{"id":51828,"date":"2023-07-20T10:30:46","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T08:30:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=739513"},"modified":"2023-07-20T11:35:41","modified_gmt":"2023-07-20T09:35:41","slug":"revamped-gt-grade-gets-rowdy-with-new-geometry-increased-tyre-clearance-and-a-suspension-equipped-spec","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/revamped-gt-grade-gets-rowdy-with-new-geometry-increased-tyre-clearance-and-a-suspension-equipped-spec\/","title":{"rendered":"Revamped GT Grade gets rowdy with new geometry, increased tyre clearance and a suspension-equipped spec"},"content":{"rendered":"

GT\u2019s classic Grade gravel machine gets ready to push the boundaries of gravel adventures <\/p>

By Warren Rossiter\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 20 July 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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GT has launched the third-generation Grade Carbon, with a new suspension-equipped X model that shows the most significant shift in the brand\u2019s gravel bike design since debuting in 2014.<\/p>\n

The new frame retains GT\u2019s unique approach, with its floating triple triangle that blends high-modulus (and high-stiffness) carbon fibre for the head tube, bottom bracket and chainstays, with low-modulus (and comfort-enhancing) fibres for the seatstays, and mid-modulus everywhere else.<\/p>\n

These combine with the leaf-spring like seat tube to create a claimed 30mm of travel, without resorting to pivots or suspensions like Cannondale\u2019s Topstone<\/a> or Specialized\u2019s Diverge STR<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What has changed, however, is GT\u2019s approach to gravel geometry<\/a>. The original GT Grade, launched in 2014<\/a>, was more akin to a classic endurance road bike. The Mk 2 Grade, from 2020<\/a>, introduced bigger tyre clearances (42c) and a flip-chip front fork to alter the trail, making the Grade versatile as an all-road endurance bike or a full-out gravel bike.<\/p>\n

\""New\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The new GT Grade Carbon X places the Grade at the more extreme end of gravel adventures.<\/span><\/figcaption> GT<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The third-generation bike, however, sees a shift to geometry that\u2019s more focused on technical off-road riding, while also offering compatibility with the latest gravel suspension forks.<\/p>\n

On the same theme, tyre clearance has increased to 50c without mudguards and 45c with. The Grade Carbon still comes with a removable mudguard\/fender bridge. The new Grade Carbon has moved to a threaded bottom bracket, too.<\/p>\n

There are two models of the Grade Carbon at launch, including the Grade Carbon X, equipped with a suspension fork and dropper post, while GT has updated the aluminium frame, too.<\/p>\n

Frame geometry updated<\/h2>\n
\""New\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
GT claims the new geometry offers a better balance to the handling when the going gets technical.<\/span><\/figcaption> GT<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

GT has adapted the Grade Carbon\u2019s geometry with an eye on off-road handling, primarily pushing the head tube angle out and increasing the length of the top tube.<\/p>\n

The head tube angle has been relaxed to 70 degrees (from 72.3 degrees), but it retains the sporty 73-degree seat angle.<\/p>\n

GT says the change in head tube angle pushes it out to the point where it helps with control in fast, rough and technical gravel riding<\/a>. However, it doesn\u2019t make the steering sloppy when climbing.<\/p>\n

\""New\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
GT\u2019s signature Triple Triangle shape is still a key feature. The frame now offers dropper post compatibility.<\/span><\/figcaption> GT<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The head tube length has also been reduced to 162mm from 187mm (size large). This is to allow for suspension fork compatibility \u2013 something the Mk 2 Grade didn\u2019t offer, because it had a parallel 1-1\/8in steerer. All current gravel suspension forks<\/a> have a tapered steerer.<\/p>\n

The bottom bracket drop has increased to 75mm from 70mm, to take into account larger tyre sizes, and the reach is stretched out to 425mm from 400mm. The stack has dropped 9mm to 603mm.<\/p>\n

GT claims this move to a longer front-centre will help riders centre their weight distribution more evenly, improving control off-road and also enabling riders to tune the bike more to their personal preference with handlebar setups (which vary significantly in the gravel world<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The seat tube has also dropped in length because GT envisages plenty of riders opting to use a gravel dropper post<\/a> on the Grade, and this allows for maximum clearance and drop.<\/p>\n

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<\/colgroup>
S<\/th>M<\/th>L<\/th>XL<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Wheel size<\/b><\/td>700c<\/td>700c<\/td>700c<\/td>700c<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>450<\/td>500<\/td>550<\/td>600<\/td> <\/tr>
Top tube, horizontal<\/b> (mm) <\/td>553<\/td>581<\/td>609<\/td>683<\/td> <\/tr>
Top tube, actual <\/b>(mm)<\/td>530<\/td>560<\/td>591<\/td>623<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube angle<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>70<\/td>70<\/td>70<\/td>70<\/td> <\/tr>
Seat tube angle, effective <\/b>(degrees)<\/td>73<\/td>73<\/td>73<\/td>73<\/td> <\/tr>
Standover height <\/b>(mm)<\/td>730<\/td>753<\/td>792<\/td>816<\/td> <\/tr>
Head tube length <\/b>(mm)<\/td>106<\/td>134<\/td>162<\/td>191<\/td> <\/tr>
Wheelbase <\/b>(mm)<\/td>1,040<\/td>1,069<\/td>1,099<\/td>1,129<\/td> <\/tr>
Front centre <\/b>(mm)<\/td>621<\/td>650<\/td>680<\/td>710<\/td> <\/tr>
Chainstay length<\/b> (mm)<\/td>430<\/td>430<\/td>430<\/td>430<\/td> <\/tr>
Bottom bracket drop <\/b>(mm)<\/td>75<\/td>75<\/td>75<\/td>75<\/td> <\/tr>
Bottom bracket height <\/b>(mm)<\/td>284<\/td>284<\/td>284<\/td>284<\/td> <\/tr>
Fork rake<\/b> (degrees)<\/td>55<\/td>55<\/td>55<\/td>55<\/td> <\/tr>
Trail <\/b>(mm)<\/td>72<\/td>72<\/td>72<\/td>72<\/td> <\/tr>
Stack<\/b> (mm)<\/td>550<\/td>577<\/td>603<\/td>630<\/td> <\/tr>
Reach<\/b> (mm)<\/td>385<\/td>405<\/td>425<\/td>445<\/td> <\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>