The Avant has the option of fitting rim brakes on the fork and behind the bottom bracket. The geometry is consistently suitable for touring; only on the Trek Domane do you sit more upright. The long wheelbase guarantees good directional stability and increases tyre clearance. Theoretically, much wider tyres could be fitted than the smooth-rolling 25s from Challenge. The hydraulic Shimano brakes decelerate superbly. Lightweight wheels from the FSA subsidiary brand Vision allow the bike to accelerate better than the weight would suggest. The finish could be improved. The paintwork is not clean in several places.
CONCLUSION Disc racer suitable for touring; medium riding stability, well equipped except for add-on parts. Weaknesses in the finish
Reference/Info www.orbea.com
Weight 8.5 kilos
Frame/fork/steering bearing weight 1,295/528/75 grammes
Frame sizes 47, 49, 51, 53, 55), 57, 60 cm
Seat/steering angle 73,5°/72,5°
Seat/top tube/head tube 510/565/189 mm plus 15 mm headset cap
Wheelbase/caster 1,005/59 mm
Stack/Reach/STR 600/384 mm/1.56
Equipment
Steering bearing FSA, top 1-1/8, bottom 1.5 inch
Brakes Shimano BR-RS785 (160/160 mm)
Gearshift/bottom bracket Shimano Ultegra 6800 (50/34 t, Press-Fit BB86)
Wheels/tyres Vision Team 30 Disc/Challenge Forte 25C
Handlebar/stem FSA Gossamer Compact/FSA Gossamer
Saddle/post Prologo Kappa Evo/FSA SL-K (27.2 mm)
*The frame set accounts for 40 per cent and the equipment for 60 per cent of the overall grade. The grades are calculated with all decimal places up to the final grade; however, for the sake of clarity, all grades are given with rounded decimal places.
**Weighed weights.
***Manufacturer's specification, test size bold.
****Stack/Reach: projected vertical/horizontal measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube; STR (Stack to Reach): 1.36 means a very stretched, 1.60 an upright riding position.
