Cyclocross Magazine was in Sin City for the last Las Vegas edition of Interbike. During the next few weeks, we will highlight the products that caught our eye.
It is no secret a lot of bike brands are skipping Interbike, and if they do attend, many are choosing to launch new bike models at their own press or dealer events.
That does not mean there are not new bikes to see at Interbike. It just takes a bit more effort or luck to find them.
One bike that caught our eye was the Rondo Ruut CF1 gravel bike we found sitting in the back of the Panaracer Tires booth.
The Rondo Ruut CF1 carbon gravel bike looks part Open Cycles with the dropped driveside chainstay and part Canyon with the kinked top tube. Interbike 2017 © Cyclocross Magazine
Rondo is a new brand out of Poland that bills its Ruut bikes as “one bike to ride on and off-road.” Rondo’s carbon gravel bike won a Eurobike Jury’s Gold award, in part because the jury liked the ability to adjust the front fork’s rake and axle-to-crown based on wheel size and terrain.
The adjustable fork angle is accomplished with “Vario Geometry,” featuring a TwinTip front fork. The TwinTip has two fork rake settings for the front axle. The “LO” setting is steeper and more aggressive for racing, while the other is more relaxed for comfort adventuring riding.
Flipping the TwinTip changes the effective head angle and seat angle by a half of a degree. By steepening the seat angle, the effective reach also increases a bit, so millimeter-conscious riders would adjust their fore-aft saddle position and angle a tad with a flip of the TwinTip, to maintain the same riding position relative to the bottom bracket.
The Rondo Ruut CF1 carbon gravel bike features a fork with adjustable rake/offset. Interbike 2017 © Cyclocross Magazine
Rondo currently offers four versions of the Ruut. The CF1 is the top-level model with an all-carbon design and SRAM Force 1 components. Less expensive versions are also available.
The Rondo Ruut CF1 features an EPS carbon frame that has a kinked top tube shape similar to the Canyon Inflite folks in Iowa City and Waterloo saw Lucie and Steve Chainel riding. The carbon fork and frame come with flat-mount disc brake mounts and front and rear thru-axles. Disc brakes on the stock build are hydraulic.
The Rondo Ruut CF1 carbon gravel bike looks a bit Canyon-like to us, but more seat tube extension should offer a bit more flex for comfort. Interbike 2017 © Cyclocross Magazine
The Ruut comes with a 1x SRAM Force 1 setup, but the drivetrain is both 1x and 2x compatible. The asymmetrical chainstays are similar to the Open Cycles’ design that drops the right chainstay for chainring clearance.
The Rondo Ruut CF1 carbon gravel bike takes a design cue from Open Cycles’ U.P. with asymmetrical chainstays that drop the right side for chain ring clearance. Interbike 2017 © Cyclocross Magazine
Wheels on the Ruut are Rondo’s Superlight Alloy 20mm internal tubeless-ready and they come outfitted with, not surprisingly, 700x35c Panaracer Gravel King SK tires. According to Rondo, the frame has clearance for 700cx40mm and 650bx2.1″ tires.
The Rondo Ruut CF1 carbon gravel bike features Rondo Ruut 20mm internal width tubeless wheels as well. The bike was at the Panaracer booth, and featured Gravel King SK tires, of course. Interbike 2017 © Cyclocross Magazine
The list MSRP for the SRAM Force 1 Rondo Ruut is €3,699. California bike chain Mike’s Bikes is currently looking for retailers interested in carrying Rondo bikes in the U.S.
More info: rondo.cc.
Stay tuned for much more from the 2017 Interbike trade show.
The Rondo Ruut CF1 carbon gravel bike. Interbike 2017 © Cyclocross Magazine
Photo Gallery: Rondo Ruut CF1 Carbon Gravel Bike
The Rondo Ruut CF1 carbon gravel bike looks part Open Cycles with the dropped drive side chainstay and part Canyon with the kinked top tube. Interbike 2017 © Cyclocross Magazine
