Monster Gravel: New gravel bike from Basic Bikes for more than just gravel

Where the fun ends with a gravel bike, it only begins with the Monster Gravel from Basic Bikes. It is based on a carbon MTB frame that accommodates a 29er wheelset with an internal width of 30 millimetres, which is a good size for wide tyres. MTB frame, MTB wheels - is this a mountain bike? Yes, Basic Bikes has given the open-mould frame a rigid fork and dropbar handlebars. The young brand from Berlin sees the bike as the ideal companion for adventure tours or even adventure races such as the Atlas Mountain Race.

The MTB geometry with a slack steering angle (68.5 degrees) compared to conventional gravel bikes, a long wheelbase and long chainstays promises smooth and stable handling. And that is exactly what you want to achieve with this adventure bike. The large flare of the handlebars provides additional control, while wide tyres provide grip and comfort.

Who is Basic Bikes?

Speaking of the Atlas Mountain Race. This is where the idea for Basic Bikes was born in 2020. Jost, one of the two founders of Basic Bikes Berlin, at the start of the Atlas Mountain Race, which covered 1150 kilometres and 20,000 metres in altitude. And it was there, or rather in preparation for the race, that the idea for BASIC Bikes was born. Jost was looking for a simple MTB frame that was also affordable. In the end it was an open mould frame. A frame that is built in a mould that does not belong exclusively to one bike brand.

Hendrik, co-founder of the company, was also enthusiastic about the idea. This is how Basic Bikes was born - "A bicycle brand that concentrates on the essentials and leaves out everything that is complex and expensive. No additional damping/aero elements, no self-developed design - but full focus on good quality assurance of the open mould frames and good service." Hendrik describes the approach. This includes solid standards such as BSA bottom brackets, a round seat post and a tapered head tube as standard. The result: lightweight, fast carbon bikes and components without frills - at an attractive price.

Basic Design

The frame decor was developed together with Reflective from Berlin. As the name suggests, the stickers are reflective.

Facts about the Basic Bikes Monster Gravel

• Frame: Basic MTB carbon frame, 29", Boost
• Wheelset: Basic carbon wheelset, 30 mm rim width, tubeless, hookless, asymmetrically spoked
• Fork: Basic MTB carbon fork, with eyelets, Boost
• Tyres: Kenda Booster, 2.2", tanwall
• Brakes: Hope RX 4, Post Mount
• Brake/shift lever: SRAM Apex, mech.
• Rear derailleur: Sram Apex Eagle
• Brake discs: BASIC, 160 mm
• Cassette: Sram NX Eagle, 11-50 T
• Crank: Sram NX, 32 T
• Stem: Vecnum FreeQence, 90 mm
• Handlebars: Basic Carbon Gravelbar, Flare 30°
• Seatpost: Basic Carbon, 30.9 mm
• Saddle: Basic Carbon

And what does the fun cost?

The Monster is available from Basic Bikes as a custom build, the version shown costs 3980 euros and weighs around 9 kilos with pedals. Lighter bodies and alternative components are possible, as are additional accessories such as fork cages.