{"id":518240,"date":"2025-10-21T23:58:42","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T23:58:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/518240\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T23:58:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T23:58:42","slug":"3t-racemax-2-italia-review-fast-precisely-because-its-weird","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/518240\/","title":{"rendered":"3T Racemax 2 Italia Review: Fast, Precisely Because It&#8217;s Weird"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Updated October 21, 2025 02:54PM<\/p>\n<p>Pros<\/p>\n<p>50mm tire clearance<br \/>Gorgeous optional crank<br \/>SRAM UDH<br \/>Incredibly comfortable handlebar<br \/>Surprisingly comfortable geometry<br \/>Mounting points that make sense for this bike<\/p>\n<p>Cons<\/p>\n<p>Cable routing is the worst of both worlds<br \/>Difficult to access stem bolts<br \/>Terrible in-frame storage design<br \/>Integrated rear light makes no sense on this bike<\/p>\n<p>Specs<\/p>\n<p><b>Size tested:<\/b> Medium<\/p>\n<p><b>Price:<\/b> $6499 frameset with an as tested price of $11,699<\/p>\n<p><b>Brand:<\/b> 3T<\/p>\n<p>Verdict<\/p>\n<p>The 3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia makes a statement as something different when it\u2019s the bike you choose. That\u2019s worth something on its own and it\u2019s also surprisingly comfortable with a short reach. Conceptually I love the aero benefits. The bar and stem system should be a one-piece unit, but the only real drawback to the bike is that the in-frame storage is so badly designed.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2304-Edit.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"2121\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969350\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2304-Edit.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>There are only a few bikes in history as influential as the original 3T Exploro. Today we consider aero gravel and the general concept of a gravel race bike as pretty standard offerings. Back in 2016 that was a radical concept and the 3T Exploro was the first ever aero gravel bike.<\/p>\n<p>In the nine years since that introduction, 3T has fallen behind a bit. Or perhaps more accurately other brands have caught up. Now 3T is back with a gorgeous made-in-Italy bike that embraces all the weird solutions in the name of going as fast as possible on unpaved roads. I got a chance to ride this thing and here\u2019s what I found.<\/p>\n<p>Quick hits: standout details of the 3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\">The tire clearance is listed as 51mm width as measured but that likely means a 700\u00d750 max tire with standard ISO 4mm clearance on each side.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\">The narrow seatpost includes an integrated light that you can swap for a block off plate.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\">The 3T Aeroghiaia Integrale handle bar is a high point that keeps your controls close to vertical but offers plenty of flare for control<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\">There\u2019s provisions for running 2x if that\u2019s your preference but it does drop max clearance to 700x48mm<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\">This latest version is a claimed 1.5% faster aerodynamically than the previous generation bike<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\">The frameset uses resin transfer molding with filament wound carbon and it\u2019s all built, plus painted, in Italy<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\">Ready to ride (minus pedals) weight is 8.25kg<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\">There\u2019s mounting spots for two bottles inside the frame, a bottle on the downtube, and a bento box up top.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\">Visit the <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"noopener\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/us.3t.bike\/collections\/racemax-2-italia\">3T website<\/a> for more information<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2277.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969327\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2277.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<br \/>\n3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia frame details<\/p>\n<p>When we discussed this frame on the <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"noopener\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-culture\/uci-gravel-worlds-tech-debating-your-strava-data-3ts-racemax-2-italia-velo-podcast\/\">Velo podcast<\/a>, host Mike Levy said the name sounded like some kind of special edition. In a way, he was right. Not every 3T frame is built in Italy but the Racemax Italia, and now the second generation, do have that distinction. This bike is a regular production product in the lineup but it\u2019s also a special edition.<\/p>\n<p>Part of that difference isn\u2019t just the nationality of the hands creating the bike. All carbon fiber is essentially handmade so location alone isn\u2019t all that special. 3T is upping the ante by using a different production.<\/p>\n<p>Asian made frames use the typical prepreg carbon sheets of most manufacturers. In that process a third party company, like Toray, manufactures huge rolls of carbon with the resin already a part of it. The process is similar to working with cloth and it results in an efficient, repeatable, system that creates a high quality final product.<\/p>\n<p>For the Racemax\u00b2 Italia, 3T instead uses filament wound carbon fiber with a resin transfer molding process. The filament wound process is something originally designed for kayak paddles, as explained by <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"noopener\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.festka.com\/\">Festka<\/a> who also uses the process, and has since moved to bikes. When creating carbon in this way, each individual filament is a continuous strand that remains unbroken as it\u2019s wound into a tube. The specific pattern and types of carbon used in different parts of the frame will affect the feel of the final product.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2299.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969347\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2299.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>Once that weave is complete, the dry carbon is put into a mold. Only then is the resin injected under high pressure into the carbon. This process, according to <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"noopener\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.timebicycles.com\/pages\/technology-rtm\">Time Bicycles<\/a> who also uses RTM, \u201cresults in extremely uniform fiber wetting, with no voids between layers (and) quality is uniform with much smaller variance between frames.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The other advantage to these two processes is what I\u2019d describe as the best of the promise of carbon fiber. Because there\u2019s more ways to manipulate the properties of the material, you get a frame that\u2019s more precise. It\u2019s stiff exactly where you want it to be but soft where it makes sense. Filament wound carbon is also stronger and Festka founder Michael Moure\u010dek loves to put tubes in a vice in his shop to show off how resilient it is. Note that I did not try that with the 3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2292.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969340\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2292.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>In terms of this specific bike, the big news here for the second generation is more aero and more tire clearance. You\u2019d expect these two things to be in opposition to each other but 3T was the one who invented the idea of big tire aero and they\u2019ve only refined the concept. The new bike is a claimed 1.5% aerodynamically faster and getting there is where the bike really gets weird.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s no stone left unturned in the hunt for aero gains. As with older generations there\u2019s still a massive downtube that helps smooth the flow of air off the big tires. Also as before it starts big then flares even larger to 75mm as a shield for the water bottles.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2293.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969341\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2293.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>One detail that\u2019s new is that there\u2019s now a cutout for the front tire up top. As with the Colnago Y1RS, keeping the downtube and the tire a bit closer enhances the aerodynamics of both. In this case though, it\u2019s extra weird as this is a gravel bike that\u2019s had the head tube angle increased, up from 70.7 to 71.5, to further tuck the tire into that downtube.<\/p>\n<p>More obvious tricks are also easy to spot. As with older models, there\u2019s a rear wheel cutout, fully aero seatstays and seattube junction, and an aero seatpost with a Ritchey clamp. You\u2019ll also find an absolutely massive headtube and the cables at the front of the bike run through the CeramicSpeed IS44\/52 headset bearings. Down on the fork there\u2019s a caliper bolt cover on the bottom of the fork to shield the brake caliper mounts and the opposite fork leg is completely smooth with no bolt peaking through.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2290.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969338\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2290.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>There are also a couple of nods to usability. Bottle mounts include two in the main triangle with two options for the downtube mount placement. A third bottle mount can be found way down low on the outside of the downtube and there\u2019s a bento box mount on the top tube. In the downtube itself is an integrated downtube storage system that uses a Fidlock branded \u201cmini-hook closure\u201d with a Missgrape bag inside. On the back of the aero seatpost is a rechargeable light that pushes out 25-lumens or can be replaced with a cover if not needed. You\u2019ll find a UDH mount at the rear of the bike.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2278.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969328\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2278.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<br \/>\nBuild details<\/p>\n<p>Most of the time this section is more about researching future purchases. This time though there\u2019s some really amazing, and weird, details that are worth mentioning here.<\/p>\n<p>3T sells the Racemax\u00b2 Italia as a frameset in four sizes and four colors plus naked carbon. That purchase also includes the seatpost and the bar and stem but that bar and stem design deserve some air time.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2294.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969342\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2294.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>In theory you could swap in a different bar and stem although, as usual, it\u2019s murky about what would actually fit and look like it belonged there. The steerer tube is round but the 3T more stem is\u2026 weird.<\/p>\n<p>If you look at the stem from the top it\u2019s smooth with no top cap or compression bolts visible. To get to those pieces you loosen a pair of hex bolts in the back that are pushing against a metal plate that\u2019s locking against the steerer tube. The cable routing in the stem is through the center but if you flip the bike the lower section of the stem is open with the intended purpose of adding a bit of flexibility for packing. Sticking to aero gains though means that the front of the More stem is smooth with the faceplate bolts facing backwards towards the headtube.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2295.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969343\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2295.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>Slotted into that stem is the 3T Aeroghiaia Integrale handlebar which I\u2019m not sure I can praise quite enough. I love this bar. The tops are a massive blade design with controls sitting mostly vertical. The drops flare dramatically but also have quite a backsweep and a flat section in the curve. This all means you can choose plenty of control at the back of the drops, an aero position deep in the curve, or grab the hoods. K-Edge handles the outfront mount and it\u2019s solid.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2287.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969336\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2287.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>Then it\u2019s even more weird if you choose one of the builds. Personally I\u2019d call the bar and stem system a bad weird but I\u2019ll talk a bit more about that below. For now though, there are two SRAM builds, either Force or RED, that come with the 3T Torno Wide crank.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2279.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969329\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2279.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>Simply said, this crank is a work of art. It\u2019s manufactured in-house with a carbon axle, carbon arms, and an integrated carbon aero spider. Weight for those pieces is 350 grams and chainrings are from Wolftooth.<\/p>\n<p>Looks aside, this is an actual aero piece. This is different from typical aero chainrings which have a solid chainring design but don\u2019t actually offer an aero advantage. This is freely admitted by the manufacturers, such as SRAM, but it\u2019s not because chainrings can\u2019t offer aero gains. The issue is that for it to work you need that smooth, integrated, shaping in the transition from the arms to the spider and you need aero shaping on the arms. 3T isn\u2019t saying the specific numbers but both of those details are here and aero experts I\u2019ve talked to have said 2-3 watts is reasonable.<\/p>\n<p>Besides, did I mention the looks?<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2285.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969334\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2285.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>Also on the table for most builds are a new set of wheels. These got announced with the bike however they are not yet ready and my bike doesn\u2019t include them. If you purchase in the future though, you\u2019ll be getting a new Discuss 45|40 wheelset.\u00a0 As before this is a 45mm deep rim with a 40mm external diameter and 29mm inner width. However there\u2019s now a hookless design and Scope Race series hubs using 21 spokes in the front and 24 in the rear. The changes add up to a 1435 gram wheelset weight compared to the previous 1665 weight.<\/p>\n<p>Build options<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Racemax\u00b2 Italia frameset with 3T More stem and 3T Aeroghiaia Integrale LTD handlebar<\/b>: \u20ac 4,917 | \u00a3 4,425 | $ 6,499<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Racemax\u00b2 Italia with Shimano GRX 2\u00d712 and 3T Discus 45|40 LTD wheels:<\/b> \u20ac 8,114 | \u00a3 7,303 | $ 10,999<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Racemax\u00b2 Italia with SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1\u00d713 and 3T Discus 45|40 LTD wheels:<\/b> \u20ac 8,115 | \u00a3 7,304 | $ 11,699<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Racemax\u00b2 Italia with SRAM Force XPLR AXS 1\u00d713 with Torno Wide crank and 3T Discus 45|40 LTD wheels: <\/b>\u20ac 8,605 | \u00a3 7,745 | $ 11,699<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Racemax\u00b2 Italia with SRAM Red XPLR AXS 1\u00d713 and ZIPP 303 XPLR SW wheels:<\/b> \u20ac 10,409 | \u00a3 9,368 | $ 13,899<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Racemax\u00b2 Italia with SRAM Red XPLR AXS 1\u00d713 with Torno Wide Crank and ZIPP 303 XPLR SW wheels:<\/b> \u20ac 10,409 | \u00a3 9,368 | $ 14,399<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight:400\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Racemax\u00b2 Italia with Campagnolo Super Record 2\u00d713 Gravel and 3T Discus 45|40 wheels:<\/b> \u20ac 10,736 | \u00a3 9,662 | $ 14,599<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2289.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969337\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2289.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<br \/>\n3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia geometry<\/p>\n<p>There are four sizes available<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2291.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969339\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2291.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<br \/>\n3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia ride experience<\/p>\n<p>I don\u2019t want a mountain bike for a gravel bike. The whole point, to me, of a gravel bike is the ability to knock out big miles efficiently and not care if the road is paved or not. I want a bike that will seamlessly transition on and off the pavement but can manage a few miles of deep ruts and rocks without issue. If the skies open before a big adventure, as they did when I rode the Traka 360, I want to know that I\u2019ve got the clearance and capabilities of bigger tires.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2362.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969353\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2362.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>Look at the Racemax\u00b2 Italia through that lens and you\u2019ll understand why I love this bike. I have no doubt that there\u2019s more capable gravel bikes with slacker headtubes and longer chainstays. Maybe even some suspension. I don\u2019t care. This is what I want in a gravel bike. I\u2019ll be running 45mm tires, as it has on it now, but I like that there\u2019s space for a 50mm just in case I decide to take on something where that seems advantageous. Alternatively I could go to a 40mm and have tons of mud clearance or a reasonable all road bike.<\/p>\n<p>I also like all the aero detailing for a similar reason. Yeah it\u2019s weird, and you can\u2019t really feel it, but I know in my head that it\u2019s there and I love that. When I\u2019m tucked in battling the wind on a long gravel road through open farmland I know I\u2019ve got the advantages of whatever aero optimization 3T was able to find. I\u2019m even willing to deal with toe overlap, which I do have on a size medium, for that advantage. This bike isn\u2019t optimized for single track switchbacks.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2297.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969345\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2297.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>When it\u2019s time to stop, there\u2019s a special vibe to this bike and I don\u2019t want to discount that. First people look at the color shifting paint. Then we can talk about it being handmade, filament wound, and RTM molded in Italy. I\u2019m not going to try and say I can feel the different molding and carbon when I\u2019m being bounced around on a rough road with 45mm tires but, like the aero details, I appreciate that it\u2019s there anyway.<\/p>\n<p>After the paint, everyone instantly looks at the crank and asks about it. I get to say it\u2019s actually aero. Normally I\u2019d call out the lack of a power meter on a bike this expensive as an issue. This time 3T is offering something instead and I\u2019ll move to a power pedal gladly. Colnago might consider taking notes here.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2300.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969348\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2300.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>There is some weirdness I\u2019m less fond of though. A small detail is that light in the seatpost. Why is it there? That kind of thing is a nice feature for a mid-range road bike. What\u2019s it doing on a premier aero gravel race bike? Certainly it\u2019s not hurting anything but it\u2019s just such an odd inclusion given the purpose of the bike.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2282.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969332\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2282.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>A bigger issue is the front end design. This is something I talked about in the <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"noopener\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/specialized-aethos-2-first-ride-review\/\">Specialized Aethos 2 review<\/a> also and I\u2019m just as confused here. This bike should have a fully integrated one piece bar and stem. I\u2019m not sure there\u2019s a huge reason not to leave the little window at the bottom of the stem, if travel is really an important consideration, but what is gained with a two piece bar and stem that still routes through the bearings? There\u2019s flexibility in only replacing one or the other for fit but how many people buy a bike at this level and aren\u2019t sure about fit? Get rid of the weird faceplate bolts and two pieces.<\/p>\n<p>I do also want to call attention to what I\u2019d consider some weirdness in the geometry. The reach is quite a short 377 in a size medium. That makes the bike very comfortable, and controllable when it gets rough, but it\u2019s also an oddity given the purpose of the bike. I find myself wanting to stretch out more on the tops in an aero position but I also find it easy to grab that flat spot in the curve of the drops and knock out miles. I can see the advantage of this but if you like more reach it\u2019ll bug you.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2284.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969333\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2284.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>In terms of the build, mine is a little different than what you\u2019ll get. Primarily that means I have the Zipp 303 XPLR SW wheels paired with the Torno crank and SRAM Force AXS groupset. Normally that build would have the 3T wheels but I think the Zipp wheels are actually a better match.<\/p>\n<p>The 3T Discus 45|40 would be a lighter wheel but this is an aero race bike. The Zipp wheels are both wider internally, and deeper. These are the wheels I\u2019d want here and I\u2019m a fan of the build as it is. I won\u2019t dwell much on Force AXS other than to say yeah it\u2019s amazing. You can read my <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-gear\/sram-force-axs-first-ride-review-red-gets-a-discount\/\" rel=\"noopener\">SRAM Force AXS review<\/a> of it but there\u2019s little reason to make a change.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2281.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969331\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2281.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<br \/>\nUsability<\/p>\n<p>If you are looking for an easy to wrench on and easy to live with bike. This is not the one you want.<\/p>\n<p>Presumably it\u2019s easier to travel with because you can remove the stem and fold the bar and stem down a bit but I have a hard time believing that will work as advertised. There\u2019s not actually much slack there. Could you really get it positioned the way you need in a case? And you still have to deal with hoses through the bearings plus weird backwards stem bolts.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2359.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969351\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2359.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s downtube storage but it\u2019s not a good system. Although the downtube itself is massive there\u2019s a relatively tiny opening behind the hatch plus there\u2019s a partial blockage below the hatch. I couldn\u2019t get a reasonable jacket in there and the closure system requires an unintuitive extra movement to actually lock. It\u2019ll appear locked but unless you pull it down it won\u2019t be plus you have to remove the bottle to get it open.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2298.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969346\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2298.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>UDH is a positive and I\u2019d call BB386 EVO with a thread together design neutral.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2286.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969335\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2286.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<br \/>\nConclusion<\/p>\n<p>My all-time favorite gravel bike is the Enve MOG. That bike fits 50mm tires and jumps when you ask it to. It\u2019s such a joy to ride and it\u2019s got tons of capability. The 3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia is a different flavor of the same concept and I love it nearly as much.<\/p>\n<p>The ride is snappy and fun but the flare on the bars coupled with the length of the drops offers a lot of control. I love the weird aero detailing, the paint, the gorgeous crank, and special nature of the layup. I don\u2019t love the stem but I\u2019d easily overlook it if only the downtube storage was better dialed. On the other hand, If this was my only gravel bike I\u2019d probably figure out how to reconfigure the way I carry everything with clothes in my jersey pockets and flat repair in the bike vs the opposite approach I take now.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2371.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969355\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2371.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n<p>If you are looking for a highly capable adventure gravel bike to take on the roughest terrain, this isn\u2019t it. If you want to fly on one day races such as the Traka, Unbound, and Big Sugar this is a bike that does it with style.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2280.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969330\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2280.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<br \/>\n<a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2296.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969344\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2296.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<br \/>\n<a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2360.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969352\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2360.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<br \/>\n<a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-primary underline hover:text-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2363.jpg\" rel=\"noopener\"><img alt=\"3T Racemax\u00b2 Italia\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1600\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-969354\" style=\"color:transparent\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/DSC_2363.jpg\"\/><\/a>(Photo Josh Ross\/Velo)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Updated October 21, 2025 02:54PM Pros 50mm tire clearanceGorgeous optional crankSRAM UDHIncredibly comfortable handlebarSurprisingly comfortable geometryMounting points that&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":518241,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4104],"tags":[4230,168842,79,168843,136152,168844,132984,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-518240","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling","8":"tag-cycling","9":"tag-parent_category-gravel","10":"tag-sports","11":"tag-tag-3t-bike","12":"tag-tag-evergreen","13":"tag-tag-gravel-bike","14":"tag-type-article","15":"tag-uk","16":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115414876479264751","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/518240","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=518240"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/518240\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/518241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=518240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=518240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=518240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}