Gravel bikes have taken the market by storm and proven they're more than just a curiosity. They offer a unique blend of versatility and comfort, allowing you to ride not only on paved roads but also on unpaved trails. We invite you to read on!
Steel gravel custom – unique style and riding comfort
A gravel bike is ideal for long distances, combining comfort with a dynamic road bike feel. Its versatility also makes it a great choice for a "do-it-all" bike. There's also no distinction between men's and women's bikes. Equipped with wheels and tires similar to those found on mountain bikes, a gravel bike can tackle rockier gravel roads or even steep forest paths. Paired with a set of road wheels, it transforms into a road bike, allowing for better airflow. It's agile and dynamic in the city, yet effortless over long distances. A gravel bike equipped with racks can carry everything a cyclist needs, even in extreme conditions. A gravel bike is the perfect tool for those who want to combine their cycling passion with an active lifestyle and explore challenging terrain. Thanks to its versatility, a gravel bike can meet the needs of both experienced cyclists and beginner enthusiasts, ensuring comfort and reliability in all conditions. Check out the independent tests of our bike – in the description ( https://b-bike.pl/gravel-antymateria-testujemy-polskiego-gravela/ ) and video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oy0TrYY1BC4 ).
Gravel bikes vs. road bikes, cyclocross bikes vs. mountain bikes – what are the differences?
A gravel bike stands out not only for its versatility but also for its exceptional adaptability to various terrain. For cyclists seeking the ability to travel both paved roads and more challenging off-road trails, a gravel bike is the ideal solution. Compared to road bikes, gravel bikes offer greater stability and confidence on rough roads. For many cyclists, breaking the monotony of paved roads and discovering new routes on a gravel bike is a true adventure. Gravel bikes allow for freedom of movement on a variety of surfaces, making them ideal for both city rides and off-road expeditions. A gravel bike can also be an excellent alternative to a cyclocross bike, offering similar off-road capabilities but with greater comfort on longer rides. For cyclists seeking exceptional comfort and versatility, a gravel bike is the perfect blend of road and mountain bike features. Additionally, gravel bikes are often more durable and robust than road bikes, making them an ideal choice for those who prefer an active lifestyle and long trips off the beaten track. Equipped with racks and the ability to mount a variety of equipment, gravel bikes offer the rider unlimited travel and exploration options. Compared to cyclocross bikes, gravel bikes offer greater versatility and flexibility, allowing for riding on both paved and more challenging terrain without sacrificing comfort. It's also worth noting that gravel bikes are often lighter and more dynamic than mountain bikes, making them an ideal choice for those who value speed and ease of maneuverability.
Steel gravel custom Antymateria – a reliable gravel bike with a steel frame and carbon fork
Our steel gravel bike is a carefully designed new construction based on a unique combination of a steel frame (cromoly, butted tubing) and a carbon fork. We intentionally avoid using aluminum in our designs, as aluminum, despite its advantages (stiffness and lightness), doesn't provide the same level of riding comfort, but is also much more environmentally harmful during the production process. We chose these materials because we believe steel best suits the concept of a gravel bike. Steel absorbs bumps and provides a unique ride comfort, while the carbon used in the fork provides more reliable traction for the front wheel. The result is a versatile bike that any rider can comfortably tackle a variety of terrain—not just pavement but also off-road. Cornering stability is ensured by the use of a thru-axle (both wheels) and a tapered head tube. Wide, treaded tires (up to 42c) provide additional grip. By choosing a single-speed drivetrain and a fenderless configuration, you can also fit wider tires – up to 48 mm (!), which dramatically increases off-road capabilities, including when riding in mud or forest terrain.
Steel gravel bike – specifications and geometry
Technical specifications of the custom steel gravel bike:
- weight – approx. 12 kg;
- frame – Antimatter Gravel (double butted cro-moly steel tubes);
- fork – Antimatter Gravel Carbon with aluminum steerer tube;
- headset – Accent integrated and tapered;
- hubs – Antimatter Gravel on machine bearings;
- spokes – Pillar;
- hoops – Antimatter;
- tires – Continental Speed Ride 42;
- bottom bracket – Shimano BB-RS500;
- pedals – Author Slim;
- crank – Shimano Sora FC-R3000;
- cassette – Shimano CS-HG50;
- chain – Shimano CN-HG53;
- front derailleur – Shimano Sora FD-R3000 2s;
- rear derailleur – Shimano Sora RD-R3000 9s;
- levers – Shimano Sora SR-R3000;
- seatpost – Antimatter;
- saddle – PRO PLT;
- bridge – PRO PLT;
- steering wheel – PRO PLT;
- wrapper – Antimatter;
- brakes – Shimano BR-R317;
- discs – Shimano RT-54;
- cables and housings – Shimano.
We build gravel bikes to order, so we can choose all the parts according to the customer's wishes!
Steel gravel frame geometry:
| Frame size (cm) | 51 | 54 | 57 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AND | Seat tube (mm) | 510 | 540 | 570 |
| B | Horizontal pipe (effective) (mm) | 541 | 558 | 575 |
| C | Head tube (mm) | 110 | 131 | 149 |
| D | Chainstay (mm) | 430 | 430 | 430 |
| E | Wheel base (mm) | 1009 | 1022 | 1029 |
| F | Fork trail (mm) | 45 | 45 | 45 |
| α | Head tube angle (mm) | 70.5° | 71° | 72° |
| β | Seat tube angle (mm) | 72.5° | 72.5° | 72.5° |
Gravel bikes equipped with wide Continental tires – a guarantee of stability and grip when driving in difficult terrain
Our steel gravel bike is equipped with Continental Speed Ride 42 tires, which impress with their versatility and performance on both paved roads and more challenging terrain. These tires also boast low rolling resistance, good grip, and durability. The 42mm width provides additional comfort for the rider, absorbing any uneven terrain.
Steel gravel – how is it produced?
The production process of a gravel bike made to order at the Antymateria store consists of several stages:
- defining the customer’s needs – creating an accurate bicycle specification (for example, selecting the frame size or appropriate accessories and components);
- powder coating of the frame (sometimes also other elements) – first the frame is sandblasted, then it is covered with powder, and finally it is put in an oven to harden the paint;
- assembling a bicycle (including manual lacing of the wheels);
- testing the bike before handing it over to the customer;
- handing over the bike – carefully setting it up for the user, providing all the most important information on proper use and care, so that the customer can enjoy a functional bike for as long as possible.
Gravel bike accessories – drivetrain, drop handlebar or straight handlebar
The basic version of our steel gravel bike is powered by a Shimano Sora drivetrain. However, you can choose other components, specifically:
- Shimano Sora – a basic yet reliable R3000 groupset in a 2x9 configuration; it includes derailleurs, crankset, cassette, chain and shifters, and the whole thing is complemented by Shimano BR-R317 mechanical brakes and RT-54 discs; it is suitable equipment for everyday riding and expeditions;
- Shimano Tiagra – a full R4700 groupset (shifters, crank, cassette, chain and derailleurs); one more gear, improved gear smoothness and faster shifting; plus better RT-66 disc brakes – recommended for those who value precision and excellent value for money;
- Shimano Tiagra Hydraulic – all the advantages of a 10-speed drivetrain supplemented by Shimano BR-RS785 hydraulic brakes; distinguished by significantly better braking modulation and road feel; reliable operation in all conditions, even when very dirty;
- Shimano GRX 1×11 – one chainring up front is the power of simplicity, comfort and reliability; the Shimano GRX RX810 is a groupset designed with gravel bikes in mind and you can definitely feel it; add BR-RS785 hydraulic brakes and RT-86 discs and you get an excellent expedition machine;
- Shimano GRX 2×11 – recommended for those who can't part with a front derailleur and want a wide range of gears; it's perfect for both steep climbs and group rides; it also allows for lightning-fast downshifts;
- Shimano GRX 2×10 – this is the budget version of the Shimano drivetrain designed for gravel; one gear less, but still reliable in all conditions and resistant to rough treatment; and braking is taken care of by RT-66 discs.
Upon request, we can install any drivetrain and components to best suit your needs. The bike can be equipped with drop handlebars or straight handlebars.
Luggage rack – a bicycle accessory for a two-wheeler
All cables on our gravel bike are routed internally, reducing the risk of failure and ensuring easier maintenance. Our proprietary steel frames allow for the installation of disc brakes. Multiple mounting points allow for the addition of a rear or front rack, which we also offer:
- Tubus Tara Lowrider front rack – the best way to mount panniers at the front (15 kg load capacity and 30-year warranty);
- Tubus Fly Classic rear rack – offers 18 kg load capacity from the world's top rack manufacturer, perfect for saddlebags and custom builds;
- SKS Edge mudguards – these are full mudguards from a renowned German manufacturer, distinguished by their elegant assembly and maximum tire width of 42 mm;
- SKS Speedrocker mudguards – wide and more built-in mudguards designed for off-road riding, they accommodate tires up to 42 mm wide.
Wide selection of steel gravel bikes – various sizes and colors
At Antymateria, gravel bikes are available in a variety of sizes, allowing everyone to find the perfect size for their height. We offer the following sizes:
- size S: 51 – it is the smallest in the range, we recommend it to people with a height of approximately 160-170 cm;
- size M: 54 – this is an average size intended for people between 168 and 181 cm tall;
- size L: 57 – has the largest frame, it is suitable for people over 182 cm tall.
When purchasing gravel from us, you can choose from one of the available colors: blue, black, red, white, green, orange, yellow, gray, purple, pink, turquoise, aquamarine, navy blue or brown.
Why is it worth buying a gravel bike at Antymateria?
We build all our bikes with attention to every detail. We strive to provide our customers with bikes of the highest quality and reliability, ensuring an unforgettable experience. We assemble our bikes from scratch according to the customer's specifications. This description presents only the most popular drivetrain and accessory options, as well as standard equipment. We offer a wide selection of parts and groupsets, allowing you to use those not listed. We discuss the exact specifications with the customer at the time of ordering, along with a specific price. We offer a 2-year warranty on every bike purchased from us (subject to a free initial inspection approximately two weeks after purchase).
If you want to order a bike today, call us at 601 296 388 or write to sklep@antymateria.com.
We invite you to visit our stationary points: Warszawa Zdziechowskiego, Warszawa Skolimowska, Wrocław Polak, where everyone can try on and test a bike and, with our help, design their dream gravel bike.
We also encourage you to check out our other bikes, including models such as: khaki green single speed, vintage single speed in bottle green.
