Italy and a special design of sports vehicles on two wheels – these two things belong inseparably together. At least that’s what common clichés say. The e-Gravel Frontier from the Italian manufacturer Vent certainly has something special about it. Whether you like it is something only you can decide for yourself.
In a row of ten random e-gravel bikes, you will certainly recognise the e-Gravel Frontier right away. Various striking details make sure of that. One of them is a massive strut that runs roughly from the middle of the seat tube to the top tube. Parts of the rear suspension system are guided and stabilised in this. At the same time, this line crosses the shock linkage, which extends forward to the head tube. Seen from the side, this creates several free spaces of different sizes below the top tube. At least to us, this doesn’t seem very balanced. Looking from the outside, we ask ourselves why the intermediate strut and the shock linkage do not meet at the same point on the top tube. Especially since only the intermediate strut is the exact visual continuation of the seat stay of the rear triangle and the yoke leads away from it at an unusual angle.
Vent’s patented TST suspension system
Unconventional geometry
Another eye-catcher is the seat tube, which leans very much to the rear. Unfortunately, no geometry data for the e-Gravel Frontier can be found on Vent’s website. However, if you have to pull the seat post out very far because of your height, you will feel that you are sitting almost above the rear wheel axle. Okay, maybe that’s a bit exaggerated. But given the rather low seat angle, it remains to be seen how good the seating position feels in practice and how efficient the power transmission can be when pedalling.
Active front and rear suspension
From a technical point of view, this e-gravel bike definitely deserves some attention. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that we are talking about a fully suspended example of this type of bike. Integrated into the top tube is Vent’s own development. The damper construction, known as the TST system, is even protected by patent. The resulting suspension travel is estimated to be the same 40 millimetres as the GVX suspension fork from SR Suntour. This means that the bike has active suspension elements for the front and rear wheel, in contrast to the use of frame parts that only provide damping, such as the XCell from the Swiss manufacturer BMC.
e-Gravel Frontier with 40 millimetres of travel in the front
The rear triangle is a supported single-joint. Characteristic of this are its lowered fulcrums. Together with the suspension fork, this makes for an acceptable package for gravel tours, where the action can be a bit rougher.
Sporty drive from FSA
In addition to the elements for riding comfort, the drive system of the e-Gravel Frontier stands out. FSA has already introduced the HM 1.0 in 2020. However, not too many ebikes with this rear hub motor have appeared so far. Therefore, this combination of motor, battery and control unit still enjoys a certain exotic status. Due to its technical key figures, the system is often compared with the X35+ from Mahle.
In fact, both drives are quite similar. With a continuous rated power of 250 watts, the FSA HM 1.0 offers a torque of 42 Newton metres. Five support levels can be selected via a control unit, which in the case of the e-Gravel Frontier is installed in the top tube. The battery is integrated in the down tube and can only be removed for maintenance. Its capacity of 250 watt hours you can double with a second battery to a total of 500 watt hours. However, this will cost you a water bottle mount, as the range extender is also attached to the frame in the form of a water bottle.
FSA’s collaboration with Vent even goes beyond the e-drive. Both the handlebar stem unit with internally routed cables and the Flowtron telescopic seat post also come from the Asian manufacturer.
Carbon handlebar-stem unit from FSA
Concept consistently implemented
Shifting and braking, on the other hand, are the responsibility of the US company Sram. A Rival groupset is fitted. Not an ordinary one, though, but the XPLR version specially designed for gravel. The differences between the two aren’t all that significant. Mainly they are the larger rollers in the rear derailleurs and the 12-speed cassette. The gearing of the cassette with eleven to 44 teeth differs from the original by quite a bit. The range is somewhat wider, whereby the gear jumps have been assessed as quite harmonious in relevant tests. In terms of chainring size, Vent has opted for one with 40 teeth.
The production model will later feature an electronic shifting system.
Racer instead of bikepacker
At the end of the day, the project of the company based in Lombardy is a rather courageous one. Where else can you find a full-suspension e-gravel bike these days? With the e-Gravel Frontier, Vent is pursuing a decidedly sporty approach. To a certain extent, the bike shows that the manufacturer has so far focused on fully e-MTBs. However, the bikepacking potential of the Graveller suffers from this. For example, the top tube as a mounting option for bags is basically eliminated. Even for water bottles, there is only one mount on the carbon-constructed frame. And you might prefer to use that for a second battery.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a bike to let off steam, you might be happy to put up with that. If you are ok with that and consider purchasing this bike, you’ll have to wait a little longer. Vent has announced that the e-Gravel Frontier will be on the market in spring 2022. The price is expected to be around 8,000 euros.
Pictures: Vent S.R.L.
