New Exploro RaceMax

The spirit of Grav-lo-cross. No but seriously, cyclocross and gravel go here!

Moderator: Moderator Team

Post Reply
Relientk1202
Posts: 58
Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2010 3:30 pm

by Relientk1202

scuddyflypaper wrote:Bit of a hatchet job in the article ...
I've recently moved away from a trek emonda slr8 on 28mm slick rubber and I'm riding the 3T with 36mm Schwalbe G1 Allround on the road as well as off at the moment 45/40 3T wheels weighing best part of 1700g

Road speed is down maybe 2 or 3kph which on such lightly knobby tyres is pretty darn impressive. On gravel it definitely feels quick and I'm in the process of sourcing a 2nd pair of wheels for the road. Handling feels great and better than the emonda in most cases which had a short twitchy front end and an horrendous toe overlap on a 56 which otherwise somehow had me stretched out
Weight on road is something I want to work on and wheels number 1 thing to swap out. I've got 2 x AXS but if I can get it to just about sub 8kg that's a good result the emonda in Ultegra di2 guise was 7.2kg and 2018 version so not aero at all
Most of his criticisms of handling etc I think are majorly exaggerated or indeed incorrect in my experience

I don't see that most who buy this bike are wanting or needing to put massively fat tyres on it. Riding gnarlier terrain buy something more suitable. Riding true gravel and wanting to do it fast not mtb trails 40mm is fine

The one thing I do agree with is the cable routing which is all round a questionable decision.
It is aesthetically pig ugly no two ways about it!
If I could change this somehow by changing bar/stem I'd pay for that definitely. All that aero focus everywhere else and then exposed cables rearing up and out... very lame indeed
Most folks won't buy this bike with putting it in a flight box being front and foremost. Appreciate some do
Sent you a pm… I’d like further thoughts on this frame. Thinking about getting it or a Aspedo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

scuddyflypaper
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2020 11:35 am

by scuddyflypaper

Sent you a pm… I’d like further thoughts on this frame. Thinking about getting it or a Aspedo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey I don't seem to have the option of responding to your pm
It's telling me I haven't been a member for long enough.. not sure if that is right or I've missed something

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Relientk1202
Posts: 58
Joined: Thu Apr 22, 2010 3:30 pm

by Relientk1202

scuddyflypaper wrote:Sent you a pm… I’d like further thoughts on this frame. Thinking about getting it or a Aspedo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey I don't seem to have the option of responding to your pm
It's telling me I haven't been a member for long enough.. not sure if that is right or I've missed something
I forgot that you have to be a member and have a certain number of posts before pm becomes available. Check my new message so you can send me a email or something else.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

scuddyflypaper
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2020 11:35 am

by scuddyflypaper

Overall I am pleased with my purchase from Bike Superior in the Netherlands. Recommended - Jochem the owner is really good

Got the red /white racemax as an off the shelf with those guys. Not possible via 3T website direct unless getting the Ekar which didn't interest me

Impressive on gravel indeed. Rock solid and fast and handling also great as far as I can tell
Running the very wide 3T wheels on red Chris King hubs... looking great, sounds good... and smooth
A bit heavy on the road though and the schwalbe gravel tyres are wrong on the road. I need it sorting out urgently I'm having to put in more effort to keep it rolling but then it's to be expected.
I'm generating maybe 40 more watts on average via my faviero assioma power pedals on this bike. Number of factors it could be obviously but maybe more effective power transfer/ position/ traction/ zero offset... who knows

Really stiff frame - put in a big sprint you get the speed

Comfortable which could be down to the wheel / tyre combo
Quite noticeably high stack height. I could reduce this but it's perfect for gravel and then use the drops on the road
Nice handlebar and seat post

Cable routing nothing further to be said I think it sucks but then I bought the bike already knowing this

Road performance I need my new wheels to judge properly but things are looking promising

AXS x2 all good so far the wide range cassette 10-36 pretty much has all bases covered. On and off road for typical terrain south and west of London (rolling/smallish hills up to 1000ft)

Cant compare to the Aspero which also looks a sweet bike. Probably the Exploro style that did it I just thought it looks more individual

tjoerd
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:46 am

by tjoerd

Hey all and especially to 3T Exploro (RaceMax) owners,

New to this forum and created an account as I'm looking into buying the RaceMax in the Sand/Olive color combination, love the pics being uploaded in this thread so thanks for sharing. Last thing I want to tick off before purchase is the correct size: I'm 177/178cm and inseam is 80cm. Any recommendations from current owners as to whether a 54/56 fit them better? Got the chance to ride both sizes shortly on separate occasions, slightly leaning towards the 54 in size.

Thinking of this bike as my n-1 as housing situation doesn't allow more bikes unfortunately. Any tips on set up for best road / gravel combinations, always welcome. Cheers!

Dubadai
Posts: 57
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2018 12:25 pm
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

by Dubadai

Hey!

I am 183cm and have 78,5cm saddle height ish... and I run a 56, which is spot on!

Since stack is so high, I believe that a 56 might be a bit too big for you. I would go for a 54!

I use mine for travel, gravel and then we wet and gritty rides in spring and fall.

Got Ultegra Di2, but running GRX rear mech for the clutch, and then gearing I run 11-34 and 50/34, it's enough for the gravel in Sweden!

I am having some bikefit issues and since there is no setback seatpost I am having some issues on the bike. So looking to get a Diverge instead.

My other bike is a Venge and I cant match the fit without a setback seatpost unfortunately...

Might be good to keep in mind :)

Other than that. A good pair of wheels for road and gravel and it's all you need!

It is very very stiff as well, been riding it exclusively and then went on to ride my Venge today for the first time this year, and it's much more compliant and less harsh...
tjoerd wrote:
Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:21 pm
Hey all and especially to 3T Exploro (RaceMax) owners,

New to this forum and created an account as I'm looking into buying the RaceMax in the Sand/Olive color combination, love the pics being uploaded in this thread so thanks for sharing. Last thing I want to tick off before purchase is the correct size: I'm 177/178cm and inseam is 80cm. Any recommendations from current owners as to whether a 54/56 fit them better? Got the chance to ride both sizes shortly on separate occasions, slightly leaning towards the 54 in size.

Thinking of this bike as my n-1 as housing situation doesn't allow more bikes unfortunately. Any tips on set up for best road / gravel combinations, always welcome. Cheers!
S-Works Venge 2020
S-works Aethos
Specialized Diverge 2021

tjoerd
Posts: 17
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2021 8:46 am

by tjoerd

Dubadai wrote:
Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:34 pm
Hey!

I am 183cm and have 78,5cm saddle height ish... and I run a 56, which is spot on!

Since stack is so high, I believe that a 56 might be a bit too big for you. I would go for a 54!

I use mine for travel, gravel and then we wet and gritty rides in spring and fall.

Got Ultegra Di2, but running GRX rear mech for the clutch, and then gearing I run 11-34 and 50/34, it's enough for the gravel in Sweden!

I am having some bikefit issues and since there is no setback seatpost I am having some issues on the bike. So looking to get a Diverge instead.

My other bike is a Venge and I cant match the fit without a setback seatpost unfortunately...

Might be good to keep in mind :)

Other than that. A good pair of wheels for road and gravel and it's all you need!

It is very very stiff as well, been riding it exclusively and then went on to ride my Venge today for the first time this year, and it's much more compliant and less harsh...
Thanks for the quick response Dubadai!
I think I should be okay with the fit, as far as what I could get from the testrides.
Just to check your last sentence : the Exploro RaceMax is actually more harsh and stiffer than the Venge? Looking to get two wheelsets indeed, was thinking about 32mm tires for the road and light gravel. Will this do or should I think about 35mm for a bit more comfort?

Thanks again, cheers!

Dubadai
Posts: 57
Joined: Sun Nov 18, 2018 12:25 pm
Location: Stockholm, Sweden

by Dubadai

No worries!

Yeah, that is my personal feeling at least, running same tires and wheels (DT Swiss ARC1400, newst model), that the 3T is a bit more stiff and... hmm, whats the word... like you feel much more vibrations and road noise through the saddle and handlebars. I run the Mirror saddle as well so that eats up some of it :)

Its a lovely bike though, had it 2 weeks on Gran Canaria for training, and felt like a road bike, albeit a bit heavier!

Since rolling resistance doesnt go up much for larger tires, i would go for as big as possible, but maybe possibly slicks?

Maybe something like this: https://www.bike24.com/p2270121.html


tjoerd wrote:
Mon Mar 29, 2021 9:31 am
Dubadai wrote:
Sun Mar 28, 2021 9:34 pm
Hey!

I am 183cm and have 78,5cm saddle height ish... and I run a 56, which is spot on!

Since stack is so high, I believe that a 56 might be a bit too big for you. I would go for a 54!

I use mine for travel, gravel and then we wet and gritty rides in spring and fall.

Got Ultegra Di2, but running GRX rear mech for the clutch, and then gearing I run 11-34 and 50/34, it's enough for the gravel in Sweden!

I am having some bikefit issues and since there is no setback seatpost I am having some issues on the bike. So looking to get a Diverge instead.

My other bike is a Venge and I cant match the fit without a setback seatpost unfortunately...

Might be good to keep in mind :)

Other than that. A good pair of wheels for road and gravel and it's all you need!

It is very very stiff as well, been riding it exclusively and then went on to ride my Venge today for the first time this year, and it's much more compliant and less harsh...
Thanks for the quick response Dubadai!
I think I should be okay with the fit, as far as what I could get from the testrides.
Just to check your last sentence : the Exploro RaceMax is actually more harsh and stiffer than the Venge? Looking to get two wheelsets indeed, was thinking about 32mm tires for the road and light gravel. Will this do or should I think about 35mm for a bit more comfort?

Thanks again, cheers!
S-Works Venge 2020
S-works Aethos
Specialized Diverge 2021

MammaJamma34
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Mar 27, 2021 10:31 am

by MammaJamma34

Hello everyone,

It's been over a month since I own 3T exploro max and would like to share my experience about this beauty and maybe this entry would help someone. It came with vittoria barzo 650bx2.1" tires and its a monster in the mtb singletracks. It's a little bit heavy though, especially with those wtb serra wheelset and tire combination (around 11kg).

I'm 177cm and purchased size 56 for myself especially when I'm not that much flexible person :) Bike-fitting specialist also didn't recommended me 54 due to lack of flexibility from my side and stack measures of the bike.

Biggest reason that I chose this bike was of course grey/orange colorway and ability to let me choose which wheelset I'd like to have. Therefore i purchased max version with chunky tires so if i want to upgrade my wheels, I wouldn't have to sell the stock wheelset that bike has came with. So my plan is buying additional 700c aero carbon wheelset so i can change in between those wheelsets based on the road surface needs before i leave home. I'm thinking to get tires with 700x28-32c but i have not decided about which tire width would be better for major tarmac but a little bit of gravel shortcuts. If you have any suggestions please let me know! :D

A little bit of my experience, my first ride was on a slightly rainy day with big part of sandy, rocky and muddy forest roads/singletracks. Bike is really agile and responsive and I'm not sure if it's because of my previous canyon endurace but it was really aerodynamic over headwinds. Seatpost has dropped 5 times which it made me so nervous the whole trip and there was constant clicking sounds coming from the frame. It is my first carbon bike and every click was worrying me so badly that i was afraid that i will break seatpost somehow :lol: Anyway i washed the bike after ride and got rid of all the mud but after that some clicking sounds did not go away. I cleaned the seatpost and applied new carbon paste, for now it does not slip away with correct torque (8nm). But still clicking sound did not go away from frame so I took the bike to the bikeshop where I purchased it. As it turned out I have pressfit BB386EVO bottom bracket and some sand and mud slipped inside of the cranks and bearings. I'm happy that there are no clicking sounds anymore in my bike but cleaning bottom bracket is going to be an issue for me in the upcoming times. I guess this bike is going to make me a mechanic 8)

Cheers!

emotive
Posts: 613
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2016 10:40 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

by emotive

700x32 tyres on some 32mm wide wheels makes for a great road wheelset that can also do some light gravel. Since you have clearance for 32 you get a bit more versatility and they roll just as fast as the same tyre in a 28mm size.

uquality
Posts: 49
Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:36 pm

by uquality

Just waiting for my LB wheels to arrive and my bike should be built by the end of April. Woo!

Question for those running two sets of wheels for "all road" use.
Should I run the same cassette size on both wheels?

I'll have GRX 48-31 up front. I'm a decently strong rider, so was thinking 11-32 gearing for gravel and 11-30 for road.
Not sure if I can get away without b-screw adjustments doing that.

scuddyflypaper
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2020 11:35 am

by scuddyflypaper

Same cassette seems to simplify things definitely
I'm running the sram wide range 10-36 with 2x AXS
Gives me a great range of climbing gears as well as big gears for the higher speeds
It is as a cassette maybe a bit heavy but then my road wheels Zipp Firecrest 303 are not exactly anvil weight. Works well and no adjustment apparently required

jmfreeman535
Posts: 361
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 8:12 pm

by jmfreeman535

uquality wrote:
Wed Apr 07, 2021 4:53 pm
Just waiting for my LB wheels to arrive and my bike should be built by the end of April. Woo!

Question for those running two sets of wheels for "all road" use.
Should I run the same cassette size on both wheels?

I'll have GRX 48-31 up front. I'm a decently strong rider, so was thinking 11-32 gearing for gravel and 11-30 for road.
Not sure if I can get away without b-screw adjustments doing that.
I've swtich between wheels with 11-32 and 11-28 cassettes on my gravel bike, and routinely go between 11-28 and 11-30 on my road bike without any need for adjustment. The 32 to 28 drop wasn't perfect, since it was two cassette-size jumps, and would give the b-screw a quick turn if I thought about, but it was just fine without it. The 28-30 switch isn't even noticeable.

Just set it up for the larger cassette and you'll be good to go.

emotive
Posts: 613
Joined: Tue Nov 01, 2016 10:40 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

by emotive

I’m running 48/31 GRX cranks with 11-34 on the gravel wheelset and 11-30 on the all-road wheelset. It’s good to have the 1:1 gearing for steep gravel.

I don’t adjust the set screw when I swap wheel sets.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



uquality
Posts: 49
Joined: Tue Jun 22, 2010 4:36 pm

by uquality

emotive wrote:
Sat Apr 10, 2021 10:26 am
I’m running 48/31 GRX cranks with 11-34 on the gravel wheelset and 11-30 on the all-road wheelset. It’s good to have the 1:1 gearing for steep gravel.

I don’t adjust the set screw when I swap wheel sets.
Awesome. I always think the 34 is too big for even gravel, but maybe not.

Post Reply