Unbound Gravel is simultaneously gravel cycling’s Super Bowl and its prom. It is the premier competition in the sport, and it is also the time of year when all the brands and athletes have their best gear, bikes, and kit tuned and ready to go.
This year, like most years, the professional field is filled with tons of new tech that is finally ready for the center stage. Some of these bikes have been ridden, leaked, and tested, but at Unbound, they are out in the open, with fresh paint and components, raring to race across the Flint Hills and Tallgrass Prairie of central Kansas.
We rounded up a few of the athletes who have been staples of the event over the years to dissect the new bike tech that has arrived on the scene this spring and is now ready to be raced over 200 rugged miles of gravel.
Sofia Gomez Villafañe, Specialized Crux 5
Sofia Gomez Villafañe’s new Specialized Crux 5. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Road one-piece bars for Villafañe rather than the more compliant Terra barstem. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)The cluster of tubes around the bottom bracket is a interesting place on the new Crux. The offset bottom bracket is personally one of my favorite touches. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Ample front clearance with the 50mm Pathfinders that Villafañe rides for many of her races. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)One of the most interesting spec choice on any bike we saw was the Shimano XTR pedals on Villafane’s bike, a long-time SRAM athlete. Sometimes pedals are a non-negotiable. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Villafañe is reliably on the SRAM mullet setup rather than an XPLR groupset. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)The new Specialized Power Evo is a bit of a change from the traditional Power shape with a longer, wider nose. Villafañe is a big fan. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)The new chopped aero profile of the new Roval Aero CLX. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Dylan Johnson, Felt Breed
The Felt Breed was unveiled last month, but Johnson raced the bike at Sea Otter.. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Yet, it was more than just the frame with Johnson. The bike also had the new ENVE GES 6.7 wheels and the Cane Creek Invert CS suspension fork. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)And of course, the champion of big tires is back once again with Continental Race Kings. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)On the front, Johnson has opted for a narrower 50mm Dubnital to help with the aerodynamics. The Cane Creek also has some limitations with tires over 50mm. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)A standard SRAM Red XPLR for Unbound this year. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Bottles, bottles, and more bottles to avoid wearing packs or carrying a bladder. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)The one aspect Johnson wasn’t sold on was the pedals. Like many gravel pros, Johnson much prefers road pedals, but with the threat of running through mud, the mountain bike option might be needed. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Danni Shrosbree, Argon 18 Anti Matter
Shrosbree rode this bike at Sea Otter, but at the time, it was matte black and yet to be released. Now it has a fresh set of paint and is out in the open! (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)The Anti Matter is a very built, sturdy, aero gravel bike. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)The rear triangle in particular stands out with a unique design language and seat stays. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)The other design that catches the eye was the extra-deep head tube that underscores the aero goals of the bike. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)And, of course, an hour glass head tube with enough clearance to run Schwalbe Thunder Burts. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Shrosbree was on the large side of chain rings for women. Most are running a 46t. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)While she is not a Specialized ride, Shrosbree knows enough people to get the new shape of the Power EVO which she has enjoyed riding this spring. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Enve wheels, but not the biggest ones for Shrosbree, who is running the GES 4.5, not the 6.7. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)The bike can fit the 2.2 Thunder Burts, but it is still up for consideration if she will keep those, or pivot to a narrower option. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Russell Finsterwald, Look Cezal
The Look G85 Cezal was unveiled at Sea Otter earlier this year, but Finsterwald has been putting the bike through its paces this whole year. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Extra mud clearance for “Finsty” with weather rolling into Emporia at the end of the week. He had Continental Terra Competition in 45mm on the rims on Wednesday. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)48t chain rings are pretty consistent among the men, but there have been a few 50t options around. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)It’s all XTR on the rear for Shimano athletes at Unbound this year. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Dura-Ace does the shifting and the stopping. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Top tube bags are also the rage. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)Bottle cages are no small thing at a rough race like Unbound Gravel, and Finsterwald trusts his sponsor Silca, who have titanium cages that dot the pro field. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
