3T Strada for Aqua Blue Sport - First professional team to dispense with second chainring

3T co-owner Gerard Vroomen is behind the development of the 3T Strada. The aero bike is designed for particularly wide tyres (up to 30 mm) and is equipped with the Sram Force groupset with just one chainring.

It's not just the bike that is unusual, but also the sponsorship concept: the UCI Professional Continental Team Aqua Blue also finances itself through the sale of bikes. The various 3T models are offered for sale on the team website. Part of the revenue then flows into the team. Sram currently only offers a 1x11-speed drivetrain, but according to insiders, the 1x12-speed drivetrain is already in the starting blocks.

Whether the bike with the Sram drivetrain really proves itself as a racing machine remains to be seen. Especially in races with steep mountains alternating with flat sections, the question of gear ratios is likely to take centre stage. Last year, Aqua-Blue rider Stefan Denifl achieved success at the Vuelta and the Tour of Austria. The bike is sure to attract attention at the races.