking mechanism of the plastic lid was not tight enough on our test bike, so that the flap fell off on rough descents. However, Fara has now further developed the locking mechanism of the Stash Hatch, as the down tube storage compartment is called, and made it more robust.

Our Fara F/Gravel test bike was configured like this

If you want to buy an F/Gravel, you can configure many details with the direct mail order company from Norway: from the groupset and stem length to the handlebars and saddle. In the last step, the Fara configurator asks for accessories, here the bikepacking bags integrated into the design can be added (saddle bag, frame bag and handlebar roll). Topeak Versacages can also be selected for the fork. Matching mudguards and bottle cages can also be added.
The test bike arrived at the TOUR editorial office with the following components and specifications - including saddle bag, handlebar roll and frame bag:

• Frame size: S (49 cm)
• Stem length: 90 millimetres
• Colour: Winter Sky (dark blue)
• Impellers: Fulcrum Rapid Red Carbon 700c
• Switching group: SRAM Force AXS XPLR 1x12 42, 10-44
• Handlebars: Ritchey Venturemax WCS Carbon 40 cm
• Saddle: Fizik Terra Argo X3, 150 mm
• Tyres: Panaracer Gravelking 43 millimetres

The bikepacking bags from Fara x Roswheel

What is important for a bikepacking tour besides the bike? That's right: suitable bags. And that's exactly what the bikepacking gravel bike from Fara Cycling was designed with. "It doesn't really make sense not to design the bags at the same time," says Jeff Webb, CEO of Fara Cycling. The bags are seamlessly integrated and can be removed quickly. During the development process, it was important to the designers that the gravel bike looks good both with and without bags. After all, the bike should not only be used for bikepacking, but also for day tours and after-work rides without additional luggage. And so Fara teamed up with the bicycle and bikepacking bag manufacturer Roswheel to develop the panniers. An Austrian designer who lives in Oslo was also involved in the development process. In the end, Fidlock magnetic fasteners were chosen to attach the bags to the F/Gravel frame. To mount the frame bag, grub screws have to be removed from the frame and suitable Fidlock screws inserted. This allows the frame bag to be clicked in and out in seconds. Such grub screws can also be found on the carbon fork.

The Fara bag range consists of three bags with reflective elements. The handlebar bag and saddle bag are waterproof, the frame bag is water-repellent. All three bags are equipped with large reflective elements and ensure visibility.

• Handlebar bag, 10.5 litres, waterproof
• Frame bagwater-repellent and
• Saddlebag, 15 litres, waterproof

The size of the frame bag varies depending on the frame size. By the way: with the appropriate adapters and straps, the bags can also be used on any other road or gravel bike - provided there is enough space.

Practical test of the Fara F/Gravel

We've covered around 2000 kilometres on our gravel bikes - commuting, on trail rides after work, on a winter bikepacking tour and in a cyclocross race.

First test impression of the gravel bike

"Can I keep it?" asked a colleague from the editorial team after he had completed his first tour on the gravel bike from Fara Cycling. Another colleague was amazed at how well he fitted on the size S bike at 1.79 metres. Frame size M would have been a better choice for him. I myself remember my first ride well, when the settings weren't quite right. With a few tweaks here and a few adjustments there, I felt very comfortable on the gravel bike; a shorter stem would have been ideal for my 1.60 metre height.

At first, the Fara F/Gravel rolled a little sluggishly. Without further ado, a different set of tyres (Schwalbe G-One RS45 millimetre wide) to check whether they would change the ride feel. Lo and behold: the rides were faster with the same perceived effort, and the riding feel was more lively. What's more, the grip in wet conditions was significantly better.

Riding experience on the gravel bike

The bike rides well in a straight line, both with and without luggage. At the destination of the winter bikepacking tour - more on this below - we also tested the bike at racing speed and with a race number on the handlebars, as a cyclocross race was on the programme. It turned out that the Fara Graveler is also agile on twisty cross courses and can be manoeuvred well around trees and roots on winding trails.

Bikepacking with the Fara F/Gravel

The actual plan was to subject the bikepacking gravel bike from Fara Cycling to an endurance test at Badlands 2022. Customs saw things differently and the bike didn't arrive on time. On the first day of this bikepacking race in southern Spain, I saw a man on an F/Gravel and wearing Fara clothing: it was Jeff Webb, the CEO of Fara Cycling. There is a photo of this encounter:

Jeff Webb, CEO of Fara-Cycling about bikepacking:

Why I like bikepacking - you have anything you need with you - Why do I like bikepacking? Because you have everything you need with you.

But now back to the topic: bikepacking with the F/Gravel. Instead of a 780-kilometre tour through Spanish deserts, the end-of-year holiday was used for a winter bikepacking tour. The route led from Munich to Salzburg, then to Carinthia in Austria and on to Italy. There it was a constant up and down through vineyards to Lake Garda and finally to a cyclocross race 50 kilometres south of Lake Garda. Almost 950 kilometres with 7400 metres of altitude and lots of luggage and equipment to sleep outside included.

Fully loaded, the bike weighed around 24 kilos. The acceleration was correspondingly sluggish. We also had to get used to the extra weight on the downhills, the additional weight was noticeable and the SRAM disc brakes had to be really tight when decelerating. Even though we had to apply the brakes more to reduce speed, the Fara gravel bike always gave us a secure feeling, even with a load of luggage. Even on muddy paths or bumpy root passages.

How the bikepacking bags from Fara perform in practice

Winter sleeping bag, sleeping mat and clothes already take up a lot of space. Depending on how much luggage you want to carry, the space provided by the three bags is completely sufficient. This was not enough for our tour, so we added fork bags and a top tube bag, all from Ortlieb. It's a good thing that the bike has the necessary attachment points.

Roughly speaking, the three bikepacking bags from Fara are similar to the bags from other manufacturers. Only the attachment to the bike works slightly differently, as described above. We recommend using Loctite to prevent the magnets, which are screwed into the frame, from coming loose.

The saddlebag

Like conventional bags, two straps are threaded through the saddle rails. The third attachment point is not a Velcro strap, but a Fidlock magnet. The Fara saddle bag system worked straight away.

In my case, with a seat height of 66.5 centimetres (centre of bottom bracket to upper edge of seat area), the seat post extension was quite tight to leave enough space for the bag. If anything, there was 1.5 centimetres between the tyre and the bag. When touring in the mud, it quickly starts to drag - as the picture with snow below shows.

The big advantage of this bag is that the magnet prevents it from sliding down. Even on very uneven surfaces, the bag never touched the tyre. I have experienced this differently with other bags. Another advantage is that the bag keeps its shape even when the top is not well packed - that is, when there is air in it.

On the winter bikepacking tour, the straps that stabilise the bag came loose on two days. This became noticeable when the bag started to swing. Once it was lashed down again, it held firmly. The bag also sat well on the other days. Swinging was not noticeable, neither for the rider nor when looking at it. Just as the manufacturer promises: a saddlebag design that eliminates the swinging back and forth of the bag. However, the prerequisite is that all straps are firmly tightened.

• Conclusion on the Fara saddle bag: A solid bag that fits well and hardly swings back and forth. Loops for a rear light are missing, the elasticated strap of a lamp (for example Sigma Sport Blaze) can be placed around the fastening straps.
• Price: 169 Euro

The frame bag

Once the magnets have been screwed to the frame and secured with Loctite, the water-repellent Fara frame bag can be mounted in seconds. There is a pocket on the left-hand side for small items such as a smartphone or bank card. The main compartment can be accessed via a two-way zip. The advantage of this is that the bag can be opened as required. If the tool is at the back of the seat tube, the bag can be opened from the back to the front. Or do you just need a snack from the front pocket area? This eliminates the need to rummage around in the frame bag - as long as you know where everything is in the bag. The zip also has a disadvantage. We kept bumping into the zip with the inside of our thigh.

• Conclusion on the Fara frame bag: Fits perfectly and protects the paintwork thanks to the magnetic fastening. We didn't always find the two-way zip on the left-hand side comfortable.
• Price: 99 Euro

The handlebar bag

I'm not a fan of handlebar bags. It's difficult to get at them and with my frame size and handlebar width, I often have the problem that only a little fits in anyway and the bag quickly drags on the front tyre. So I put things in here that I don't need during the day, like my sleeping bag.

The Fara handlebar bag is attached to the handlebars with two straps and Fidlock fasteners. A Velcro strap is placed around the head tube. There is a magnet on the strap into which the counterpart on the bag is clicked. The bag is also quick and easy to fit. Reflective elements ensure visibility

• Conclusion on the Fara handlebar bag: Not quite such a smart solution, as a strap is placed around the head tube, which carries the counterpart to the Fidlock buckle on the bag. For the most part, this held well; the magnet opened twice. A solid handlebar roller.
• Price: 149 Euro

What's missing? A top tube bag.

Unfortunately, Fara's range of bags does not include a top tube bag. That's why we have come up with the new Ortlieb Fuel Pack helped out.

The Fara F/Gravel is an all-rounder for bikepacking and rough terrain

The F/Gravel is a good-natured carbon gravel bike with plenty of tyre clearance and mounting points for additional luggage. The all-round bike for bikepacking adventures rolls reliably in a straight line, but is also agile enough to have fun on narrow trails.

Fara Cycling - Who is that actually?

Fara founder Jeff Webb had already worked in the bicycle industry before breathing life into his own adventure bike company. His goal was to do something different. As avid cyclists and bikepackers, he and his team knew exactly what they wanted from a bike. From this point, they went backwards towards their dream bike. And so the dream became reality: they developed their own innovative products.

The name Fara comes from the old Norwegian and means something like travelling, which on the one hand reflects the purpose for which the racing bikes and gravel bikes are developed, and on the other hand the Norwegian flair of the brand. "The brand is very Norwegian and that is very important to us, we want to preserve this heritage," says Webb.

The Fara brand was founded back in 2015. The first bikes were produced in 2016 and the brand was presented to the public. Webb refers to the year as the "introduction year". What started as a kind of hobby lasted 3-4 years, after which the founders of Fara were able to work full-time in their own company. Since 2020, more bikes have been sold and the team has grown to around 15 people.

Jeff Webb, CEO of Fara-Cycling about bikepacking:

Why do I like bikepacking? Because you have everything you need with you.

More bikes from Fara Cycling

In addition to the F/Gravel, the Fara range includes the following bikes:

• F/Road: Racing bike
• F/Allroad: Allroad bike with 35 millimetre tyre clearance

Jeff Webbs' personal favourite Fara bike is the F/All-Road. Why? Despite the 35 millimetre wide tyres, it feels like a road bike, but it offers the option of riding anywhere.