Prova is a name well known to connoisseurs for some of the finest titanium gravel bikes in the world. This small brand from Melbourne, Australia, specialises in frames and complete bikes made from the lightweight metal titanium. Unlike other frame builders, however, Prova does not simply join tube to tube; it has also specialised in 3D-printed titanium components. This gives Prova bikes, such as the Mostro gravel bike, an organic look and a very special touch.
The Prova Mostro Pinion in detail
- Intended use: gravel bike
- Tyre clearance: 700 x 50 mm / 650B x 2.1”
- Frame material: titanium
- Frame weight: from 1500 g excluding the drivetrain
- Price: N/A
- Special features: Custom tube set and geometry, 3D-printed titanium parts
When a passion turns into experience and a business
Mark Hester founded Prova in 2015, having already established a successful career as a mechanical engineer in the motorsport and automotive industries. His passion for technology was practically in his blood from birth: Even as a child, he spent a great deal of time in his father’s workshop, where his father built bespoke racing cars. As part of his final-year project, Mark designed and manufactured a Formula racing car chassis with a carbon-fibre monocoque – the first structure of its kind in Australia to be cured in an autoclave. The experience he gained in the field of fibre-reinforced composites led to him joining Prodrive Racing Australia straight after graduating. Working alongside highly qualified manufacturing specialists and machinists had a particularly formative influence on him. Mark then spent eight years developing chassis and control systems for some of the world’s leading automotive engineering companies. During this time, he travelled internationally and tested vehicles under the most extreme conditions.
Cycling has always played an important role in Mark’s life. His upbringing in the Adelaide Hills provided the ideal setting for long rides and adventures on his bike. What began with an inexpensive hardtail mountain bike quickly developed into an extensive collection of bicycles. This was followed by years of cross-country and enduro racing. Among the highlights of his active racing career were appearances in several rounds of the Enduro World Series. In 2020, Mark’s sister Kelly joined the company. After her career as a chef was abruptly cut short by the global pandemic, she moved to Prova. Initially, she was responsible for the production of carbon seat tubes. Her remit now encompasses numerous manufacturing processes, as well as the management and further development of the company’s Kanban systems. Prova is a passionate family-run business.
The gravel bike as a means of escape
For Prova, the Mostra gravel bike is the ideal set of wheels for escaping the city and its busy roads. Paired with a carbon rigid fork featuring luggage mounts from carbon specialist Enve, the titanium frame creates a lightweight, robust chassis for riding off the beaten track. A 3D-printed chainstay yoke creates space for gravel tyres up to 50 millimetres wide. The dropouts are also 3D-printed and made entirely of titanium. For set-ups with derailleur gears, Prova has designed a horizontal dropout, which allows the drivetrain to be tensioned. The 3D-printed parts are created by precisely fusing titanium powder according to the developers’ exact specifications. They are then meticulously finished by hand to give them a glossy finish.
Every Prova Mostra is a bespoke creation. The frame is built to order and made to measure in-house. Customers can specify every detail themselves, from the geometry and finish to the logo placement and assembly. However, Prova deliberately gives the Mostra a modern geometric design, featuring a long main frame and short cockpit lengths. Combined with the low-maintenance Pinion gearbox, this creates a unique titanium gravel bike that is designed to be particularly reliable and smooth-running both off-road and on extended bikepacking adventures. Accordingly, the show bike is fitted with a dropper post and carbon wheels from the MTB range. Prices are available on request only. Demand is high: prospective buyers should allow for a lead time of between eight and ten months for a Prova Mostra.
Conclusion
In my opinion, Prova builds some of the most exciting bikes in the world. As a tech nerd, the 3D-printed titanium parts really make my heart melt and are a wonderful unique selling point. The Mostra Pinion is a tribute to system integration. Rarely has a gear system been integrated into a gravel bike so aesthetically. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
What do you think: what makes a really great gravel bike for you? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Jan Timmermann
Editor
