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For some years now, the French sporting goods giant has also been stepping on the gas in the racing bike market, which is not only evident in its sponsorship of the AG2R professional team. The industry now also has to take the discounter seriously when it comes to the bikes available in specialist stores. In addition to unrivalled low prices, the French now sometimes offer really good quality, as recent tests of the bikes in TOUR show. At first glance, the GRVL 900 is a sensation: a gravel bike with a titanium frame and branded components that, at 2999 euros, costs as much as the cheapest framesets in this comparison. On closer inspection, the expert is even more astonished, as the frame is made from renowned Italian Dedacciai tubes and, if the seat tube sticker is to be believed, is even welded in Italy.
Triban GRVL 900: Good material, moderately processed
However, the cost-cutting measures become apparent during processing. Unevenly scaled weld seams at tube joints and drawbar outlets or burrs in places are evidence of the fact that production had to be fast, and there was obviously hardly any finishing work. Although the frame is straight and stable, it is not particularly well built - and it is also quite heavy: at almost two kilograms, it takes second last place in the weight ranking after the Chirp Chirp. The complete bike clearly breaks the ten-kilo mark with functional but not particularly light components from the lower middle class.
The Triban doesn't really suit a sporty pace anyway, as the riding position is extremely upright, even if you turn the standard upwards-mounted stem. The alignment and components are suitable for occasional tours and excursions, the bike rides stoically in a straight line and can hardly be rattled, high stiffness values provide a secure riding experience even at higher speeds. The relatively good comfort on the saddle deserves praise, the other bikes are noticeably harder.
Large gear jumps
The equipment also works properly and without complaint, but there are still complaints about the details: the eleven-speed gearbox has large gear jumps, the cheap brake discs are noticeably less powerful than the Shimano GRX brakes, and the Hutchinson tyres are less supple than the high-quality tyres on the other bikes. The very slippery own-brand saddle and the slippery handlebar tape are also worth replacing. However, all this can hardly detract from the price sensation - if you ignore the fact that comparably good aluminium frames are still cheaper and lighter.
Triban GRVL 900 - Info & test grade
- TOUR grade: 2,7
- Price: 2999 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel: 10.4 kilos
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL (test size greased)
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 525/575/176 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 611/388 millimetres/1.57
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 685/546 millimetres/1.20
- Wheelbase/caster: 1040/74 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Miranda/Shimano GRX 600/812 (1x11; 40, 11-42 t.) | Grade: 3.0
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 400/600 (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.5
- Tyres: Hutchinson Touareg 40 mm (eff.: 41 mm) | Grade: 3.0
- Impellers: Fulcrum Rapid Red 900
- Impeller weights: 1772/2391 grams (front/rear)
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Extremely favourable, lifetime guarantee
- Minus: heavy, moderately processed, only one equipment option, components with detail weaknesses
Jens Klötzer
Editor
