3T Racemax Rival AXS 2×12 700

THE RACEMAX IN BRIEF
Whether it’s road or gravel, we love speed. So everything about the RaceMax frame is designed for it. The end result is the first gravel bike that:

- It looks like a road bike

- It handles like a road bike

- It winds through the gravel

Best of all, the RaceMax frameset itself can be built with a focus on pure speed with 35-46mm 700c WAM tires, and can also be transformed into an unstoppable machine with super-wide tires up to 61mm WAM. Handy for that epic ride. or travel abroad. And with two sets of wheels, you can easily switch between configurations. That's RaceMax.

To build the fastest gravel bike possible, you have to start with the tire. Tire choice determines comfort and grip. But it also determines how to shape the frame to redirect airflow.

To aerodynamically design the frame around the tires, you need to know what their REAL size is. Not what's on the label, but how they actually fit. That's REALFAST aerodynamics. But it's not easy, because the tire size depends on the rim you use, the pressure, and of course how accurate the manufacturer's stated size is.

We then took hundreds of measurements to find out the actual tire widths (which we call WAM - Measured Width and RAM - Measured Radius ) and used them to design the frame.

Please note that using a front derailleur (particularly an electronic one) will limit the width of tyres you can fit.

SO WHAT TYRE DO YOU NEED?
The most important dimension is the WAM, as it is directly related to traction, puncture resistance, aerodynamics and rolling resistance. The WAM you need depends on three factors:

Terrain (traction, puncture resistance)
Driver skill (how much grip is needed for control)
Speed ​​of the cyclist (the slower you go, the more you bump/sink into the ground)

The RaceMax frame is fastest with 35-46mm WAM tires. That’s when its top speed rivals the best road bikes out there. So whether you’re riding on pavement, easy gravel, or harder, you can be sure you’ve got the fastest setup. But depending on where you ride and how fast you ride, you may want an even bigger tire for maximum traction and control. Good news: 90% of the RaceMax frame’s aero advantage still works with up to 61mm WAM tires.

In a way, the Ultra is the inverse. It’s aerodynamically optimized for 55-61mm WAM tires thanks to its wider downtube near the front tire. That extra width better redirects air coming off a larger front tire. If you prefer a smaller tire, you can run a 700c tire all the way up to a 46mm WAM. But when you switch to a smaller tire, the Racemax becomes the faster choice again. Plus, the Ultra pairs its aero seat tube with a round seatpost so you can run a standard, dropper, or suspension seatpost.