Titanium gravel bikes on test: The Poison Meskalin Titan Gravel - a sports bike for everyday use
Jens Klötzer
· 31.03.2024
The Poison brand has been a pioneer in modular bikes since the 1990s. It focuses on simple but solid and affordable bikes with individually selectable equipment and desired colours. With the Meskalin titanium gravel bike, the question of colour choice is superfluous, but we will come to the modular options later. The gravel bike is one of the few in the portfolio that has racing handlebars. It presents itself with a classic design language, characterised by an almost horizontal top tube and seat stays set high up, which sets it apart from modern frame geometries.
Poison Meskalin Titan Gravel: Sporty gravel bike for everyday use
Poison also relies on traditional, tried-and-tested technology for its construction. A bottom bracket with BSA thread, a clamped Ahead stem with aluminium handlebars and external cables running in front of the head tube are reminiscent of the road bike design of years gone by. Despite the rather sporty riding position, the bike is mainly aimed at commuters and cycle travellers. Suitability for everyday use is the main focus here, which is why there are luggage rack eyelets and mounts for mudguards. However, the latter are only available in combination with wider road tyres, and there is even a stable mount for a kickstand.
Although it lacks the usual options for modern bikepacking systems on the top tube or fork, with a maximum tyre width of 42 millimetres, the bike does not meet the requirements for difficult terrain anyway. It feels much more comfortable on the road and on paved paths. The handling is relatively manoeuvrable for this orientation. The fact that the bike is a little "bumpy" off-road is probably due to several factors, including the aluminium seat post with little extension and hard aluminium handlebars. The rather narrow tyres are fitted with inner tubes; they roll well on the road and on hard surfaces, but don't get any smoother even with very little pressure. If they were fitted tubeless, they would adapt a little better to the piste.
Lots of accessories, but few wheels
The special gravel component group from Campagnolo, Ekar with 13 gears, offers sufficient range and a comfortable gradation. Our test bike, which weighs 9.5 kilograms, should therefore be close to the lightest build variant. Alternatively, there are various Shimano GRX options, and the base price of the bike is 4150 euros. The wheel options in the configurator are particularly limited, as only three classic aluminium rims and the spokes with which the wheels are built can be selected. On the other hand, a complete touring bike configuration can be put together, including lowrider luggage racks and a complete lighting system.
Facts and figures about the Poison Mescaline Titan Gravel
- Test grade: 2,4
- Price: 5300 Euro
- Weight of complete wheel: 9.5 kilos
- Frame sizes: 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61 (test size greased)
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 585/590/171 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 599/404 millimetres/1.48
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 658/566 millimetres/1.16
- Wheelbase/caster: 1090/77 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Campagnolo Ekar (1x13; 40, 10-44 t.) | Grade: 2.0
- Brakes: Campagnolo Ekar (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Tyres: Continental Terra Speed TR 40 mm (eff.: 41 mm) | Grade: 1.0
- Impellers: DT Swiss GR 531/Novatec
- Impeller weights: 1673/2255 grams (front/rear)
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Maintenance-friendly design, equipment suitable for everyday use available in the configurator
- Minus: Few wheel options, limited warranty
More titanium gravel bikes from our test:
Jens Klötzer
Editor
