GT Grade Current

A flat-barred gravel bike for those who want to experience all the thrills of off-road riding but from a less extreme riding position

It seems as if the word of bicycle design is in a state of constant flux right now. As soon as riders get used to the latest style of bike, another new option is introduced. A case in point is the GT Grade Current. First came e- bikes and we all got used to those and learnt first to accept them and then to realise the benefits they offer. Then came gravel bikes – road bikes that had been beefed up enough for them to be useable off- road. Now with the Grade Current GT has taken the electric gravel bike and swapped the drop handlebars for a set of flat bars. It’s a gravel bike but not as we know it.

Look past the handlebar choice and there’s a lot of ‘on-trend’ gravel features on the Grade Current.

The bike’s frame features numerous sets of bottle mounts. There’re pairs in the usual places on the top of the down tube and the seat tube. However, you also get another three additional sets on the frame.

It’s good news then that lots of accessory makers now offer all manner of bags and ‘carry all’ racks that mount to regular bottle mount bosses, and you could also use one of the sets to carry an external accessory battery to extend the range of the Mahle Ebikemotion X35 motor incorporated into the rear hub.

The aluminium frame that carries all those mounts features GT’S trademark GT triple triangle design, where the seatstays pass the seat tube to join the top tube. It also has a down tube oversized enough to carry the Ebikemotion X35 battery.

The choice of flat handlebar affects much of the rest of the component choices on the Grade Current, and you’d have to question whether the effect is a positive one. Since most road/gravel bike gear shifters are designed for use with drop bars, GT has instead gone with the rarely seen Microshift brand for the 10-speed shifters and gears on the Grade Current. However, it’s back to more familiar ground with the hydraulic brakes which come from Shimano’s mountain bike selection.

► £2,300 gtbicycles.com