Ten years ago, when gravel riding was first taking off in Europe, riders tended to stick to smoother, wider off-road trails. Now though, with the introduction of better technology, an influx of riders coming from a mountain biking background and the never-ending search for the “new best thing” a growing number of gravel riders are looking for more adventure in their away-from-the-road rides. Timo Rokitta decided this was a good excuse for some bike building experimentation and the result is a fantastic looking monster gravel bike. Will it ride as well as it looks? Read on to find out….

Is cross country riding the new gravel? In Europe, there seems to be ever more crossover between the old (xc mtb) and the new (gravel). Gravel as a concept has never been clearly defined, always open to interpretation and now it’s gradually shifting more into pure off-road and mountain biking territory. At the outset, I’d like to illustrate how, in my view, the "gravel scene" and many of its most interesting events are evolving more and more into pure off-road riding, where the unique strengths of a classic gravel bike are often less relevant. These demands, at their core, are simply better met by an already established bike category: the XC or marathon mountain bike.

Of course, there’s a niche market for drop-bar 29ers. But where the fun with a standard gravel bike might end, the enjoyment with a "monster gravel bike" is just getting started - perfect when you want more than just smooth, "Gucci gravel." Originally, my trusty old OPEN hardtail was intended as a winter bike. The starting foundation was promising - weighing only 9.3 kg, it was equipped with a full Shimano XT group, which saw me faithfully through the dark, cold months. Together with a RockShox suspension fork, it offered comfort that spared my wrists, especially in rough terrain.

Thanks to the compatibility of Shimano components, the conversion was relatively straightforward. Only the handlebars, shift levers and rear derailleur needed swapping. Naturally, I used tried-and-true Shimano GRX parts, whose reliability speaks for itself. With a 32-tooth chainring paired with a 42-tooth cassette, the bike achieves an extreme gear ratio - as if designed to conquer the steep “Eigernordwand” in Switzerland. 

The monster gravel bike rides on 29-inch wheels, fitted with fast Continental Race King tyres, 2.2 inches wide. For added control on narrow trails, I installed a 46 cm wide carbon handlebar that flares outward at the bottom. This setup invites you to leave gravel paths behind and venture onto real trails.

The idea was to create a travel-ready, comfortable bike that combines the stability and smoothness of a gravel bike with the ability to handle long-distance bikepacking adventures. But how does this monster gravel bike actually ride? At first, the acceleration feels a bit slower than with race-oriented gravel bikes. This isn’t surprising, considering the 10 kg overall weight and large wheels. However, once it’s moving, it rolls astonishingly effortlessly. In turns, it’s more stable than gravel bikes with 650b tyres, barely disturbed by rough terrain.

The biggest advantage of the monster gravel bike is its couch-like comfort. The suspension fork and wide 55 mm tires, inflated to just under 2 bar (30 psi), deliver a surprisingly smooth ride. Bringing this bike to a standstill is easy - the Shimano brakes (180 mm in front, 160 mm in the rear) slow it down so powerfully that it feels as if someone has dropped an anchor.

The attributes of comfort and grippy, reliable tyres make the monster gravel bike an ideal choice for bikepacking. So, who would a monster gravel bike be perfect for? I’d say it’s ideal for anyone seeking a particularly robust, comfortable and off-road-ready gravel bike who isn’t overly concerned with maximum efficiency on asphalt. Ultimately, whether this gravel bike concept is for you is something only you can decide. But based on my experience, I’d encourage you to think outside the box - it’s worth it!

Specs of the OPEN Monster Gravel Bike

• Frame: OPEN O-1.0 MTB carbon frame, 29”
• Wheelset: Shimano XT tubeless
• Fork: RockShox Reba 80 mm suspension
• Tires: Continental Race King Protection 29 x 2.2 tanwall
• Brakes: Shimano XT
• Brake/Shift Levers: Shimano GRX
• Derailleur: Shimano GRX 1x11
• Brake Rotors: Shimano XT 180/160 mm
• Cassette: Shimano XT 11-42 T
• Crankset: Shimano XT 32
• Stem: Snake Carbon
• Bar: Thompson Carbon 46 cm
• Bartape: PRO black
• Seatpost: Snake Carbon 27,2 mm
• Saddle: Snake Carbon
• Weight: 10,0 kg