RONDO has unveiled its rather futuristic-looking RATT all-road bicycle in two spec options created close to 650b wheels. Like previous RONDO bikes, this one functions a variable TwinTip axle which can lessen the front wheel offset in purchase to far better fit off-street driving. There’s also the choice to use 700c wheels with up to 38mm tyres, and comprehensive front and rear mudguard mounts further more incorporate to the bike’s versatility.
The RATT will be offered from summer season 2022 in two spec solutions, with the major-of-the-variety RATT CF1 costing £4,299.99, or the RATT CF2 priced at £3,399.99. RONDO states that in both circumstance, the RATT brings together the velocity of a classic road bike with the all-road character of a modern-day gravel bicycle.
To reach this, RONDO has at the time once again employed what quite a few of us would contact a ‘flip chip’ in the entrance fork to change the entrance wheel’s position relative to the rest of the bicycle. The tech seems pretty equivalent to what we saw in Rondo’s HVRT bike that we reviewed past 12 months. The position can be improved in approximately five minutes, so is not a substantial job.
> Review: RONDO HVRT CF1
Switching to the LO situation decreases the offset by 10mm, earning the trail for a longer period, the head tube angle flatter and the bike’s geometry extra like a regular gravel bicycle. Meanwhile, the Hello posture cuts down the currently really little trail determine and steepens the head tube angle which RONDO says compensates for the sluggishness of the wider tyres ensuing in “the perfect blend of race-like higher agility, a immediate reaction.”
Like the fork, the body is a totally carbon fibre affair though RONDO has said that the RATT vary will be expanded in 2023. We count on that to involve a more affordable aluminium selection.
The body has a reported bodyweight of 1,000g in a sizing medium, which is rather aggressive, and like several of the new releases it features dropped chainstays and passive suspension.
RONDO says that the strategic positioning of various carbon fibre structures has created passive suspension zones at the dropout, the decrease aspect of the seat tube and the rear portion of the top rated tube, although the rest of the frame retains the necessary stiffness of class, we will have to critique the bicycle in full to operate out just how significantly convenience the passive suspension offers.
While there hasn’t been significantly point out of wind-dishonest characteristics, some of the tube styles surely look to have been motivated by aerodynamics, in certain, the kammback design of the downtube which is reminiscent of the 3T Exploro.
> Review: 3T Exploro Pro GRX
The frame accommodates a conventional 27.2mm seat submit, and we have also seen a small rubber grommet on the right of the head tube, which is seemingly to run a entrance dynamo headlight cable.
To assistance the RATT be as adaptable as possible the frame is outfitted with a mount for a front mech, which is not normally the case with gravel bikes these times. As a consequence, the bike can be equipped with a 2x groupset. In the circumstance of the CF1 that groupset is Shimano GRX RX800, whilst the CF2 design caters to a lessen price issue with Shimano GRX RX400.
There’s also a change in wheels, with the CF1 coming with RONDO X HUNT 650B wheels while the CF2 receives its very own model Rondo Lit wheels. Each bikes come as conventional with 47mm Vittoria Terreno Zero tyres equipped to the 650b rims.
Gravel bikes have been no exception to manufacturers’ vendetta versus visible cables, so it is minimal surprise that the RATT has a absolutely integrated cockpit for that oh so thoroughly clean seem.
The RATT will get the normal bottle cage bolts on the seat tube and downtube within the principal triangle but there is no sign of any fork mounts, bento box mounts or downtube mounts for a third bottle. We have even so been certain that the RATT will get the required mounts for total mudguards, which does make it much more appealing for winter season and commuting use.
The RATT gets an EVO 386 with HTII adapter which we’ve noticed applied a great deal of occasions in the gravel sector prior to, for instance, on the Specialised Diverge.
> Overview: Specialised S Is effective Diverge 2018
Selling prices
Designs will be out there from summer time 2022, with the RONDO RATT CF1 costing £4,299.99 and the RONDO RATT CF environment you back £3,399.99.
The RATT certainly talks the converse, and we have asked for one to review to see if it can stroll the wander as properly. Keep tuned.