Propain gravel bike: Upside-down world or bang on trend? MTB manufacturer shows gravel bike Terrel CF
Propain from Vogt near Lake Constance is not the first supplier of mountain bikes to include bikes with wide tyres as well as those with racing handlebars in its range. Most recently, there were new gravel bikes from Advanced, Mondraker, Conway, Rocky Mountain and many other MTB specialists. Propain is now, according to its own statement, a little late in joining as another brand.
Facts and figures about the Propain Terrel CF
- Integrated storage compartment in the down tube
- Mounting points for bags, mudguards, pannier rack
- Cable integration
- Equipment variant with suspension fork
- UDH derailleur hanger
- Weight of complete wheel: 8.1 to 10.2 kilograms
- Frame weight: 1090 grams (size M)
- Stack/reach/STR: 583/405 millimetres/1.44 (size M)
- Maximum tyre clearance: 50 millimetres
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Prices: 2599 to 4999 euros
The Propain Terrel CF aims to epitomise the versatility of modern gravel bikes. It is designed to be a fast gravel bike, a bikepacking bike that is easy to travel on and a bouncy trail specialist. Its carbon frame borrows from mountain bikes with its sloping geometry and promises a smooth ride thanks to a flat steering angle of 70.5 degrees and a long wheelbase of 1063 millimetres. The STR ratio of 1.44 indicates a sporty and stretched riding position. For additional comfort, the frame is designed so that it can be fitted with a 40 mm suspension fork instead of the straight fork with bolt-on points.
Propain states that the frame of the Terrel CF is made of high-quality high-modulus carbon fibre and should weigh around 1090 grams in size M. It offers space for tyres up to 50 millimetres wide, although the gravel bike is fitted with narrower tyres as standard. A special feature is a storage compartment in the down tube, which offers enough space for a puncture repair kit in two small bags. There are also plenty of mounting points for panniers, mudguards and a pannier rack. A frame bag, which can be fitted without tools, is available as an option directly from the manufacturer.
Thanks to the round seat post, the clamped handlebars, the T47 threaded bottom bracket and the UDH derailleur hanger, the Propain Terrel CF is easy to maintain and the riding position can be easily adjusted. The control unit consists of two parts and comes from MTB component manufacturer Sixpack Racing. The shift and/or brake cables are routed into the frame under the aluminium stem. Large 180-millimetre brake discs, which are more common on MTBs, ensure that the Propain gravel bike stops quickly even when loaded.
Equipment and price of the Propain gravel bike
The Propain Terrel CF is available in 4 equipment variants: Base and Competition are designed as versatile all-rounders. The Trail model, already equipped with the Rockshox Rudy suspension fork with 40 mm travel and an electronic Rockshox Reverb AXS telescopic seatpost, is already poaching in mountain bike terrain. The Competition model, on the other hand, is ideal for fast rides on pure gravel paths thanks to its low weight (8.1 kg vs. 10.2 kg for the Terrel Trail). Trail and Competition are both equipped with electronic gears. The Propain Terrel can also be customised according to personal preferences using the online configurator. There are a total of 5 frame sizes and 2 colour options to choose from: elegant black - eye-catching orange metallic.
Propain Terrel CF Base
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX (1-speed)
- Impellers: DT Swiss G1800 (aluminium)
- Tyres: Schwalbe G-One Overland
- Fork: Terrel CF (Rigid)
- Seat post: Sixpack Gravel Line CF (Carbon)
- Handlebars: Sixpack Gravel Line AL (aluminium)
- Weight: 9.5 kilogrammes
- Price: 2599 Euro
Propain Terrel CF Adventure
- Drive/gear shift: Shimano GRX (2x)
- Impellers: Newmen G34 Fade (Carbon)
- Tyres: Schwalbe Overland
- Fork: Terrel CF (Rigid)
- Seat post: Sixpack Gravel Line CF (Carbon)
- Handlebars: Sixpack Gravel Line AL (aluminium)
- Weight: 8.8 kilogrammes
- Price: 3199 Euro
Propain Terrel CF Trail
- Drive/gear shift: SRAM Apex/GX AXS
- Impellers: DT Swiss G1800 (aluminium)
- Tyres: Continental Terra Trail
- Fork: Rockshox Rudy (40 mm)
- Seat post: Rockshox Reverb AXS
- Handlebars: Sixpack Gravel Line AL (aluminium)
- Weight: 10.2 kilogrammes
- Price: 4079 Euro
Propain Terrel CF Competition
- Drive/gear shift: Sram Force AXS
- Impellers: DT Swiss GRC1400 (Carbon)
- Tyres: Continental Terra Speed
- Fork: Terrel CF (Rigid)
- Seat post: Sixpack Gravel Line CF (Carbon)
- Handlebars: Sixpack Gravel Line CF (Carbon)
- Weight: 8.1 kilogramme
- Price: 4999 Euro
Julian Schultz
Editor
