Orro's Terra Carbon frame is a real thing of beauty in terms of both aesthetics and engineering. The distinctive silhouette of the Terra C frameset cuts a striking figure and has already drawn the admiration of Flat Harry's customers and staff alike. As for engineering, a high quality carbon lay-up keeps the frame light and responsive, for uncanny road bike performance on tarmac, making it a great Winter riding machine. A long wheelbase and relaxed head angle make the Terra C stable on rough ground and ready to take on many different kinds of terrain. Orro have developed the Terra C frame with “Innegra” protective layering, developed by frequent Orro collaborators Sigmatex, an internationally renowned carbon fibre development firm. This protective layer is used on key parts of the frame, such as the downtube, bottom bracket and chainstays, to reduce the carbon's vulnerability to chipping from debris thrown up by your wheels. With a wider bottom bracket the Terra C frame provides great stiffness and power transfer whilst also having wider chainstays to accommodate tyres up to 700x42c. With mounts for full mudguards and even a rear rack, Orro have really thought of everything with the Terra C frame, capable of turning its talents to so many different types of riding.
As much work as the frame does in enabling you to mix the pleasures of on and off-road cycling the tyres are a really important factor in a bikes ability to handle rougher surfaces. However this does not mean that you need to be running 2.5 inch knobblys. When off-roading it really is surface area that makes all the difference and you'll be pleasantly surprised at just where you can go on the Continetal Grand Sport 32's that come on this machine. Run at a sensible pressure, these tyres will provide you great grip when you fancy taking a shortcut down your local bridleway. The other benefit of running slick 32's is that your road riding will be almost entirely unimpeded. Granted these tyres may be a bit heavier than the 25's on your summer bike, but they will iron out dodgy Winter road surfaces impeccably, as well as providing more confidence in treacherous conditions. Of course you can always fit 25's to a Terra C and ride it throughout Summer if you so wish, such is the versatility and performance of the frame.
Shimano's 105 disc brake groupset is a great match for the Orro Terra C frame. The 105 drivetrain is a smooth operator and Shimano's hydraulic disc brakes provide optimal braking in Wintry conditions and when off-roading. The consistent modulation and high power of hydraulic discs gives great confidence and dovetails nicely with the geometry of the Terra C, both providing control when pushing yourself to the limit. This build uses fulcrum's new R700 DB wheelset, providing performance and reliability in equal measure, both important considerations on a gravel bike. Deda's Zero 1 bars and stem and Orro's own Super Lite seatpost provide high quality finishing touches to Orro's Terra C frame.