3T's Exploro frame excels on multiple surfaces, providing a unique aero-gravel bike experience. A GravelPlus frameset it caters for either 700C or 650B wheels, with up to 700x40mm or 650x53mm tyres, a design feature currently unique to Gerard Vroomen gravel bikes. Vroomen, formerly of Cervelo, is head of design at 3T and his impressive engineering mind has left its hallmarks all over the Exploro. Instead of testing aerodynamics at the industry standard 30mph, the Exploro was tested at a more realistic 20mph, meaning a rider feels the benefits of aerodynamic design at lower speeds, resulting in rather atypical aerodynamic design. The Exploro possesses a massive 50mm wide square down tube, fitting in with 3T's Sqaero philosophy. The down tube is designed to catch the airflow coming off the extra wide tyres and is squared off to reduce drag on the side of the down tube. The rest of the tubing tapers towards the rear of the bike for optimal airflow. Vroomen and 3T believe in this aerodynamic philosophy so much that they have presented evidence to suggest a muddy Exploro equipped with knobbly 40c tyres and two water bottles is subject to less drag than a clean round tubed frame with 28c slick tyres, as shown by image 7.
With aerodynamic statistics such as that, why wouldn't you get the Exploro muddy? Made from strong carbon the Exploro Team frame is definitely tough enough for riding roughshod over tricky terrain. Further benefiting the frames rigidity and resilience is the Exploro's 50/75mm wide frontal cross section, optimal for strength and stiffness, key attributes for a gravel bike. Using this stiff and square tubing on a frame with such a short and aggressive geometry makes the Exploro incredibly responsive in acceleration and handling, both on and off-road, making it both incredible on descents and twisty trails alike. Weighing a mere 1150g and having quite possibly the largest bottom bracket I've ever seen on a gravel bike, the Exploro Team is not just aerodynamic at higher speeds, it also flies off the line and is perfectly comfortable ascending too. Other nifty innovations such as neat and tidy internal cable routing and the option to mount a single water bottle in a lower position for optimal aerodynamics on race day, show Vroomen and 3T's commitment to producing something truly special. Full of innovation and the result of considered lateral thinking the 3T Exploro is an excellent frame capable of incredible performance both on and off-road and really is for those who want to explore.