Italian bike company, 3T, has today launched what it reckons is its most capable gravel bike yet – the Extrema Italia. As the name suggests, it’s been designed to tackle technical terrain more associated with mountain biking than outright gravel roads. Sitting at the top of 3T’s range, it shares the same carbon-fibre production techniques and engineering blueprint with the Racemax Italia. The Extrema Italia, however, has been endowed with several structural features that make it the most versatile gravel bike 3T has ever produced – not to mention pushing the gravel bike design envelope even further. 

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3T Extrema Italia gravel bike, by Aaron Borrill

Huge tyre clearance and excess baggage

While the notion of going wider may sound counter-intuitive when considering outright speed and even the aerodynamics of a gravel bike, contemporary gravel courses are becoming more demanding and extremely technical, making burlier tyres the go-to option. The 3T has looked closely at this aspect and equipped the Extrema Italia with enough clearance to accommodate 57mm or 2.1- to 2.2in tyres, supplying it with the same level of grip as a cross-country mountain bike. 

Another area 3T elected to address was that of bikepacking and on-bike storage, something that accentuates its adventurous side. In addition to the traditional mounting points for bottles inside the triangle and two mounting slots on the top tube, the Extrema Italia has been outfitted with triple bosses on each fork leg for extra luggage or fitment of small bike racks.

3T Extrema Italia gravel bike, by Aaron Borrill

Aerodynamic facade with an MTB twist

The 3T Extrema Italia is as much about going fast as it is about going long or devouring gnarly terrain. The frame shape has been optimised for speed and utilises the company's Integrale internal cable outing and the ‘MORE’ carbon stem – no visible cables here. It also uses an integrated, two-piece carbon stem and handlebar, giving the rider the ability to choose the bar and stem size independently from each other.

Looking at the build details, the Extrema is designed solely for use with electronic or wireless groupsets. It also utilises a UDH rear derailleur hanger making it compatible with SRAM’s direct-mount Eagle Transmission. While it does bear a resemblance to the Racemax Italia, the two bikes couldn't be any more different. In fact, the only real similarities stem from the proprietary carbon layup and stiffness values around the BB and head tube. The Extrema Italia is a brand-new ground-up design that was built around the idea of 50-57mm tyres and 700c wheels and optimised upwards.

The biggest difference between the Extrema and Racemax Italia comes in the chainstay length (436mm vs 418mm) which stretches the Extrema’s wheelbase to 1,036mm (medium) making it more stable as a result. The other key geometry numbers such as the head angle come in at 70.5-degree while the 368mm reach and 570mm stack are shorter and sit higher than the Racemax – which equates to more comfort and control. A 76mm BB drop rounds things off.

Other notable design elements include the round seat tube shape that has been carried out solely for dropper seat post compatibility, which will help it traverse steep descents with control and better weight distribution over the two axles.

3T Extrema Italia gravel bike, by Aaron Borrill

Build configurations and pricing

The 3T Extrema Italia is available in two colourways: Terra and Mecurio, as well as a special Project X ‘raw carbon-look’. Weight savings between the raw and painted frames are minimal with the focus of Project X being purely cosmetic.  

There are four framesets available: Terra (red), Mecurio (turquoise), Project X (raw carbon) and Project X RTP (no graphics at all, just a clear coat). Prices start at £4,593 /€4,999 /US$5,499 for the painted models and top out at £4,868 /€5,299 /US$5,799 and £5,050 /€5,499 /US$6,099 for the Project X and Project X RTP models respectively.

Complete bikes are all outfitted in SRAM mullet configurations. The range starts with the £6,697 /€7,299 /US$7,999 SRAM Rival/GX Eagle Transmission build. These bikes get Zipp 303S wheels and a 3T Aeroghiaia handlebar. The RockShox Reverb dropper post is an optional extra.

Next up is a similar SRAM Rival/GX Eagle Transmission build, which gains the 3T Torno Wide crank, RockShox Reverb dropper post, Zipp 303S and 3T Aeroghiaia handlebar. This will set you back £7,612 /€8,299 /US$9,199.

The range is spearheaded by the Extrema Italia Project X, which levels up the componentry stakes. It eschews SRAM Rival for a Force/XX SL Eagle Transmission. The 3T Torno Wide Crank, RockShox Reverb dropper post, and 3T Aerghiaia handlebar are retained while Discus 45|40 super wide wheels replace the Zipp 303S. It's a pricey build at £9,625 /€10,499 /US$11,599.

3T Extrema Italia gravel bike, by Aaron Borrill

Initial thoughts and rivals

We've got a 3T Extrema Italia in on test and will be publishing a comprehensive review as soon as we've wrapped up our assessment. What we can say for sure is that the bike is unbelievably capable in a variety of terrain settings. The wider, chunkier tyres render the need for dedicated gravel suspension null and void, such is the ride quality. It's an absolute hoot on off-road terrain and descents and, despite the thicker rubber, is no slouch in the speed department either – it's pretty rapid in a straight line and makes mince meat of fast open, corrugated gravel tracks.

According to 3T, the Extrema Italia should bring a raft of new customers to the brand. Those being on the complete opposite ends of the spectrum: the dedicated roadie looking for a bike that will flatter their ability and improve their technical riding over time, and the diehard mountain biker wanting a hardcore gravel machine that blurs the lines between flat-bar and drop bar riding.

In terms of rivals, the 3T Extrema Italia has no real direct threats but the Enve Mog and YT Szepter come close and will challenge it for top honours. We smell a group test on the horizon.

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