We first bought a glimpse of a uniquely-shaped 2nd technology Rondo Ruut carbon gravel bike practically a 12 months and a half in the past. After which adopted up with extra particulars eventually summer season’s Eurobike. However whereas these bikes regarded completed, there was nonetheless some refinement to be finished on the design. Now lastly, Rondo formally launch their new Ruut CF Gen 2 carbon gravel bike, and you may get it at your native seller now.
So what makes it particular (and what’s modified) in addition to the truth that it’s kinda lacking the decrease half of its seattube?
We rode the brand new gravel bike to see the way it stacked up towards the unique adjustable geometry gravel bike!
Rondo Ruut g2 CF distinctive 2nd technology carbon gravel bike
When we bought a primary tease of Rondo’s gen 2 Ruut, its interrupted seattube was the large information. Particularly, coming a day after we noticed the strikingly comparable Specialised Angled Strut design patent that turned their Sirrus commuter. That first rideable Ruut v2 prototype of Rondo’s model supervisor was exhibiting off the distinctive new styling to their Polish sellers.
However the design work wasn’t fairly full, that includes dramatically uneven chainstays that didn’t make it into the ultimate design.
Later, final summer season at Eurobike we bought a more in-depth have a look at an up to date boxy carbon body and big forks – following the likes of Rondo’s tough off-road Mylc & Ratt all-road bikes with their decidedly anti-aero flat headtubes. However even then, these present bikes
What’s distinctive?
As an alternative of the couple of triangles that make up a conventional bike body, the brand new Ruut deliberately opts for much less geometrically-stable polygons. By redirecting the seattube ahead halfway, there’s extra alternative for vertical flex, with out essentially shedding stiffness in all different instructions. To get essentially the most flex out of the almost-parallelogram rear quadrilateral (sorry, no extra triangles, right here) the brand new bike additionally will get tremendous dropped seatstays to match the now symmetric dropped chainstays.
Rondo describes the distinctive look as a transfer to carry some vertical compliance into the in any other case boxy carbon body. But in addition simply to create a motorcycle that appears totally different in a sea of same-ness.
Rondo calls the brand new bike each “considerably extra snug and steady”. Consolation principally from its distinctive shaping, and that added stability from utterly reworked geometry.
All-new adjustable gravel geometry
The Ruut’s gravel geometry hadn’t actually modified a lot in any respect since its groundbreaking debut again in 2017. Already then, Rondo supply the uniquely adjustable geometry with fork flip chips to allow you to decide a Race or Endurance really feel to the bike. It was a sensible transfer forward of its time, letting early gravel adopters get each a race-ready and bikepacking-ready bike in a single.
What has modified on this replace is comparatively minor, together with prolonged body Attain and better Stack with taller headtubes for a extra snug place, presumably impressed by the Mylc. Plus, a 0.5° slacker head angle for a bit extra stability, with the identical brief 420mm chainstays and a few additional standover clearance.
However simply as massive information, is the addition of a brand new fifth measurement, the brand new XS with 650b wheels takes benefit of the longer/larger rider place to squeeze one measurement again in, both for smaller riders or those that want the shorter/decrease match.
Tech particulars
The brand new boxy carbon body includes a kinked toptube, interrupted seattube, and symmetric rear finish. Cable routing is totally built-in internally, by means of the large new CNC machined in Poland alloy stem and into the Acros headset.
Up entrance is an ultra-deep redesigned TwinTip fork, with an enormous non-driveside wing that smooths air over the flat mount entrance brake. The brand new fork carries over Rondo’s distinctive TwinTip flip-chip providing 10mm of axle-to-crown peak & 10mm offset adjustment that alters your head angle by 0.7°, reshaping the gravel bike’s experience character.
There are many mounting factors for equipment. Two units of cage mounts on prime of the downtube will match 2 full-size bottle on Medium and bigger frames. Then, there’s a set of mounts below the downtube and a toptube bag mount. Plus, there’s a fifth set of mounts above the place you’d usually discover a entrance derailleur, the place we’ve been instructed a customized bolt-on bag may very well be positioned. There are even mounts for full protection fenders, but it surely’s gonna be a reasonably customized setup because of the distinctive body shaping.
The brand new Ruut is clearly 1x solely with no place to hold a entrance derailleur, proper? Unsuitable… apparently Rondo will make some type of customized hanger to make a 2x drivetrain work.
The body includes a new built-in wedge-style seat clamp for an excellent outdated 27.2mm spherical seatpost. It will get an asymmetrical T47/77 threaded backside bracket, that’s SRAM energy meter suitable. And now there’s a UDH for T-type drivetrain compatibility. With 12mm thru-axles and flat mount brakes, max tire clearance is now 700c x 45mm or 650b x 50mm.
Using Impressions
I had the prospect to experience the brand new Ruut G2 CF1 earlier this spring on acquainted quick however usually rocky Spanish gravel roads. And a bit opposite to Rondo’s descriptions, I’d say that it was one of many stiffest driving gravel bikes I’ve ridden in current reminiscence. That’s not fully an excellent or unhealthy factor, however one thing to bear in mind.
With that stated, the stiffness felt prefer it was principally coming from the entrance finish. It begins with that huge new fork and boxy headtube. And stiffness carries by means of the stiff machined stem right into a fairly inflexible alloy bar.
As a lot as it’s a robust visible, I don’t really feel just like the interrupted seat tube provided a lot noticeable vertical compliance. Not less than not in comparison with a extra standard bike design. That’s not likely an enormous shock. I think the redirected seattube design most likely merely offsets additional stiffness from the large boxy carbon tube shapes in all places else.
Quick-rolling 40mm tires are definitely a sensible choice for pace. However there’s loads of room up entrance to get an even bigger tire right here for extra consolation and even improved grip. And I feel that if this have been my bike, it might enormously profit from a extra compliant handlebar and/or stem. And naturally bigger quantity tires.
All comparatively easy tweaks to make.
2024 Rondo Ruut g2 CF – Pricing, choices & availability
The brand new 2024 Rondo Ruut g2 CF now is available in 4 full 1x builds. The highest tier would be the new Rondo Ruut g2 CF0 with a whole SRAM Pressure AXS Xplr (10-44T) groupset, a Easton SC70 AX carbon bar, and a set of 42mm deep carbon Hunt Limitless Gravel aero wheels.
I examined the 5000€ g2 CF1 with a SRAM Rival AXS Xplr (10-44T) groupset. However Rondo matches the CF1 with an alloy Spank Wing 12° bar and alloy Hunt Gravel X-Huge wheels.
There’s additionally the extra reasonably priced 3800€ Rondo Ruut g2 CF2 with a mechanical Shimano GRX groupset – an RX812 derailleur paired to a MicroShift 11-42T cassette, plus home model alloy bar & wheels. And Rondo may also supply a equally priced CF2 choice with mechanical Apex Xplr within the close to future, as properly.
And lastly, one other cyclocross-inspired construct. The Ruut g2 CF X will get SRAM Apex AXS, tighter 10-36T cassette, aero carbon bar & Hunt Aero Huge alloy wheels.
The brand new 2nd technology Ruut CF1 & CF2 can be found now by means of your native Rondo seller. The others will come later this summer season into autumn.
