Markus Storck is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025 and has taken this as an opportunity to launch a series of exclusively designed and equipped special models. This also includes a version of the still fresh gravel bike Grix.3, which was presented just a few weeks ago and the "30th" edition, which we were able to test, was launched shortly afterwards. Its distinctive feature is an eye-catching deep blue paint finish with a glitter effect. Despite its young age, the Grix already has an eventful history: the off-road racer first presented in 2019 is already undergoing its second update. Strictly speaking, however, the Grix.3 is not a completely new development, but primarily an adaptation of the tried-and-tested Grix.2 to modern developments. The frame now has a UDH-compatible dropout that can also accommodate the 1x13 gravel drivetrains from SRAM. The bike also features a newly developed handlebar/stem unit; the significantly flared handlebar arches follow another current trend in gravel bikes. The fork is also new and more filigree than on the previous model. Apart from that, the changes to the frame are subtle; it retains its characteristic basic shape with the striking kink on the head tube.
More road & gravel bike innovations 2026 in the test
The geometry and handling of the Grix.2 have also remained the same, standing out from the mass of gravel bikes currently available. Storck has always been a representative of sporty bikes, and the Grix.3 is no exception. The riding position is compact and race-like with a lot of saddle elevation, the steering behaviour is extremely direct and the overall concept is almost reminiscent of a typical competition crosser. The bike never feels nervous, even on flat sections it always remains controllable and keeps up a good pace. One small drawback of the geometry is the limited foot clearance: when manoeuvring at low speeds, your foot can sometimes touch the front tyre if the cranks are horizontal. The lively riding impression is emphasised by the great equipment. The special model tested has the SRAM Force XPLR with 13 gears, which fits in well with the sporty character of the bike.
Travel racer
The very light wheels make an even bigger impression. The in-house Zeitjaeger Platinum with carbon spokes, familiar from the road bikes, have been given a wider, gravel-compatible rim and give the bike enormous agility when pedalling. The overall weight is also impressive: at just 7.4 kilograms, the Grix.3 is one of the lightest gravel bikes we know, only undercut in our tests by the sinfully expensive Specialized S-Works Crux. Off-road, this results in an agile, light-footed riding experience; with a lighter groupset - the configurator also offers the SRAM Red AXS in addition to the Force - the seven-kilo mark would even be within reach. That sounds like a race bike par excellence, but the Grix wants to be more than just a purist sports bike. The frameset does not dispense with the threaded eyelets for panniers on the top tube and fork that are typical of adventure gravel bikes. Even pannier racks and mudguards can be fitted, and there are additional eyelets for a tool box under the down tube. The handlebar unit has been designed in such a way that there is plenty of space for a wide handlebar bag. The frame is also designed for smaller 650B wheels with up to 54 millimetre wide MTB tyres, and the handlebar unit can be swapped for a classic stem, changing the riding position so that you sit a little more upright in the saddle.
The Grix.3 is not a bargain, at least in the basic configuration with Shimano's mechanical GRX 1x12 drivetrain and simple DT Swiss aluminium wheels: € 4899 seems rather expensive for the entry-level model. The price-performance ratio improves the higher up the component shelf you go. With the exclusive SRAM Red AXS and Zeitjaeger Platinum wheels, the price is € 7999, which can be considered good value in the market environment. The configurator offers a wide selection of groupsets from Shimano and SRAM as well as wheels. The Classified gear hub can also be specified. Storck has announced that it will expand the configurator to include additional components such as tyres and saddles as well as options for handlebar dimensions. However, customisation should also be possible by telephone or in one of the five Storck stores. Anyone who finds their desired configuration online and clicks on the order button should take a close look at the geometry tables, as the range of sizes is unusual: the second smallest of five sizes fitted the 1.80 metre tall test riders perfectly.
Storck Grix.3 30th Edition: test grade, price, geometry, equipment, measured values, advantages and disadvantages
- Price: 6799 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 7.4 kilos
- Frame sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
- TOUR grade: 1,8
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 490/550/125 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 556/375 millimetres/1.48
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 608/536 millimetres/1.13
- Wheelbase/caster: 1015/68 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Force AXS (1x13, 40, 10-36 t.) | Note: 1,5
- Brakes: SRAM Force AXS (160/160 millimetres) | Note: 1,0
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Allround 40 millimetres | Note: 1,5
- Impellers: Zeitjaeger Platinum 45 G
- Impeller weights: 1305/1711 grams (v./h.)
Measured values
- Weight of complete wheel: 7380 grammes | Note: 1,0
- Driving stability: 7.85 N/mm | Note: 2,0
- Rear comfort: 120 N/mm | Note: 2,0
- Comfort front: 101 N/mm | Note: 3,0
- Ride/ bottom bracket stiffness: 48 N/mm | Note: 3,0
Storck Grix.3 30th Edition: pros and cons
Advantages
very light, universally applicable for competitions and tours
Disadvantages
little foot clearance to the front wheel
How TOUR tests
Jens Klötzer
Editor
