Ventum is rapidly changing into a family identify for these within the drop bar scene. The model began with slick, aerodynamic street bikes and, in 2020, moved in direction of the gravel aspect of life with its first gravel providing, the spectacular GS1.
We cherished the primary iteration of the Ventum GS1, a lot in order that it obtained our Editors Selection award for 2020. It was not with out its shortcomings, although, and the world of gravel and gravel racing has modified quickly prior to now three years. What appeared like an ample quantity of tire clearance then is now equal to a cyclocross bike. The identical is alleged for developments in gravel geometry. It appears that evidently Ventum was listening, gathering concepts, and prototyping.
After a lot suggestions from their gravel racing athletes and the using world at giant, Ventum rapidly up to date its flagship gravel machine. In pursuit of making a quick gravel race bike, Ventum opted for bigger tire clearance, an extended wheelbase, and tweaked the geometry for higher dealing with off the pavement.
What’s new — Ventum GS1 2023
At first glace, the GS1 has a really totally different look from the earlier mannequin. The earlier mannequin shared extra traits of a cyclocross bike, whereas the brand new model seems like an aero-gravel design. Probably the most notable being the swooped seat stays, a beefed up entrance finish, and an extended wheelbase.
Ventum GS1 2023 Body Particulars
For this iteration of the GS1, Ventum pivoted from excessive gloss paint to matte however caught with the earth (gravel) tones. The matte paint hides scratches and mud higher than the gloss end in my choice however lacks a number of the pop of the earlier providing.
The brand new GS1 is offered in 4 colorways; Sage, Moss, MOAB, and Storm.
Extra Room for Enjoyable
The GS1 now clears as much as 700c x 48mm and 650b x 2.1″ with some room to spare. The geometry is tweaked barely with a further 10mm of attain and wheelbase. The up to date entrance finish neatly shops cable in a barely totally different headtube design recessed into the body.
Ventum rethought the entrance derailleur remedy on the GS1, nonetheless accommodating for people who wish to run a 2X however optimizing for single-ring use. For these trying to run a 2X system, the up to date GS1 is direct mount prepared, with an easy-to-use cable feeder port.
Some carryovers are a T47 threaded backside bracket, inside cable routing, Ventum twin offset fork, and high tube accent mounting.
The GS1 is barely up to date however carries over the design the place the person can change the offset barely. It’s very straightforward to make use of and modifications up the dealing with making the bike extra responsive with out a lot leg work.
Ventum GS1 — Construct and Specs
Our Ventum GS1 arrived with a stable gravel race construct, topped off with Zipp 303s and an Enve cockpit. The construct is purposeful; go quick, and be comfy. The entire weight checked in at 18lbs 04oz (8.28kg) with Arundel bottle cages, sealant within the tires, and Shimano XT 8000 pedals.
- Body: Ventum GS1 Medium
- Fork: Ventum twin place full carbon
- Shifters: SRAM Drive AXS 1X
- Crankset: SRAM Drive 42T 172.5
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM Drive EXPLR
- Chain: SRAM 12 SPD Flattop
- Cassette: SRAM 10-44T
- Rotors: 160 F/R
- Wheels: Zipp 303s
- Tires: IRC BOKEN Double Cross 700 x 42c
- Stem: ENVE 80mm
- Bars: ENVE Gravel 44cm
- Saddle: Fizik Arrgo
- Weight:
Preliminary impressions
Ventum is direct to shopper, and the bikes arrive to the purchaser in tip-top form for meeting. I used to be shocked by my final assessment of the care taken within the pre-build course of, and this time was no totally different. I’ve seen all method of pre-built bikes, and more often than not, you need to test each single bolt with a torque wrench or rebuild utterly.
The Ventum GS1 arrived absolutely dialed, shifters paired, and brakes mattress in. The one factor I wanted to do was set up the stem and dial within the match. I nonetheless checked it over with a torque wrench, however the construct high quality and a focus to element are very good.
The longer attain meant working a shorter-than-usual stem to get my match proper. The bike arrived with an 80mm stem, which turned out proper on the cash. Coming from the earlier mannequin, the brand new GS1 has an aggressive really feel. After doing the headset spacer dance, I landed on a snug match. The Enve Gravel bars are wider than the 42cm conventional bars I experience which means the setup and flare can take a bit to get used to, particularly for these coming from a extra conventional setup.
The up to date GS1 headset and cable administration system took a while to good, however I discover this a headache on most bikes. It sits very flat on the body and offers a brilliant clear look, and it’s a pleasant replace. Notably, you possibly can change the stem and spacer place with out having to mess with the cables. Although like many fashionable bikes with inside routing via the headset, altering the headset bearings is much extra sophisticated.
Experience impressions
The GS1 arrived simply as we had been experiencing a winter warmth wave in Pittsburgh. The as soon as frozen stable gravel roads turned to power-zapping slogs. I took the Ventum GS1 out for its inaugural rides on these roads, not solely testing my winter form however the energy switch within the up to date gravel race machine.
On the pavement, the GS1 rides like an aggressive street bike with all of the response you’d count on from a performance-focused body. The steering is a departure from the street really feel, rolling down sweeping descents and tight roads. The GS1 is extra of a gradual and regular driver. I used to be nonetheless getting used to the experience, but it surely was clear this bike excels extra chugging on the flats and fewer slicing/dicing on the turns.
After I lastly hit the gravel, the GS1 got here into its personal. The chatter I anticipated on the blown-out gravel roads was extra of a hum. Whereas descending, the GS1 feels planted, even on gentle, free gravel. The lengthy and low feeling soaks up small bumps, and the regular steering is an asset on sketchy gravel descents.
The place the GS1 outperforms different bikes is on flat or rolling gravel. The up to date geometry put the rider in a barely extra aggressive place, however not out of the consolation zone. The place seems like a mixture of a street and cyclocross match, extra focused on energy manufacturing, and the bike plows ahead.
Most of my assessment rides had been a mixture of gravel, street, and a few single observe. The GS1 does effectively on all terrains however is most at residence on gravel. The bike rapidly responds to energy on the pedals, and the reconfigured rear triangle soaks up bumps with no lack of feeling.
The broader tire clearance is a welcome replace, however I felt comfy on the 38mm tires of the earlier model. My native gravel isn’t very loopy, however I felt the body of the GS1 did many of the heavy lifting for smoothing out the experience.
Remaining ideas
The extra I accrued miles on the up to date Ventum GS1, the extra I favored it. The body is responsive and may maintain its personal on the flats and climbs. The burden alone will appeal to some gravel weight-weenies. However its most excellent function could be the comfy experience the GS1 provides at a race tempo.
Rolling onerous on gravel, I wasn’t holding the bars for expensive life; I used to be in management, driving the bike and searching forward. We take this stuff with no consideration on a experience, however when race day comes, all of the fatigue that comes from being jackhammered by gravel roads takes a chunk out of your total efficiency.
If something, the GS1 is greatest described as a devoted gravel race bike. It performs effectively on the street and trails, however gravel is the place it’s residence.
