With the Flaanimal 5.0, the US brand Rodeo Labs now has the fifth evolutionary stage of its versatile gravel and adventure bike in its programme. The frame symbolises the approach of the small forge from Colorado: maximum versatility, technical creativity and a clear focus on real off-road adventures. But what makes the Flaanimal 5.0 so special?
The Rodeo Labs Flaanimal 5.0 is not just any old gravel bike, but a platform for almost any kind of off-road adventure - a sophisticated high-end toy with adventure genes. The mix of steel and carbon, the enormous tyre clearance and the consistent modularity make it a particularly versatile gravel bike that can be used for everyday riding, gravel racing and bikepacking tours alike.
Rodeo Labs Flaanimal 5.0 gravel bike in detail
- Application: Gravel / Bikepacking
- Tyre clearance: 700c x 50 mm / 650b x 2.2-2.4"
- Frame material: steel / carbon
- Fork material: Carbon
- Bottle cage mounts on the frameset: 5
- Frame price: from 1349 USD
- Frame weight: from 2223 g
- Spork 3 fork weight: approx. 600 g
- Maximum rider weight: 113 kg
- Special features: horizontally adjustable dropouts, bolt-on points for luggage, custom paint finish possible
Steel and carbon: an unusual mix of materials
At its core, the Flaanimal remains a classic steel frame - but with a modern twist. Rodeo Labs combines high-quality steel tubes with a carbon head tube and seat tube to save weight and increase rigidity. The carbon tubes required are woven by a specialist in Japan and are designed to be particularly lightweight. This hybrid construction method is still rare in the gravel segment and demonstrates the brand's experimental approach. The aim is to combine the robustness and ride feel of steel with the performance advantages of modern materials. The specially moulded steel seat stays are designed to increase comfort on long rides. All cables are internally routed in the frame. The chassis of the Rodeo Labs Flaanimal 5.0 is manufactured in Taiwan according to one hundred per cent of the manufacturer's specifications. For an additional charge, the customer can choose the colour of the steel tubes.
Maximum versatility as a development goal
Rodeo Labs describes the Flaanimal 5.0 itself as a "multi-use adventure frameset". The platform is consistently designed for adaptability. With these attributes, the Flaanimal can be set up as a fast gravel racer as well as a bikepacking vehicle:
- Compatibility with classic road cranks despite large tyre clearance
- Variable dropouts for different setups (e.g. singlespeed)
- Numerous mounting points for bikepacking equipment
- Screwdriver-friendly bolted T47 bottom bracket
Clever details for great tyre clearance
According to the manufacturer, one of the biggest challenges during development was the combination of wide tyres and the classic bottom bracket standard. The solution: a specially developed yoke design on the chainstay that creates additional space without restricting compatibility with conventional road and gravel cranks. This design allows the enormous tyre clearance of up to 54 millimetres, but also brings additional complexity to the frame design. Complex CNC post-processing also saves weight in this area.
Rodeo Labs Spork 3.0: The right fork for adventure
The frameset includes the in-house Rodeo Labs Spork 3.0 carbon fork, which not only saves weight but also offers impressive functionality. It is compatible with front pannier racks and designed for loads of up to 12.5 kilograms. It is also prepared to take a hub dynamo. This means that the Flaanimal can finally become a serious expedition tool - whether on multi-day tours or ultra-long races.
Racing aspirations included
A look at the real world shows that the Flaanimal 5.0 is not only suitable for adventure, but also for competition: the bike has been used successfully in the legendary ultra-distance race Tour Divide, where it has already won in individual categories. This duality - race performance and expedition suitability - makes the gravel bike from Rodeo Labs particularly exciting.
Modularity and individualisation
Another highlight is the high degree of customisability of the build. From a singlespeed setup to a modern 1x12 drivetrain, numerous configurations are possible. The horizontally adjustable dropouts allow a minimum chainstay length of 415 millimetres. Different wheel sizes and applications can also be realised with just a few adjustments. The variable geometry and modular dropouts emphasise this: The Rodeo Labs Flaanimal 5.0 does not want to be a specialist, but a toolbox on two wheels.
Conclusion
I have a soft spot for brands that go their own way and the special hybrid design of the Rodeo Labs Flaanimal 5.0 frame appeals to the tech nerd in me. Sophisticated steel elements, woven carbon, plenty of tyre clearance and build options: The frame has everything I want from a gravel bike. It's a shame that availability in Europe isn't that easy. - Jan Timmermann, BIKE editor
Jan Timmermann
Editor
