3T’s new Strada Italia blends comfort and aerodynamics while adopting SRAM UDH

New made-in-Italy road bike completes 3T’s Italia collection and fits 35mm tyres

By Stan Portus

Published: Thursday, 09 May 2024 at 15:00 PM

The new Strada Italia completes 3T’s made-in-Italy collection and is claimed to be an aero road bike comfortable enough for everyday riding.

The original 3T Strada caused a stir with its 1x drivetrain and unusual frame shape. The last 3T Strada ICR was arguably a more conventional design, embracing 2x drivetrains and 30mm tyres, and moving to fully integrated cable routing.

The 3T Strada Italia shares much in common with the previous version, continuing to balance comfort and performance. But its geometry has been tweaked and it’s optimised for tyres up to 35mm wide. It has also adopted SRAM’s Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) system.

Made in Italy for reactivity, handling and comfort

The bike is manufactured in 3T’s Bergamo factory. – 3T

The 3T Strada Italia is manufactured in the same Bergamo factory as 3T’s Racemax Italia and Extrema Italia gravel bikes.

3T says the new aero road bike “shares the same filament winding and Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) technology” as the other bikes, “which has allowed 3T to bring much of its production back to Italy”.

The RTM technologies enable 3T’s engineers to have “complete control over the carbon layup process”, according to the brand.

3T claims this enhances your riding experience in three ways: reactivity, handling and comfort.

3T Strada Italia being ridden down hill. — 3T says the Strada Italia’s head tube compliance helps maximise cornering precision. – 3T

In terms of reactivity, 3T says its in-house engineering means the bike’s frame “gives you the energy return you look for whenever you want to up the pace”. 3T also says the short 408mm chainstays offer the feel of a race bike.

The torsional stiffness-to-compliance at the Strada Italia’s head tube is said to help maximise the bike’s precision when cornering, which 3T says aids confidence, especially on challenging descents.

3T Strada Italia seat tube close up. — The cut-out seat tube is one of the Strada’s most distinctive features. – 3T

Despite the reactivity and handling, 3T says the layup of the seat tube has been refined for comfort. This presumably contributes to the brand’s claim that the bike is suitable for professional racers and comfortable enough for everyday riders.

3T says the most significant change to increase comfort is in the shape of the curved aero cut-out seat tube, which is said to give the bike “vertical compliance without compromising energy transfer”.

Updated geometry and aerodynamics for “real riders”

3T Strada Italia front fork close up. — The Italia’s head angle is slacker than the Strada ICR. – 3T

Like the previous Strada ICR, 3T claims the Strada Italia is unique thanks to its comfort and aerodynamic efficiency.

3T says its carbon technology contributes to the bike’s aero and comfort balancing act. But it also says the bike’s geometry ensures you can find your optimal aerodynamic position while maximising performance.

3T Strada Italia front showing bar and stem. — 3T specs the bike with a two-piece cockpit. – 3T

3T hasn’t gone into great detail here. But comparing the 3T Strada ICR and Strada Italia’s geometry charts shows the new bike’s reach has decreased by 5mm and its stack has increased by 9mm for a size-56cm frame. This should put you in a slightly less stretched-out and more upright position.

Meanwhile, the head tube angle is slightly slacker, which could translate to a more stable ride.

While a more relaxed position may seem at odds with aerodynamics, 3T says an “aerodynamic bike is useless if the rider cannot stay in an aerodynamic position”.

3T Strada Italia aero road bikes in white close up of bottle cage on downtube. — The broad down tube shields water bottles. – 3T

Because of this, 3T says cockpit choice and adjustability play an important role. To that end, the brand specs its complete bikes with its bar and stem for flexibility, while concealing hydraulic hoses and eschewing one-piece cockpits.

Elsewhere, 3T has capitalised on the adjustments to UCI regulations, with a deep-yet-narrow head tube said to maximise aerodynamic efficiency. The down tube shields water bottles as well.

3T Strada Italia geometry

	51cm	54cm	56cm	58cm
Seat angle (degrees)	72.5	72.5	72.5	72.5
Head angle (degrees)	71	72.7	72.7	72.7
Rear centre (mm)	408	408	408	407
Seat tube (mm)	496	520	537	555
Top tube (mm)	537	555	569	583
Head tube (mm)	143	159	179	203
Bottom bracket drop (mm)	75	72.5	72.5	70
Stack (mm)	532	554	574	594
Reach (mm)	369	380	388	396
Wheelbase (mm)	991	983	997	1,013

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Future-proof design choices?

3T Strada Italia being ridden along cobbles. — The bike can fit 35mm tyres. – 3T

Two other design decisions arguably future-proof the new 3T Strada Italia.

The bike is optimised for tyres up to 35mm wide. Wide tyres are a growing trend in road bike design, with some of the best aero road bikes accommodating tyres nearly as wide as the 3T Strada Italia. For instance, the Cervélo S5 and Soloist can fit tyres up to 34mm wide.

With the bike adopting the SRAM UDH, 3T is arguably placing its bets on where it thinks road bike tech will go. While the SRAM UDH is common on mountain bikes and some gravel bikes, it’s not commonly seen on road bikes.

A window into 3T’s soul

Close-up of 3T Strada Italia Project X showing carbon weave. — The Strada Italia Project X exposes the frame’s carbon weave. – 3T

3T says its made-in-Italy bikes have a “window into our soul”. Or, in other words, a small transparent panel in the 3T logo on the down tube exposes the carbon fibre weave.

3T also has a Strada Italia Project X frameset. Project X is a “naked” finish showing the carbon weave.

3T Strada Italia specs and pricing

The 3T Strada Italia is available as a frameset or complete bike.

You can buy a standard or Project X frameset, which comes either ready to paint or in the Project X ‘naked’ finish. All framesets have a 3T Aeroflux LTD handlebar and 3T More Integrale Stem.

The complete bikes are available with SRAM Rival AXS, Force AXS or Shimano Ultegra Di2 R8100 groupsets. Across the standard and Project X builds, all share the same handlebar, stem, saddle and Continental GP500 S TR 700x32c tyres. They are available in red, white or green.

Prices for complete builds start at £7,226 / $8,699 / €7,899 / CA$11,699 and rise to £9,604 / $11,599 / €10,499 / CA$15,499.