Dark Matter (INT) SRAM Force AXS Wide

This road speed rating is tuned for paved riding - think steady fast tempo and easier acceleration. Against lighter, narrower-tire builds, this build is shaped by wider mixed-surface tires that add some drag and a solid drivetrain that supports efficient riding. In practice, it tends to feel slower when you try to hold a high tempo.

On steep roads, it comes in at 4.7/10. Within Road bikes, this comes out around the middle. When it gets steep, the gearing feels very easy. In numbers, the low gear is roughly 22.5 gear inches. Compared with similar bikes, this low gear is easier than about ~93% of them. Gear inches is basically “how easy is the easiest gear”. Lower numbers help you keep your legs spinning on steep bits. You’ll be able to keep a steady spin even when it gets steep. Specs can vary by size and build, and some manufacturer details aren’t always published, so treat this as a strong guide rather than a guarantee.

In gravel terms, aero-wise, at 4.6/10, it lands in the ‘do-most-things-well’ aero zone so you get some benefit when the wind matters. Put simply, it’s a balanced middle ground: some streamlining, but not an extreme aero setup. The gravel tag is a useful clue for how wind efficiency ranks among the priorities. Wider tyres like this tend to trade a bit of aero efficiency for comfort and confidence. That typically means solid everyday speed without forcing an aggressive position or race-only parts.

Balanced fit - a versatile position for long rides and faster efforts. You get this posture because bars are around 87 mm lower than the saddle, which is a large drop, and the forward stretch measures around 554 mm (long). Plan for roughly 37 degrees of lean. Gravel setups typically avoid an extreme tuck for stability. Estimated spacers: ~19 mm.

In Road, That is why it is in the Adjustable bucket. What drives the fit flexibility here: This front-end is not locked into a one-piece system, which helps adjustability, A more service-friendly routing setup makes changes easier. Plus, Seatpost info looks fairly neutral, so most fit change comes from cockpit choices.

Ride comfort is 5.5/10 — on a real ride it feels balanced. So it’s tagged Balanced overall. It’s running about 38 mm tires on 700c wheels, and wider tires let you drop pressure a touch, which smooths out rough pavement on rough lanes and gravel patches. The posture is neutral (posture 6/10, torso ~37°), which balances comfort and responsiveness pretty well.

You’re paying a big premium here versus similar builds. Value is scored 1–10: higher is better value, lower means you’re paying more than similar bikes. Uses MSRP as a baseline; real-world prices can be lower (discounts can change the value). On the spec comparison, it sits roughly 72% above what similar builds typically cost. In its peer group, it’s one of the pricier listings, beating only about 15% of them. Quick reference: €7.100 listed versus about €4.126 for a comparable build. Put simply: it’s priced more like a premium pick than a value buy.

This setup is built for mixed rides where gravel is a normal part of the route. Tires around 38 mm are well suited for gravel roads and unpaved connectors. Overall, the setup matches this surface range well.