Gravel bike presented by DecathlonRiverside GCR

Sandra Schuberth

 · 11.07.2023

Gravel bike presented by Decathlon: Riverside GCRPhoto: Hersteller

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Decathlon has had a new gravel bike in its range for a few days now. The Riverside GCR is designed to provide riding fun on gravel and tarmac. The carbon frame, electronic gears and 45 millimetres of tyre clearance ensure this.

Decathlon's own-brand bicycle products are all developed in Lille, France. Did you know that? This also includes the Van Rysel and Riverside brands. Lille is home to the BTWIN Village. It houses design offices, test labs, workshops and more, providing the development teams with all the facilities they need for their work. Decathlon recently presented the latest models for 2023 from this very bike cosmos: These are a gravel bike and a road bike. Both bikes with racing handlebars are designed for ambitious cyclists and are equipped with high-quality, renowned components, thanks to which Decathlon promises more fun, comfort and reliability on bike tours.

The new Riverside GCR gravel bike from Decathlon is said to weigh 9.0 kilos.Photo: HerstellerThe new Riverside GCR gravel bike from Decathlon is said to weigh 9.0 kilos.

Decathlon gravel bike: made of carbon for the first time

With the Riverside GCR Decathlon presents its first gravel bike with a carbon frame. High torsional rigidity, low weight and riding comfort were important to the development team. The design also had to be appealing: Decathlon describes the Riverside gravel bike with its carbon fibre chassis as sleek and elegant.

1060 gram frame weight and designed for electric drivetrains

In the Riverside GCR, development and design teams have realised their vision of the perfect gravel bike. In true Decathlon style, this also includes ensuring that the sporty bike is ultimately affordable (although this point should be seen in relative terms). The motto of the French sports discounter is to experience sport together and make this possible for as many people as possible.

With carbon as the frame material, the Riverside GCR achieves a frame weight of 1060 grams in size M, according to the manufacturer. The frame is UCI-certified and designed for electronic groupsets. The brake cables are routed inside the frame. There are no mounting points on the fork, which is also made of carbon fibre. There is also no option to mount a (third) bottle cage on the down tube. Instead, the Riverside GCR is a simple gravel bike for sporty gravel rides and bikepacking tours where a standard Bikepacking set consisting of handlebar bag, seatpost bag, frame bag and top tube bag is sufficient.

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The geometry data of the Riverside gravel bike from Decathlon at a glancePhoto: HerstellerThe geometry data of the Riverside gravel bike from Decathlon at a glance

Gearstick and brakes

The Decathlon gravel bike Riverside GCR is equipped with a Sram Rival XPLR AXS 12-speed drivetrain. Hydraulic disc brakes with organic pads complete the bike and provide the necessary deceleration off-road.

Wheels, tyres and more

A bike is not a bike without wheels. This also applies to the Decathlon gravel bike. The Riverside GCR has been fitted with a set of Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 aluminium wheels, tubeless ready and tough. The Riverside gravel bike is fitted with 40 mm wide Hutchinson Touareg tyres, a versatile tyre for gravel and asphalt. The frame and fork even offer space for gravel tyres up to 45 millimetres wide.

The Riverside GCR is also equipped with a Terra Argo saddle from Fizik and aluminium handlebars with a 16 degree flare. The stem and seatpost are also made of aluminium.

The Decathlon gravel bike Riverside GCR in detail

  • Weight: approx. 9.0 kilos
  • Permissible total weight: 110 kilos
  • Drive: SRAM Rival XPLR AXS 12-speed, chainring 38 teeth, cassette 10-44 teeth
  • Price: 2799 euros, from 1 February 2999 euros >> available here
  • Brakes: SRAM Rival hydraulic disc brakes, 160 mm brake discs
  • Impellers: Fulcrum Rapid Red 900
  • Tyres: Hutchinson Touareg tyres in 700×40 mm TLR
  • Saddle: Fizik Argo Terra
  • Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Carbon gravel bike from Decathlon under 3000 euros: the Riverside GCR with Sram Rival XPLR AXS drivetrainPhoto: HerstellerCarbon gravel bike from Decathlon under 3000 euros: the Riverside GCR with Sram Rival XPLR AXS drivetrain

Sandra Schuberth, sometimes an after-work ride, sometimes a training ride, sometimes an unsupported bikepacking challenge. The main thing is her and her gravel bike - away from the traffic. Seven Serpents, Badlands or Bright Midnight: she has finished challenging bikepacking races. Gravel and bikepacking are her favourite subjects, and her demands on equipment are high. What she rides, uses and recommends has to stand the test of time: not in marketing, but in real life.

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