Whether a gravel bike really needs a suspension fork, a dropper post and numerous other detailed solutions is a hotly debated topic in the BIKE editorial team. One thing is certain: The Propain Terrel CF Trail combines all these modern options in a really attractive deal.
The brand is primarily known for its high-performance mountain bikes and its founding history goes back to a downhill full-suspension bike. With the Terrel, Propain wants to transfer its off-road expertise to a bike with a drop bar. The first gravel bike from the Upper Swabians gives customers a whole host of options. We opted for the trail version of the Terrel CF.
The Propain Terrel CF in detail
- Price: 3644 Euro
- Application: Gravel bike
- Wheel size: 700C/28"
- Frame material: Carbon
- Spring travel: 40 mm
- Tyre width (installed / maximum): 45 / 50 mm
- Weight of complete bike: 10.7 kg (size XL)
- Maximum permissible system weight: 130 kg
- Number of bottle cage holders: 3
- Compatible with front derailleur: yes
- Special features: frame storage compartment, suspension fork, dropper post, mount for mudguard, online configurator
The video presentation of the gravel bike from Propain
By the way, we've already been able to test the Propain Terrel CF in a setup without a suspension fork. You can watch the test video here:
Fully integrated
Propain answers the question "What does a gravel bike have to be able to do?" succinctly with "Everything!" Thanks to the tried-and-tested online configurator, not only can the look be customised, but a wide range of equipment options can also be selected. Depending on where you tick the boxes, the limits of the area of application shift.
With lightweight wheels and a rigid fork, the Terrel CF aims to be a sporty race bike, but with robust and comfortable attachments it also makes bikepacking adventures possible. The addition of a suspension fork with 40 millimetre travel and a retractable seat post with 75 millimetre adjustment range promise more fun off the beaten track.
The carbon frame with the corresponding mounts for mudguards and a front derailleur allows freedom of choice. The down tube conceals a practical frame storage compartment with two integrated tool bags.
A bag can be firmly attached to the frame triangle and the top tube of the Propain Terrel CF gravel bike. Three bottle cage mounts help against thirst. The rear brake hose runs through the headset into the inside of the frame. Meanwhile, a visit to the workshop reveals a bolt-on T47 bottom bracket and the wireless parts of the Sram AXS family. The fact that the gears and dropper post are controlled wirelessly gives the Terrel CF a tidy look. Chapeau: This is exactly how the aesthetic integration of MTB components works!
Equipment
Propain offers the Terrel CF in five pre-configured equipment variants with or without suspension fork and in five different frame sizes (XS / S / M / L / XL). Almost all parts can be customised in the online configurator. Between 2699 and 5439 euros must be invested for a pre-configured carbon gravel bike. Our test bike bears the model name Propain Terrel CF Trail and is characterised by the following features:
- Gearing: Sram GX AXS Transmission / Apex XPLR AXS, 1 x 12
- Cassette / gear range: Sram GX Transmission 10-52T / 520 %
- Crank / chainring size: Sram Apex 1 / 40T
- Brakes / disc size: Sram Apex AXS HRD / 160/160 mm
- Wheels: DT Swiss G 1800
- Tyres: Continental Terra Trail 700C x 45
- Seatpost / stroke / diameter: Rockshox Reverb XPLR AXS / 27.2 mm
- Cockpit / length / width (upper/lower link): Zipp / 100 mm / 480/545 mm
Data from the BIKE test lab
At BIKE, we go to unprecedented lengths to test bikes. We are the only trade magazine in the world to operate its own test laboratory. The data obtained supports our impressions from the practical test. When it comes to geometry data, we don't just rely on the manufacturer's specifications, but also use the laser measuring device ourselves.
- Complete weight: 10.710 kg (size XL, without pedals)
- Wheel weight: 3974 g (incl. tyres, tubes, cassette, brake discs, thru axles)
- Impeller acceleration: 2662 kg x cm² (the lower the value, the better the acceleration)
Geometry
- Seat tube length real: 575 mm
- Steering angle: 71°
- Seat angle: 73.5°
- Top tube length: 620 mm
- Head tube length: 178 mm
- Chainstay length: 435 mm
- Wheelbase: 1100 mm
- BB drop: -70 mm
- Caster: 75 mm
- Reach: 418 mm
- Reach+: 600 mm
- Stack: 653 mm
- Stack+: 709 mm
- STR: 1.56
- STR+: 1,181
How the Propain Terrel CF rides in practice
"The Terrel CF is big. Better choose a frame size smaller!" Propain warned us when we ordered the test bike. In fact, the seat tube length in size XL is one of the longest in the test field and is only surpassed by Canyon. On the other hand, Propain's reach value is on a par with Pivot and around ten millimetres below Canyon and Santa Cruz.
The Terrel CF also has a generous stack. The values result in a comfortable riding position. The rider sits nicely balanced between sporty and upright in the saddle and finds a comfortable place there for many kilometres. Both the upper and lower handlebar grip position have been a success for Propain.
Clever: To lower the Rockshox Reverb XPLR AXS telescopic seatpost, there is no need for an additional lever on the handlebars. If both shift levers are pressed simultaneously, the dropper post can be extended or retracted. This makes handling much more fun than the cable-operated model on the Marin gravel bike.
Thanks to its wide gear range, suspension fork and grippy tyres, the Terrel is a good choice for touring in the Alps in particular. However, at over eleven kilos ready to ride, the Propain is one of the heavier representatives of carbon gravel bikes. With a suspension fork, dropper post and parts from the Sram Apex family, such as the aluminium cranks, this is hardly surprising.
The simple DT Swiss wheels with inner tubes are also a little chunky and accelerate more hesitantly than their carbon counterparts in the Alutech Punk. Overall, the Terrel lags somewhat behind sportier gravel bikes on tarmac and fine gravel.
Since Propain, as a direct-to-consumer brand, installs the top Rockshox Rudy XPLR Ultimate suspension fork, there is a lockout lever on the right fork crown. Once it is folded down, the softener stops bobbing even when pedalling. In hectic (racing) situations, the grip on the fork crown is not ideal. Nevertheless, a clear advantage over the competition from Santa Cruz.
If there are large stones and roots in the ground, the Propain gravel bike's additional equipment comes into its own. Thanks to the higher-quality damping unit in the suspension fork, the Terrel CF glides through the terrain a little more smoothly than the Stigmata from Santa Cruz.
In the terrain where most riders will be riding a bike with a drop bar, the 40 millimetres of travel are absolutely sufficient. Despite the high air pressure, the Rudy XPLR Ultimate is pleasantly sensitive and impresses on edges with its controlled progression. Thanks to the Sram GX Transmission gear set-up, counter-climbs can easily be pushed away under load.
The Sram Reverb XPLR AXS dropper post also has an ace up its sleeve: When lowered just a little, it yields slightly under pressure, increasing comfort and control on technical trail climbs. In practice, these types of climbs on a gravel bike are rather rare and short, so the feature is "nice to have" but not a "game changer".
Unfortunately, the Terrel with its long, high top tube is not exactly easy to handle. If you want to venture into mountain bike terrain with the gravel bike, you should at least click on a shorter stem in the configurator. Especially with a long seat tube, the dropper post is worth its weight in gold on steep downhills and is an absolute USP. Unfortunately, the model on our test bike had a slight lateral play and was noticeable in the upright position with a quiet rattling noise.
The Santa Cruz has a longer front triangle and a full two degrees slacker head angle, making it even safer on the descents, but it has to make do with a rigid seatpost. Meanwhile, the power of the Sram Apex Brakes on the Propain on long, steep descents.
Conclusion
The way Propain mixes cost, spec and trail features on the Terrel CF is impressive. For gravel bikers who sometimes turn into a carpet of roots, it is bursting with selling points. The all-terrain Terrel has to make compromises when it comes to sporty performance. Less weight and more propulsive qualities are only available at a higher price with this level of detail. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Pro
- Aesthetic integration of suspension fork and Vario seatpost
- Reserves from the fork, seatpost and geometry save energy off-road
- Online configurator
- Attractive price
Contra
- No lightweight in this configuration
- not very handy
Jan Timmermann
Editor
