GT

Grade Carbon 105 Complete Road Bike - 2016

Endurance frames are having a moment. We seem to be seeing more and more of these versatile builds with their relaxed geometry and a go-anywhere capabilities every day on the roads, and for good reason. Namely, the pro bikes that we've been stuffing ourselves onto for years serve a very different purpose than riders like many of us need. Plus, the whole gravel adventure thing afforded by a rugged geometry is a blast. With its mountain heritage, GT knows a thing or two about adding ruggedness to a road frame, and its Grade line features an endurance build for every budget. The Grade Carbon 105 Complete Road Bike feels like a responsive race frame but with a more laid-back geometry, the sexy new 105-equivalent hydraulic shift levers, and the same Stan's NoTubes rims as its award-winning sibling, the Grade Ultegra.

GT shapes the Grade Carbon 105 frame and fork using carbon that's reinforced with a glass matrix for equal parts vibration-damping and stiffness to reduce fatigue and wasted watts over long rides. The hallmark of endurance frames, and a major reason for their of-the-moment appeal, is their relaxed geometry. It's perfect for riding a fondo or heading out on a leisurely spin to soak in scenery, but it's still able to keep up in a road race or competitive group ride. The Grade Carbon 105 fits this description aptly, and it also features a slightly more compact rear triangle than other similar frames. that compactness is owed to GT's Triple Triangle, which is designed to add stiffness and rigidity to the frame using tighter angles and reinforced seatstays.

As for the impressive build kit mentioned earlier, GT specs the Grade Carbon 105 with a mix of componentry rarely found on complete bike builds. Except for the 105-in-all-but-name shift levers, the drivetrain is full Shimano 105 — cassette, derailleurs, even cranks — which promises smooth, consistent shifting and reliability that rivals pricier groupsets. Whether you take the Grade Carbon 105 onto gravel bike paths or ride on wet, rainy roads, you won't have a problem achieving reliable stopping power with Shimano's R785 hydraulic disc brakes and levers and 160mm IceTech rotors. When combined with Stan's No Tubes Grail Disc rims wrapped in Continental Grand Sport Race tires, you get a bike that confidently occupies its place in the adventure road category.