The brand new Shimano GRX drivetrain is right here, and so is our take a look at group. Initially, I had plans to construct up the T-Lab X3s with the brand new group, however that bike had been in our fingers for practically a 12 months so it was time for it to move dwelling. Again to the drafting board. 

Whereas debating what to request to hold the brand new 12-speed components on, I assumed, “what higher bike to check out the brand new GRX group than the bike that I’ve been driving with the outdated GRX group for years?”

That bike is an absolute favourite of mine: the Otso Warakin Ti. The one catch was that the pattern I had for my overview was one of many very first frames that Otso had ever acquired from their body builder. Consequently, it was not suspension corrected and it didn’t have routing for a dropper put up.

Otso was one of many first manufacturers to supply a suspension-corrected gravel body with the power to run as much as 29 x 2.1” tires, and since they up to date the body I’ve been dying to attempt it out. As soon as the gravel bike stars aligned, I ended up with the most recent model of the Warakin Ti body, a Fox 32 Gravel fork, and an entire Shimano GRX & Professional construct to tie all of it collectively. Time to get began. 

Otso Warakin Ti All-Street / Gravel / Journey Body

As talked about, the Otso Warakin Ti is already considered one of my favorites. I’ve solely ridden it in a inflexible configuration and with the non-suspension corrected geometry although, so this one is totally different. Constructed from seamless 3/2.5 B338 grade 9 titanium, the body options internally double-butted tubing on the entrance triangle. The end is fascinating however minimal with refined bead-blasted graphics. I’ve put the very first technology via hell, and it’s nonetheless driving – and searching pretty much as good as ever.

If you happen to order a body from Otso, you’ll be able to both select simply the body for $2,950, or add the Lithic Hilli carbon fork with triple mounts for one more $250. Frames additionally embrace a Wolf Tooth Efficiency headset and seat put up clamp, all in your most popular colour together with the bolt equipment and headset spacers.

I’m driving a 54cm – be sure you have a look at the geometry chart earlier than ordering. Despite the fact that it’s labeled a 54cm, it has an precise 53cm high tube and seat tube, and matches smaller than the dimensions would counsel. On the size with headset, seat put up clamp, Tuning Chip dropout system, and rear axle, the body weighs in at 1,950g. The fork with crown race and axle provides one other 610g.

Fox 32 Taper Solid Fork

After driving the RockShox Rudy on the T-Lab X3-S, I couldn’t wait to get my fingers on an journey bike with a suspension fork once more. The Fox 32 Taper Solid fork ended up being the place to begin for this construct, and I’m excited to check it to the RockShox Rudy Final. I simply want I might discover some olive decals to exchange the orange graphics to higher match the bike.

Shimano GRX RX820 1 x 12 Drivetrain

Onto the center of the construct, the new Shimano GRX 12-speed group. The unique Warakin was arrange with the Shimano GRX 800 1x group with an 11-40t cassette. So the brand new group with a 10-51t cassette ought to present some welcomed vary. For the precise weights of the group, take a look at our unique put up right here.

For this construct, I requested the 1x group with a 172.5 crankset with a 40t chainring. I additionally requested the dropper post-compatible STI lever – extra on that beneath.

Enduro BB

Initially, this group was meant to go on the T-Lab X3-S, so it shipped with no backside bracket (Shimano doesn’t make a BB386). After altering plans to construct up the Warakin, Enduro Bearings stepped up with considered one of their XD-15 BSA threaded backside brackets for Shimano. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a brand new Shimano crankset spin so easily. Will probably be fascinating to see how this holds up comparatively.

Built-in Dropper Lever

If you happen to’ve hung out on the GRX 800 shifters, the 12-speed model will really feel very acquainted. That is good, as a result of the ergonomics of the earlier model had been wonderful. The one criticism I’ve ever had with them is the sloppy match of the hood – which continues to this technology as properly. After peeling again the hoods to attach the brake strains and bleed the brakes, it’s very troublesome to get the hood to cleanly match again into place.

You will have a selection in relation to brake levers for a 1x group. There are two totally different LH levers – one that’s only a brake lever, and one that may be a brake lever and a dropper put up lever. In concept, this could make for the most effective dropper levers for dropbars. The lever makes use of the identical movement as you’d to shift, so it’s very pure and straightforward in multiple-hand positions.

Nevertheless, you want to run the cable with the cable head up on the shifter. That can restrict you to what dropper posts you’ll be able to run since many have transitioned to operating the cable head on the seatpost. I discovered that the appropriate Shimano PRO Uncover 70 dropper put up was simply too lengthy for my saddle top on this body. I had a CrankBrothers Highline XC dropper that was quick sufficient to run, but it surely requires the cable head on the put up so it’s not appropriate with the Shimano lever. Anybody with an extended seat put up extension seemingly received’t run into this difficulty, however for us quick folks on frames with out a lot room for a dropper, it’s one thing to think about.

I haven’t given up on a dropper put up for this bike, however might want to kind out the distant and put up compatibility first.

Brakes

Whereas the brakes look comparable, there are some substantial modifications. The pads not use a flat blade screwdriver for the retaining pin, as a substitute shifting to a 3mm Allen bolt. Extra importantly, the whole bleed system had modified with a separate bleed port on the facet of the caliper, and a threaded ‘management valve’ on high. Now, you join the hose to the bleed port after which management the stream of fluid by turning the Allen screw on high.

The brake pads themselves are additionally totally different and now characteristic a considerable chamfer on the backside. This was seemingly finished to make it simpler to insert the wheel as it’s going to feed the rotor in between the pads higher. However for the reason that pad materials is similar measurement, you’re going to see a smaller contact floor on the rotor. Initially, I assumed I had one thing improper with the caliper adapters on the brand new construct as a result of the pad seemed prefer it was sitting larger – it was simply the visible distinction of the chamfer.

C32 Carbon Wheels

The WH-RX880 wheels are a C32 mannequin, which merely means they’re carbon with a 32mm depth. You’ll discover the identical C32 designation on different wheels like these within the 105 lineup, but it surely’s the WH-RX880 quantity that distinguishes the mannequin (technically WH-RX880-TL-F12-700C). These tubeless wheels have a 25mm inside width, 24 spokes per wheel, and embrace the required Micro Spline freehub to be used with the cassettes wanted for GRX 12 pace.

PRO Cockpit

Every time we get a brand new Shimano group to construct up, they are going to usually embrace an entire PRO cockpit. This can be a 44cm PRO Uncover 12 diploma flare aluminum bar with an 80mm Uncover stem. Their Gravel Consolation Tape was additionally included, which is definitely fairly good. It appears like a really strong, cheesy bar tape with a 3mm complete thickness. The backing is ‘Good Silicone adhesive’ which helps it keep in place with out truly sticking to the bar while you go to take away it. The tape can be further lengthy with 230mm rolls for wider bars or nearer wrapping.

The final a part of the PRO package deal is the Stealth Offroad saddle. The shorter saddle is available in 142 or 152mm widths, and it’s particularly padded for gravel & MTB racing.

Pedals

There aren’t any particular GRX pedals, however like different components of the group, it borrows from the Shimano MTB lineup. Shimano’s XTR pedals are an apparent selection right here, and also you’ll have a selection between the usual axle size, or one that’s 3mm shorter. That works out to 52mm or 55mm for the crank-to-pedal middle measurement.

Ultimate Weight

Because it sits with a Zipp carbon seatpost, the entire construct with pedals and 45mm Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC tires is 22.5lbs. That’s roughly 1.25lbs heavier than the outgoing Warakin with a inflexible carbon fork, GRX 800 group, and comparable GRX carbon wheels.