3T Racemax 2.

The Gavler Review.

3T Racemax 2 Review

The 3T Racemax 2 earns its 9.0 as the aero specialist of this list, not the all-rounder — it's the fastest bike here in a straight line on open gravel and pavement, and it's engineered around a genuinely unusual amount of tire volume for how skinny the tubes look. But it also demands terrain that suits it. If your rides are mostly smooth double-track, fire roads, and connector pavement, the Racemax 2 will out-run almost anything else on this list. If your gravel regularly turns into rooty, loose singletrack, this isn't the bike for that day. At $4,999 it's a specialist's tool, and buyers should walk in knowing exactly what specialty they're paying for.

What it is — and what changed

3T's Racemax badge covers two genuinely different bikes, and it matters which one you're looking at. The original Exploro RaceMax — the bike most of the internet's gravel-bike writing still refers to when it says "3T Exploro" — was a 1x-only aero gravel racer with a class-leading 61mm of tire clearance. It was well loved, but it was also getting long in the tooth.

The bike reviewed here, the 3T Racemax² Italia (marketed simply as the Racemax 2), is not a refresh of that bike. It's a new frame, built around new priorities. 3T dropped maximum tire clearance to 51mm WAM with a 1x drivetrain (48mm with 2x) in exchange for a tighter, more aero rear end — chainstays as short as 420mm, according to testers who've measured it, which is remarkably short for a bike that still fits 51mm rubber. In return for giving up 10mm of clearance, 3T reworked nearly every tube on the bike for lower drag, added real down-tube storage, and — for the first time on this platform — offered the bike with a 2x drivetrain alongside 1x. That's a genuine expansion of who the bike works for, even as the tire-clearance number moves the wrong direction for anyone coming from the old Exploro chasing max volume.

We're calling this out explicitly because Gavler's own archive of expert commentary on this product still includes praise written about the older Exploro RaceMax generation. That commentary is still fair as a description of the bike's character — 3T's aero gravel racers have consistently been described as fast, versatile, race-ready machines that reward open terrain over technical trails — and we've kept a couple of those lines below for that reason. But none of it should be read as describing the current bike's specific numbers. The 61mm clearance and 1x-only drivetrain those older reviews are implicitly built around no longer apply to the Racemax 2.

In use

Reviewers who've actually ridden the redesigned Racemax² Italia are consistent on one point: it is very, very fast when the surface allows it. BikeRadar's Warren Rossiter, testing the Racemax2 Italia GRX Di2 2x12 build, called it "a compellingly quick bike," noting that on a mix of towpaths and tarmac it was "stunningly fast" and that "the handling is very much like a road bike." His verdict summed the whole bike up as "a conundrum — the fact it's brilliant on roads and smooth gravel is perhaps enough of a recommendation if that's your preferred type of riding."

Road.cc's tester echoed that read, writing that despite wet and muddy conditions during testing, the Racemax 2 helped him record "various PBs on some sections of my gravel test routes," and summarized the bike's character as "stiff, aero and very well specced." His conclusion: "if this bike is in your price range, then you really won't be disappointed. It offers an excellent ride, both in terms of quality and controllability, and if power is your thing you're going to be blown away by the stiffness on offer."

The trade-off both reviews land on is what happens when the terrain stops being smooth. BikeRadar found that once the route turned into "singletrack with mixed surfaces, rocks and roots," the bike's limitations showed up quickly — partly the stock Schwalbe G-One RS Pro tires, which struggled with mud, loose surfaces, and wet grass, and partly the geometry itself: a steeper-than-trend head angle and low front end that behave more like an aero road bike than a trail-oriented gravel rig once things get technical.

Strengths

• Real tire volume on an aero frame. 51mm WAM (1x) is true off-road capability, not a marketing footnote, and 3T's Sqaero tube shapes still deliver measurably lower drag than a round-tube gravel frame at speed.
• Short chainstays without sacrificing clearance. 420mm rear-center on a bike that fits 51mm tires is genuinely unusual engineering, and it's a big part of why the bike handles like a road bike rather than a truck.
• 1x or 2x, your choice. The Racemax 2 finally lets riders who want tighter, closer-spaced gearing for mixed-terrain racing spec Shimano GRX Di2 2×12, while riders who want mechanical simplicity can still run 1x on a SRAM UDH-compatible hanger.
• Integrated storage and cable routing. Down-tube storage with a magnetic Fidlock closure and fully internal cabling keep the cockpit clean without giving up practicality.
• It rewards fitness, not finesse. On smooth-to-moderate gravel and connector pavement, testers consistently note the bike converts rider power into speed as efficiently as anything in this category.

Trade-offs — who should skip it

The Racemax 2 is not the bike for riders whose "gravel" regularly includes rooty, rocky, or loose-and-steep singletrack. Multiple current reviews flag the same pattern: confident and fast on open ground, "a handful" once the surface gets technical. The stock 45mm Schwalbe G-One RS Pro tires compound this — they're tuned for dry hardpack and lose traction quickly in mud or wet grass, so UK- and Pacific Northwest–style riders in particular should budget for a tire swap. The 2x Shimano GRX Di2 build, while offering welcome gearing range, has drawn specific criticism for front-derailleur chatter and a wiring routing point that's vulnerable to dirt intrusion — not disqualifying, but worth knowing before you commit to that spec over 1x. And at $4,999 (with higher-spec builds running considerably more), this is a bike for riders who already know they want an aero-first race machine, not a first gravel bike or a do-everything adventure rig.

How it compares

Ranked one spot above on this list, the Santa Cruz Stigmata CC takes the opposite bet: less aero optimization, more all-around composure on mixed and technical terrain, which makes it the safer pick for riders whose routes aren't consistently smooth. The Racemax 2 will out-sprint the Stigmata on open gravel and tarmac; the Stigmata will be the calmer, more confidence-inspiring bike the moment the trail gets loose or technical.

Against the list's number one, the Specialized Diverge STR Expert, the comparison is even more pointed. The Diverge STR's whole reason for being is decoupled rear-end compliance — comfort and control over rough, sustained chatter. The Racemax 2 makes almost the opposite trade, prioritizing aero efficiency and stiffness over that kind of compliance. Both are excellent bikes; they're just built for different definitions of "fast." If your gravel is genuinely mixed, technical terrain, the Diverge STR is the more complete tool. If your gravel is fast, open, and rolling, the Racemax 2 will beat it there.

The Gavler verdict

The 3T Racemax 2 is the bike to buy when you already know exactly what kind of gravel riding you do, and it's the fast, open, flowing kind. The redesign trades some outright tire clearance for a shorter, stiffer, more aerodynamic frame and — for the first time — a real 2x option, and both of those trades pay off on the terrain this bike is built for. It's not the pick for technical singletrack, and the stock tires and 2x wiring are worth a second look before you buy. But as a purpose-built aero gravel racer, it remains one of the most distinctive, capable machines in this category. Full rankings and the rest of the field are in our Best Gravel Bikes list.

Common Questions

Is the 3T Racemax 2 the same bike as the 3T Exploro RaceMax?

No. The Racemax² Italia is a ground-up redesign, not a rename. It has all-new geometry, a reworked frame, and — critically — different tire clearance and drivetrain options than the original Exploro RaceMax. If you're cross-shopping used listings, check which generation you're actually looking at.

What is the maximum tire clearance on the 3T Racemax 2?

Up to 51mm WAM with a 1x drivetrain, or 48mm WAM if you run 2x. That's down from the older Exploro RaceMax's 61mm, a trade the redesign makes in exchange for shorter chainstays and more aero shaping around the tire.

Can you get the 3T Racemax 2 with a 2x drivetrain?

Yes. Unlike the 1x-only original Exploro RaceMax, the Racemax 2 is offered in both 1x and 2x builds, including Shimano GRX Di2 2x12 and SRAM options. That said, some testers have reported minor front-derailleur chatter and wiring fussiness on the 2x GRX Di2 build specifically.

Is the 3T Racemax 2 good for technical, rooty singletrack?

Not its strong suit. Reviewers consistently note it's happiest on smooth-to-moderate gravel, fire roads, and tarmac, and becomes a handful on tight, loose, technical terrain — the steep head angle and low front end reward road-bike-style riding more than trail skill.

How does the 3T Racemax 2 compare to the Santa Cruz Stigmata CC or Specialized Diverge STR Expert?

The Racemax 2 is the fastest and most aero of the three on open ground but the least forgiving off it. The Stigmata CC leans lighter and more playful for mixed terrain, and the Diverge STR Expert prioritizes rear-end compliance and comfort over raw aero gains. See our full [Best Gravel Bikes](/lists/best-gravel-bikes) list for the complete rundown.