3T Exploro review: The aero gravel bike that can do it all

In this 3T Exploro review, we answer the question of whether aero and gravel belong in the same sentence

3T Exploro review
(Image: © Josh Croxton)

Cyclingnews Verdict

If we were designing a do-it-all gravel bike, there's little we'd do differently than 3T has done with the Exploro

Pros

  • +

    Lively racy geometry

  • +

    Tyre clearance

  • +

    Can take 650b and 700c wheels

Cons

  • -

    650b wheels are slow on the road

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The 3T Exploro was launched - to some ridicule, I might add - as a fully aero gravel bike, with the tag line 'go slow, faster'. I must admit, I was one of those sniggering in the corner when 3T made its bold claims about aero savings. It struck me as an unnecessary consideration that was designed for the sake of following market trends, rather than for the sake of actual good bike design. 

But why not? While we've not tested the aerodynamic efficiency of 3T's Sqaero tubing, we've no reason to dispute its effectiveness, and why wouldn't you take the aero benefits. Whether you're racing Dirty Kanza or just riding in the local woods, why not take advantage of the technology available to you and use a bike that's faster. 

Josh Croxton
Associate Editor (Tech)

Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews – leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton. He has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he's covered everything from buyer's guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews. 

On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years. He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, 'cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.