Substance V

On paved roads, the rating is mostly about fast cruising and how the setup supports higher speeds. What pushes it in this direction is a heavier build, an aero-leaning setup that reduces drag at higher speeds, wider mixed-surface tires that add some drag, and a capable drivetrain that supports steady speed. All else equal, it trades speed for comfort, durability, or practicality.

Uphill performance score: 4.7/10. Within Road bikes, it ranks around the middle. For hill work, the easiest gear is very tall. The easiest gear works out to about 32.8 gear inches. In its peer group, it lands around the easier ~9% for low-gear climbing. Gear inches is basically “how easy is the easiest gear”. Lower numbers help you keep your legs spinning on steep bits. With roughly 11.1 kg to move uphill, you’ll feel it more as climbs get longer. On proper hills, you’ll feel it — this setup isn’t built to make climbing effortless. 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.

For a gravel build, coming in at 4.7/10 on aero, it’s tuned for mixed riding rather than pure aero focus so it feels versatile, not single-purpose. What that means on the road is: 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. The fit looks fairly neutral, so aerodynamics depends more on the overall design and components than on an extreme position. Tyres around 40mm are clearly aimed at comfort and control, and that usually adds some drag in the wind. A more integrated front end usually reduces minor drag points around the cockpit. It’s a middle-ground feel: not the fastest possible in the wind, but not holding you back either.

Balanced fit - a neutral road posture that suits most riders. You get this posture because handlebar height is roughly 93 mm lower than the saddle (large drop), and how far you'll be stretched forward is about 561 mm (long). Expect a lean angle around 38 degrees. Gravel geometry often balances comfort and control over rough surfaces.

In Road, What drives the fit flexibility here: A modular front-end gives more freedom to change stem length or bar width, Internal routing looks tidy but can make cockpit changes a bit more fiddly. Another point: The dropper adds a real-world adjustability benefit while riding. That is why it is in the Adjustable bucket. This mainly reflects how easy it is to adjust or swap key fit parts over time.

Comfort comes out to 6.0/10, which usually translates to a moderately comfortable ride. That’s the reason it lands as Balanced. It’s running about 40 mm tires on 700c wheels, and extra tire volume helps mute vibration and small bumps on rough lanes and gravel patches. The posture is neutral (posture 6/10, torso ~38°), which keeps things neutral and easy to live with.

This looks like a great buy for the spec on paper. The value score is 1–10. Higher means better value for money; lower means the price is high for what you get. Uses MSRP as a baseline; real-world prices can be lower (discounts can change the value). Based on the parts list, it’s roughly 52% cheaper than what similar builds typically cost. Against similar bikes of the same type and age, it’s usually on the cheaper side, beating about 98% of listings. To anchor it: price €973 versus an estimated €2.043 for a similar build. Put simply: this is strong value for what’s included.

This bike is ready for gravel roads while staying efficient on paved stretches. The tire size is around 40 mm, which gives grip and control on loose gravel. Overall, the setup matches this surface range well.