NEW IGNITE GTX: Alpine gravel bike

With the Ignite GTX, we fill the gap between mountain bikes and gravel bikes. From extreme bikepacking to ultra gravel races, the Ignite GTX combines the technical advantages of a mountain bike with the aerodynamics of a drop bar. As a result, it is the perfect weapon for the most challenging terrains.

It’s not uncommon to see riders on an alpine gravel bike during a gravel race while the rest are riding gravel bikes. Conversely, sometimes you’ll spot a rider on an alpine gravel bike in a mountain bike race, while the competition is on mountain bikes. They don’t do this to stand out but because in very specific conditions, this bike is the best possible option. This is a known phenomenon in ultra off-road races. However, you rarely see pros on an alpine gravel bike, mainly because their bike sponsors don’t offer such a model. That’s why, as a true trendsetter, we are now launching the Ignite GTX.

The Ignite GTX excels in long gravel races over large rocks and through desolate sand quarries, so rugged that they resemble mountain bike races. The same goes for ultra mountain bike races that are so "smooth" that today they would likely be classified as gravel races. A mountain bike is focused on pure mountain biking, while a gravel bike is too limited on rough terrain, and the Ignite GTX fills the gap between these two worlds. We don’t opt for a compromise or a 99% suitable bike; we aim for absolute perfection.

The geometry of this "alpine gravel bike" is based on the Ignite SLX hardtail mountain bike, our model for hardtail cross-country. This means it features a pure mountain bike geometry, with a slacker head angle for extra stability. Our product developers added flex-stays for enhanced comfort. This 100% mountain bike geometry is complemented by space for wide, knobby tires (29 x 2.3).

That last feature is very important. The fact that you can install wider tires with this geometry is by no means a drawback. The larger volume of the tire reduces resistance, and these wide tires also reduce the risk of punctures. However, there is some aerodynamic loss, and that’s where the drop bar comes in. The relatively low speeds in these ultra races make this a non-issue.

The Venturemax handlebar is a Ritchey bar with significant flare (24°) and a short drop. The combination of an aerodynamic position and the stability offered by the wide drops ensures optimal control. Additionally, it provides more hand positioning options, and from the drops, you can both accelerate powerfully and lower your center of gravity.

We offer the Ignite GTX with SRAM Rival 1, SRAM Apex 1, SRAM Rival-GX AXS mullet setup and Shimano GRX800 1x12 in mullet setup. The Ignite GTX is available with a suspension fork offering 100mm of travel or with a rigid carbon fork. The suspension fork obviously allows you to tackle even rougher terrain and jump over rocks more easily. Furthermore, you can fully customize the rest of your bike’s setup. The Ignite GTX is available in four sizes: S, M, L, and XL.

This alpine gravel bike can be viewed from two perspectives: it boosts the capabilities of a gravel bike or makes a mountain bike universally adaptable by adding a drop bar. Until now, many people have built their own alpine gravel bikes, and the market offerings have been very limited. With the Ignite GTX, we aim to set a standard that lowers the barrier for purchasing such a bike. Expect to see the Ignite GTX soon in ultra-adventures like the Atlas Mountain Race, The Great Divide through the Rocky Mountains, and the Transcordilleras.

“Some call it a monstercrosser, other call it a dropbar MTB, we know one thing: this bike brings a smile to our face every time we ride it”