Ten years of Aero-Gravel: 3T celebrates its Exploro with a stylish anniversary edition

​Ten years ago, the long-established Italian brand 3T invented the aero gravel bike. To mark the anniversary, there is no completely new model, but rather a design masterpiece based on the Primo²: a visual journey through a decade of cycling history.

​Editor’s conclusion

With the Primo² WPNT 10th Anniversary, 3T demonstrates its appreciation for tradition and its commitment to the brand’s fans. Rather than rushing a – potentially – short-lived new frame model onto the market, the Presezzo-based manufacturer is honouring a landmark design that has revolutionised the gravel segment for the long term. The bike is a visual statement for enthusiasts – brimming with history, without compromising on modern performance.

​When 3T unveiled the original Exploro in 2016, many in the cycling industry rubbed their eyes in amazement. A gravel bike with deep aero profiles, a unidirectional carbon frame and uncompromising geometry designed for real speed on both tarmac and off-road – who was it meant for? That was soon to become clear. What was dismissed by some at the time as a niche product went on to establish an entirely new category: the aero gravel bike. Now the Bergamo-based brand is celebrating the tenth anniversary of this cycling icon – not with a new model, but with a special edition: the Primo² WPNT 10th Anniversary.

Evolution rather than reinvention

Anyone who, when Primo² WPNT 10th Anniversary Anyone expecting a revolutionary new frame design may be disappointed – or perhaps not. 3T’s philosophy has always been that a truly good design is never finished, but nor does it require a forced fresh start every two years. Instead, it calls for continuous refinement and innovation in the details.

Following its debut in 2016, the FM version (Flat Mount: disc brakes mounted directly onto the frame) was launched in 2018, featuring the sleeker Fango-fork and clever improvements to the saddle clamp and thru-axles. Over the years, the Exploro has outgrown its original role: it has become a reliable workhorse for bikepacking, helped numerous riders to victory in extreme races, and found a new following as an all-road and urban commuter bike.

In 2022, 3T renamed the model range ‘Primo’ – as a tribute to the ‘first’ bike in this class. The latest evolution in 2026 ultimately resulted in the Primo², which is the most versatile model in the range.

“Here, the frame becomes the canvas: layers of logos, colour codes and original photocopies of development files spanning ten years merge to form a unique total work of art.”

The framework as a canvas: the WPNT concept

The abbreviation WPNT sums up what makes this anniversary edition so special. The frame design draws on the traditional 3T project “"Get Creative!" which was launched by Giorgio Dalla Costa in 2018. At that time, Exploro frames were entrusted for the first time to artists and designers – including legends such as Dario Pegoretti, Ross Piper and Ennio Sitta – who interpreted the bicycle as a means of artistic expression.

The 10th Anniversary Edition features a chalk-white gloss finish as its base. Superimposed on this are visual elements, splashes of colour, logos and graphic motifs that defined the Exploro between 2016 and 2026. The real highlight: on closer inspection, you’ll discover razor-sharp reproductions on the frame of original working notes, photocopies from the development archives, colour codes and technical data sheets that were actually used during the bike’s design over the past ten years.

Modern technology with a retro twist

Despite its nostalgic nod to its own history, the technology in this special edition is state-of-the-art:

• Frame & Standard: The carbon frame, hand-painted in Italy, utilises a high-modulus/high-strength performance lay-up and complies with the modern UDH standard.
• Drive: For the complete bike setup, 3T has opted for the new SRAM Rival XPLR AXS E1 1×13-speed drivetrain, combined with a 10–46T cassette and a 40-tooth chainring.
• Wheels & Cockpit: Combined with the in-house 3T Discus 40/30 wheels, Vittoria Terreno T50 Endurance tyres (40 mm) and the ergonomic 3T Superghiaia Integrale carbon handlebars, this bike offers an uncompromising performance package.

Technical Specifications at a Glance