Whether a gravel bike really needs a suspension fork, dropper post and a whole host of special detail solutions is a hotly debated topic in our editorial team. One thing is certain: The Terrel CF Trail combines all these features in one attractive deal. A unique selling point of the direct mail order company is the extensive online configurator. Here, customers can not only customise the look of their Terrel, but also adapt the equipment package to the intended use. Propain was founded on a downhill full suspension bike - so the option of a suspension fork on a gravel bike is a must. Depending on where you tick the boxes, the frame can also be ordered as a racer or bikepacking vehicle with a "boot" integrated into the carbon, mudguard and front derailleur mounts. Our test set-up deserves a compliment even before the first ride: both the wide-range gears and the dropper post are controlled wirelessly via radio. This is exactly how the elegant integration of mountain bike components works!
One size smaller
"The Terrel runs big. Better take a size smaller!", our contact at Propain had advised. In fact, the seat tube length is only surpassed by competitor Canyon. The reach is also in the upper midfield and, together with a 100 millimetre stem, stretches the rider far over the bike. To improve the steering behaviour, we recommend choosing a shorter model in the configurator. Thanks to the equally generous stack value, the geometry results in a tall but comfortable riding position. Gravel bikers will find a comfortable place here for many kilometres.
Thanks to its easy climbing gear and grippy tyres, the Terrel is a tip for tours in the Alps. However, at over eleven kilograms ready to ride, it takes a little longer to reach the summit; on paved trails, the Propain falls well behind the Alutech and Pivot sports bikes. Despite the low price, the head tube is fitted with an expensive Rockshox Rudy XPLR Ultimate. In contrast to its cheaper sisters in Giant and Santa Cruz, the high-end gravel suspension fork has a lockable compression damping. This minimises bobbing when pedalling, but does not switch it off completely. You have to take one hand off the handlebars to adjust the fork crown - a disadvantage in hectic situations compared to the Canyon with handlebar remote.
Equipment pays off
If larger stones and roots are scattered on the ground, the additional equipment on the Propain definitely pays off. Despite the high air pressure, the suspension fork with its high-quality damping unit gets a lot out of the 40 millimetres of travel and impresses on edges with its controlled progression. In combination with the lowerable seat post, this significantly improves the riding characteristics on forest trails compared to the unsprung counterparts. The radio telescopic seatpost has another advantage up its sleeve: if it is lowered only minimally, it yields slightly in favour of riding comfort. However, as this is only the case in the infinitely adjustable intermediate position, this requires a compromise in the seat height. In practice, the feature was rarely useful. In addition, the support showed play in all directions after just a few kilometres.
Propain Terrel CF Trail: price, geometry, equipment, measured values, advantages and disadvantages
- Price: 3644 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 10.7 kilos
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Geometry
- STR/STR+: 1,56/1,18
- Stack+/Reach+: 709/600 mm
Equipment
- Fork: Rockshox Rudy XPLR Ultimate
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Apex / GX Eagle Transmission AXS (1x12; 40, 10-52)
- Brakes: SRAM Apex (160/160 mm)
- Tyres: Continental Terra Trail TR 45 mm (eff.: 43 mm)
- Impellers: DT Swiss G 1800
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 10.710 g
- Weight of wheels: 3974 g
- Impeller inertia: 2662 kg x cm²
Propain Terrel CF TrailAdvantages and disadvantages
Advantages
Successful integration of MTB components, high off-road reserves, online configurator, value for money
Disadvantages
leisurely pace due to high weight; indirect steering behaviour
Jan Timmermann
Editor
