PRESEZZO – One of the most sought-after gravel racing bikes has been updated to be even more modern and faster. The new Primo2, but 3T pushes hard on the accelerator and makes the 3T Racemax2 Italy.
It is the second generation of the gravel race completely designed, drawn, engineered and produced in Italy, inside the 3T headquarters in Presezzo. The DNA of the second version remains unchanged, as does the aesthetic impact that makes the new one perfectly comparable to the previous generation, but Diversity exists and is important.
Bringing production back to Italy
Let's go into detail also thanks to the contribution of Henry Romero, carbon engineer and production manager at 3T.
«Starting from the top of the range, that is, from the bikes that bring with them the suffix Italy – explains Romero – 3T's goal is to bring all production here in-house in the coming years. It is an ambitious project that also puts us in front of high investments, but we are working on it and it is feasible. Coming back to us, the Racemax2 Italia uses the same production technology as the previous one, that is the Filament WindingThis is a method performed entirely here in the factory and uses dry, non-prepreg carbon fibers as most brands use.
«The dry carbon fibre and the manufacturing process adopted – concludes Romero – allows us to have total control over the different steps, the quality and also the performance we want to obtain from each bike. Furthermore, Filament Winding also significantly reduces costs and energy usage, a factor that should not be overlooked."
How long does it take to create an Italia frame? «From step zero to the finished bike ready to be pedaled – says Romero – it takes about 10 days. The only process that is done outside of 3T is painting., carried out however just a few kilometres from our headquarters and by a very close partner".
3T Racemax2 Italia, even faster gravel
One of the goals was further improve aerodynamic efficiency of an already modern and advanced bike. The second generation increases its efficiency by 1,5% thanks to some design solution and revisited geometry. Racemax2 Italia was also born thanks to the contribution of the Politecnico di Milano, increasingly a protagonist in the world of super performance bikes. In terms of numbers and with the same size, the new bike increases reach and stack values by 3mm each, so it's slightly taller and longer, but it provides for a lowering of the bottom bracket shell.
There is more space for the tires to pass through and wheels with a rounded profile. The single crown configuration allows for the passage of labelled tyres up to 45 millimetres wide (they are often widened to 47/48 millimeters), while with the double plateau the passage is reduced by a few millimeters (due to the bulk of the derailleur). The widened spaces have not negatively affected the length of the rear triangle, which records one of the shortest values in the gravel race category. It is 420 mm long, only two more than the older version.
Always with a view to efficiency and improving aerodynamic penetration, it was completely redesigned steering tube. It is no longer round, but uses a pointed shape in the central section: solution borrowed in part from its sister road Strada Italia. Added to this is the characteristic shape of the oblique, which widens significantly in the center and towards the bottom. It's not just an aesthetic whim, but protects against any interference that bottle cages can create, improving the front aero effect.
Details to consider
La headset was developed in collaboration with CeramicSpeed, adopts the latter's SLT system and particular attention has been paid to precision and agility of the rotary movement. One of the important innovations of 3T Racemax2 Italia concerns the addition of a compartment in the oblique pipe (but the version without compartment is also available): useful space to insert a case with small tools for a possible first aid. The compartment is perfectly integrated and hidden under the bottle cage, the latter applied to a special cover. In total, the bottle cages that can be mounted on the Racemax2 Italia they are three (oblique, upright and under the oblique).
The seat post has a specific design, is full carbon and is available in the zero setback version, a pure gravel race style. The seat tube housing design also makes the seat-post of the previous version compatible, but the new one comes with an integrated LED that gives a nod to safety and visibility. On the 3T Racemax2 Italia it is possible to mount and160 mm diameter brake discs only, for front and rear.
For number lovers
The renewed Racemax2 Italia is available in four sizes: S and M, L and XL. The The declared weight of the fork is 380 grams and adopts the D-shaped stem to simplify the entire sliding of the sheaths, considering that the bicycle is compatible with battery-powered transmissions only. Racemax2 Italia is available with or without a compartment in the downtube, with a declared scale value (respectively) of 1.050 and 990 grams (medium size and unpainted). The weight of the complete ready-to-use bicycle, with high-end equipment, starts at approximately 7,9 kilograms, light and still in line with current trends in the fast gravel category.
- There are six setups available in the catalogue, to which they are adds the frame-kit (frame, fork and headset, seat-post with integrated light, 3T More stem and 3T Aeroghiaia integral handlebar) 4.917 euros list price.
The full version which is based on Shimano's 2×12 GRX Di2 drivetrain (with 3T Discus 45/40 LTD wheels) has a list price of 8.114 € and with the same price there is the package with Sram Force AXS XPLR 1×13.
The level (and price) is raised slightly with the Sram setup Force AXS XPLR 1×13 which brings with it the single chainring/crankset 3T Torno:, 8.605 euros. And then the three super top-of-the-range trims, namely the two with transmission Sram Red AXS XPLR 1×13, with and without 3T Torno crankset, both a 10.409 €, to get to the package Campagnolo Super Record 2×13 at 10.736 euros (with 3T Discus LTD 45/40 wheels).
