TIFOSI CAVAZZO EKAR

The Cavazzo platform from Tifosi is a jack of all trades. It's a fun around the local trails and bridleways with some thick tyres and a reasonably slack head angle and simple 1x drivetrain. With 13 gears and a wide range of mounting possibilities, the Cavazzo is also ideally suited for long distance bikepacking excursions. This isn't a bike that forces you into a limited, specific niche; many options are available. The Cavazzo had a pleasant vibe to it. They couldn't tell if the open-mould frame dampened vibrations less effectively than other frames made in-house because gravel bike tyres are so much larger and more cushioned than road bike tyres that the difference isn't evident.

The rear end got hooked up on roots a little more than expected, and it wasn't nearly as quick as gravel bikes with shorter chainstays. If you like longer distance rides on mellower trails, though, this won't be a problem. Miche Graff DX wheels felt respectable, with a light weight and strong acceleration. Part of this is due to the thin 19mm internal rim width, which does not use as much material for construction. On the other hand, while using bigger tyres at low pressures, there is a little less sidewall support (around 24psi). They prefer the Miche wheels' lighter and narrower rims to the Rondo wheels' heavier and wider rims, but that doesn't change the fact that this rolling stock is still a step down from the Canyon Grizl's DT Swiss G1800 Spline wheels, which are both reasonably lightweight and have a wide 24mm internal width. The Ekar groupset from Campagnolo, which was fantastic, is, of course, the bike's key selling point. On the road, there were no awkward situations where you were stranded between two gears, one too hard and the other too easy, as you might find on most gravel bikes. There's also the 1x shifting simplicity, which makes a significant impact in reducing cognitive burden.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Frame : UD Toray T500 and T700 Carbon
• Fork: Carbon UD 1
• Groupset: Campagnolo Ekar // 40x9–42t
• Wheels: Miche Graff SP DX AXY wheels 700c
• Tyres : Schwalbe G-One Ultra Bite 700x42c (Max clearance: 700x45c or 650b x 2.1”)
• Weight: 9.50kg

REASONS TO BUY

• Excellent Ekar 1x13 groupset
• Lots of mounting points, modern and traditional
• Good tyre clearance - max. 700 x 45c or 650b x 54mm

REASONS TO AVOID

• Wheels have a relatively narrow internal width
• Handlebar reach is quite long

Website: tifosicycles.co.uk/shop/bikes/cavazzo/