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The creation of nova gravel
When we decided to make a gravel bike, we wanted it to be something new. The nova gravel is an off-road capable bicycle that retains the indomitable spirit inherent to all of passonis bikes. Its capable and lively both on and off-road. To ensure these characteristics, we developed a geometry based on our nova road bike that retains what weve learned from decades of road bike manufacturing. We then married this to the insights gained riding the gravel routes in the hills above our atelier and around lake como, as explained in our article on the hidden route of the dorsale del triangolo lariano.
The resulting bike’s heart is a lightweight steel construction based on an extensively worked Columbus Spirit tubeset. Welded with TIG and silver-brass fill brazing, its design exemplifies many of the features pioneered by our Milanese frame builders. The central part of this is the Nova Gravel’s distinctive drop-profiled downtube. This ensures the frame resists any twisting forces, whether coming downwards from the rider sprinting or upwards from the terrain beneath its wheels.
The seat tube and top tubes are similarly oversized. It’s a combination that again boosts stiffness and lends the bike a modern aesthetic. This is complemented at the front by a tapered headtube with custom CNC-machined stainless steel bearing cups. This, in turn, houses the carbon fibre Columbus Futura Cross fork, which matches low weight and stiffness. The rear triangle then uses subtly curved chainstays to increase tyre clearance to a comfortable 38mm.
Make it yours
The Nova Gravel is part of Passoni’s ready-to-ride line. This means a significantly reduced time between ordering your bike and its arrival. Nevertheless, the bike can be customised to its owner in many ways, both through component choices and finishing.
We think the Nova Gravel’s frame finds its perfect match in Campagnolo’s robust 13-speed Ekar groupset. This mechanical solution offers an extensive range of gears and is ideal if you want to spend extended periods away from civilisation. Alternatively, SRAM’s Force eTap AXS groupset provides the convenience and precision of electronically actuated shifting. To learn more about electronic shifting, we wrote an article about it.
Other parts can be chosen from makers including Deda, Fulcrum, and Cinelli. These allow you to tailor the bike to your particular dimensions and riding preferences. Finally, a vast range of painted finishes can be applied to the bicycle. The same brands as for our bikes like the Titanio Disco or the XXTi.
For more information on our Nova Gravel, visit the Passoni website or arrange an in-person visit to our atelier outside of Milan to discover the know-how of our artisans.You can also discover our bike configurator to create your perfect project.
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