3T’s high carbon aero gravel race bike will get an entire redesign as the brand new RaceMax² Italia, highlighted by a brand new aerodynamic nostril job and a 1.5% drag discount, even with its larger tires. 3T describes it as a ‘fully re-engineered’ bike, and a greater all-rounder. But it surely additionally nonetheless appears to be like loads just like the acquainted race-ready RaceMax in all the nice methods, simply extra refined than ever. Larger tire clearance, higher cable integration, safe inner body storage, and extra refined aerodynamic shaping general.
2025 3T RaceMax² Italia aero gravel race bike, made-in-Italy
At first look, it nonetheless appears to be like loads just like the RaceMax we examined 5 years in the past. It will get the identical dramatically outsized downtube, wider on the backside, developed from the unique Exploro for 3T’s pioneering gravel aerodynamics. Plus, there’s the identical thinner squaero tube shapes all through the remainder of the body to steadiness aerodynamic efficiency with all-day consolation. And the identical extremely low-stack fork crown, tight rear wheel cutout, and dropped chainstays, that permit 3T squeeze in huge gravel tire clearance, and nonetheless match correct 2x cranksets for the roadie aspect of the gravel crowd who wish to go quick.
However now, there’s room for larger tires – now as much as 51mm WAM (precise Width As Measured). Extra refined aerodynamics that decrease drag even with the fatter tires. Plus, enhancements to consolation and dealing with too. As a result of you’ll be able to solely go quick on a gravel race bike in the event you can survive racing over tough terrain for a lot of lengthy hours within the saddle.
Improved aerodynamics
Lowered drag begins with the brand new aero nostril and revised fork up entrance, tucks your spares out of the wind within the center, and finishes with a brand new aero rear finish.
The brand new prolonged nostril and slim headtube are all about decreasing drag up entrance, not dissimilar to what we just lately noticed on the most recent Strada street bike replace. The revised entrance finish shaping works along with 3T’s Integrale-style fully inner cable routing and a CeramicSpeed SLT ‘lifetime’ headset so that you get easy routing by way of the headset, however by no means have to fret that the bearing with hoses inside will must be taken aside for servicing.
The brand new RaceMax² additionally will get a brand new Fango RaceMax² fork that’s slimmer and sleeker down beneath the headtube all the best way to the axle. Flat mount brakes nonetheless bolt on immediately from the entrance for a clear, adapter-free set up. However they now use customary size bolts like in your chainstay, then clip an aero cowl excessive. Furthering easy airflow, the fork now has a closed driveside dropout, with the bolt to take away the axle solely seen on the non-driveside.
The brand new fork² additionally blends its crown into the large downtube for improved airflow transition off the entrance wheel. And there’s even a tiny entrance wheel cutout there to maintain all the pieces tight & aero. Issues are tight, and it appears to be like like the identical steerer cease that protects cables from injury additionally ought to restrict the fork crown from scraping the underside of the body.
Out again, the brand new 3T RaceMax² importantly will get an even bigger seattube cutout to suit these key larger tires, with aero transitions on the high of its dropped seatstays. The bike nonetheless makes use of a proprietary, slim D-shaped aero seatpost. But it surely now integrates an easily-USB-rechargeable 25-lumen clip-on taillight up high, which has the aspect advantage of additionally offering much-appreciated flex simply on the high of the seatpost for further rider consolation. There’s additionally a easy cowl for bikepackers that plan to strap on a giant saddle pack, or if you wish to ditch the sunshine.
Larger aero downtube, now with safe storage inside, too!
The brand new RaceMax² downtube now tops out at 75mm large in its decrease part (up a pair mm from earlier than). That’s each to protect a full-size water bottle within the decrease cage place, however now additionally to higher home your spares inside. You continue to get 2 cage positions on the large detachable glovebox door. And 3T labored with Fidlock to create a simple-to-open magnetic latch that’s actually safe. Simply pop it into place, and it mechanically snaps shut. However its secret is a tiny further push of the Fidlock latch, that actually locks it shut. It’s a must to watch out to recollect and correctly latch it. However once you do, that is probably the most safe closure I’ve used that’s nonetheless very easy to function.
Inside, 3T partnered with Italian-made bikepacking bag specialists Miss Grape to create a easy neoprene bag that may maintain your spares safe, your body protected against metallic instruments, and all the pieces rattle-free.
Up to date geometry & sizing
The brand new 3T RaceMax² will get barely revised geometry, developed primarily to take care of the road-like sharp dealing with character of the unique RaceMax (and Exploro earlier than it), however tweaked to be used with wider tires. That implies that although the rear finish is barely longer, the headtube is a bit steeper, BB heights a bit increased, and fork Path is barely decreased because of elevated offset.
On paper you’ll be able to see a couple of modifications within the chart – like a 0.5° steeper head angle and 2mm extra BB drop in my dimension M – however the trip really feel is far the identical. For instance, the chainstays are 5mm longer, however nonetheless tremendous quick at 420mm for a motorcycle that may clear a 29 x 2″ mountain bike tire. And the modifications offset added tire weight & top properly to get incrementally elevated stability, whereas retaining maneuverability.
All 3T sizing additionally now strikes to letters as a substitute of centimeter sizing, since that doesn’t actually correspond to trendy sloping body designs or shifts in body attain up to now decade anyway. For this new bike, there’s now simply 4 sizes at launch. However these sizes technically shift down one step to a brand new S-XL vary, which appears to higher correspond to my very own private expertise of the place I believed I might match, as properly. I used to be a 56, then a 54/S, now again to an M which aligns extra with different bike manufacturers.
Tech particulars
filament-wound Italia hi-mod carbon gravel body, made completely in Italy
aero optimized for 41-51mm WAM tires, 45mm really useful
absolutely built-in inner cable routing, for mechanical 1x or digital
51mm max tire clearance with 1x drivetrain (or 48mm max with a 2x setup)
1x max 52T chainring on Torno Large cranks, GRX 2×12 as much as 48/31T, Campy 2×13 as much as 52/36T, no SRAM 2x compatability claimed
1050g claimed body weight (990g with out storage?) + 380g fork (dimension M, unpainted with out {hardware})
4 sizes (S-XL)
Simply In
The brand new 3T RaceMax² Italia solely simply confirmed up in our workshop this week, nevertheless it rapidly made some first impressions. I’ve ridden each era of 3T’s gravel bikes from the primary Exploro. And this looks like probably the most superior gravel race bike up to now. It’s not fairly as burly feeling or as snug because the Extrema, nevertheless it definitely appears to be like and feels each faster and extra refined. Exterior of the cable routing of the unique RaceMax, I used to be fairly a fan of that bike’s versatility. 3T already fastened that final yr. Now this newest evolution takes integration and aerodynamics to the subsequent stage, whereas boosting versatility through larger tires to tackle something from easy champagne to huge, chunky gravel roads.
First Impressions on the 3T RaceMax²
I’m personally not the most important fan of inner body storage. It invariably provides weight, complexity, and you continue to want to recollect what spares you’ve got packed inside. However the RaceMax² resolution in undeniably clear & easy. The Fidlock closure, the mushy sealing across the opening, and the little Miss Grape bag inside all work collectively to make for a pleasant setup. And it means you get a clear look underneath the saddle with a tidy taillight built-in into the seatpost.
I additionally love that it may match a correct 2x drivetrain with their tight, easy gearing steps. The newest Campagnolo Tremendous Document 13 wi-fi groupset is fairly wonderful, and works nice on each street and gravel with its easy 13-speed gearing steps.
I can solely fault a few small factors about this bike. One, its paint job is sweet. However I really feel prefer it’s a disgrace that the filament-wound carbon is hidden from view. After I first popped open the inner storage and noticed the gorgeous carbon weave, I sighed, realizing that I might by no means see it once more except I used to be digging for a software or tube to hold out a trailside restore.
The opposite is its weight. 3T claims a <1kg body weight. However with large carbon wheels (1435g claimed), fats 45mm gravel tires (~1050g for the pair), sealant, a pair of 280g Eggbeater pedals, ~40g of carbon cages, and a 30g GPS mount… all of it provides as much as 9.11kg able to trip, even with a brilliant high-end Campy Tremendous Document gruppo.
First Rides
Now it doesn’t really feel heavy in any respect. Fairly the opposite, the trip is undecidedly quick. And people big-volume tires go an extended option to making this bike extra snug than any earlier 3T gravel race bike, whereas enhancing management, too. I suppose I simply should get used to the concept that even a brilliant premium gravel race bike is gonna weigh over 9kg as soon as we settle for ever-wider tires.
As a result of ultimately, the trip of the brand new 3T RaceMax² feels even higher than I anticipated. It’s quick and nimble. And the design is extra refined than ever. 45s are apparently the brand new 40s for the racer mindset crowd. I’m even curious to how it will large with fast-rolling 29 x 2.0″ mountain bike tires. Solely a yr or two in the past, I might have balked at tires this huge on a gravel race bike. It appears perhaps like consolation and cornering grip are opening up my thoughts.
2025 3T RaceMax² Italia – Pricing, choices & availability
The brand new 3T RaceMax² Italia is accessible now in 4 body sizes as a frameset or quite a lot of full bike builds. Choose from 4 customary colours, a particular version Reverb paintjob, the distinctive Venture X that exhibits off the distinctive carbon building, or a Prepared-to-Paint uncooked mannequin as your personal clean canvas.
The made-in-Italy RaceMax² Italia frameset sells for about $6500 (earlier than tax) / 5900€ (together with VAT, which varies a bit market to market). For that, you get the Italia frameset, plus the built-in Aeroghiaia handlebar & Integrale stem, the seatpost with built-in gentle, and a Ok-edge out entrance mount.
Full bikes vary from $11,000 / 9740€ with GRX 2x Di2 as much as $14,600 / 12.880€ all the best way as much as Tremendous Document 13 wi-fi and 3T’s personal 29mm inner Disco 45|40 LTD carbon wheels. Order yours as we speak immediately from 3T.
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