Elena Hartmann at the Swiss Gravel Championships
The WIDE 2.0 at the Bern Gravel Champs. A Race Bike? Yes.
Honest answer: the race went so fast from the very beginning that I barely had time to think about how the bike felt. To be fair, I'd only sat on it once before and that was on tarmac. So I went in with very little reference. But when the pace is that high and you're just trying to survive the first few kilometres, you stop noticing the equipment and you start trusting it.
That's actually a good sign. The WIDE 2.0 gave me nothing to complain about, which at that intensity is about the highest compliment I can give. What I did notice: the climbing. It felt light. The kind of light where you stop doing the mental maths of "how much further" and just ride. I was on 45mm tyres, a conscious choice, because the course was fast and I wanted speed. The WIDE 2.0 is built for wider (OPEN recommends 50-66mm tyres) and next time it will get them.
Technical challenges...
My race was ultimately decided on a technical walking section. One of those moments where legs and lungs are irrelevant and it comes down to something else entirely. Frustrating, but that's gravel.
What I'll take away: the WIDE 2.0 is a race bike. Full stop. Built for wide tyres and big adventures, yes, but also fast, light and responsive enough to race it. And it delivered.
The real international test starts Thursday. I'm heading to South Africa for the Gravel Burn and this time, I'll be going even with wider tyres!
See you on the other side! Elena
No comments yet.