Fara F/Gravel bike review

The Fara F/Gravel completes the Norwegian brand’s trio of drop-bar bikes, its 50mm tyre clearance flagging it as the machine most capable of taking on surfaces beyond All-Road and Road. Fara provides custom spec and paint options, or off-the-shelf ‘Ride Ready’ builds with the latter available at real-world prices. Equipped with SRAM’s electronic 1x groupset Apex AXS, and slightly underwhelming alloy Fulcrum wheels, the excellent frameset is certainly worth building up with more befitting components.

Despite the potential for improvement, the F/Gravel’s winning geometry, excellent ride quality, and built-in luggage ports for wide-ranging trips make it a very valid option for adventurous gravel riders.

Fara F/Gravel background and development

A relatively seasoned face in the busy marketplace of bike-building, Fara celebrates its ten year anniversary next year and remains focussed on mastering just three different frames, the F/Road, the F/All-Road, and the bike on test, the F/Gravel. Fara hails from Norway and specialises in bikes that can handle long distance adventures, befitting of the expansive landscapes you might have got an eyeful of in the Tour of Norway.

Now onto the third generation of its gravel bike, Fara has overhauled the design in a bid to create a frameset that is appealing to racers and endurance riders alike. Speaking to Fara’s founder and CEO, Jeff Webb, striking a balance between different aims was the main concern:

‘The F/Gravel needs to be suitable for multi-day bikepacking trips and races while still being playful and fun enough for shorter, everyday rides. Our aim was to create a lightweight, responsive frame that has a geometry oriented towards the “fun” side of gravel with a shorter wheelbase and sporty handling while not compromising its long ride/multi-day capabilities.’

In addition to geometry tweaks and being able to run both 1x and 2x, as well as mechanical and electronic drivetrains, versatility and utility arrives in the form of internal storage in the down tube, innovative attachment points and 50mm tyre clearance. Fara has gone further than many competitors by teaming up with Roswheel to create size-specific, magnetised bikepacking luggage which can be literally bolted on for an additional £337.

On that theme, Jeff Webb is insistent on the F/Gravel’s inclination for the adventurous, and sees this as the where the bike will find the most receptive riders.

‘It’s for riders that lean towards the more adventurous side of cycling. Either taking on multi-day bikepacking trips and races or tackling technical trails. It’s not specifically designed as a Gravel Race bike but is light enough not to feel out of place in a racing situation.’

Webb sees the F/Gravel as comparable to do-everything gravel bike the Enve Mog that Cyclist recently tested. It came through testing as on the racy side of things geometry wise, and with a comparably short wheelbase to the Fara, but equally accommodating to pretty much any kind of gravel ride.

While Enve’s Mog tries to cover all bases, Fara also offers the F/All-Road with tyre clearance up to just 38mm and ambitions of being genuinely fast on tarmac.  As you’d expect, the All-Road’s frameset weighs 70g less, has a shorter wheelbase, reach, and stack resulting in a generally more compact ride. Consequently, to not step on any toes, this gives the F/Gravel the task of being better, the further off road it goes.

Sustainability and avoiding obsolescence are also considerations in Fara’s product development. Webb claims that it is only when real advancement can be made, that Fara will release new bikes onto the market.

‘We only launch a new Fara product when we’re certain that advancements in design and functionality will result in a real improvement in rider experience. We create products that we want to use ourselves and we don’t believe in launching products for the sake of it. The result is a more sustainable approach to bike production as our bikes are designed to be timeless and durable.’

Fara F/Gravel frameset

The Fara F/Gravel has been totally redesigned from the previous version into a stocky and striking-looking frameset that shares some of the tube shapes and profiles with the other Fara road models. While all clearly part of the same Nordic design family – this being the first iteration where Fara has used its own unique carbon moulds – the F/Gravel does stand apart.

'This is the third generation of Fara Gravel bikes and the first using moulds that are 100% owned by and exclusive to Fara. We worked with an industry renowned frame designer in creating the F/Gravel to create a bike that is suitable for multi-day bikepacking trips and races while still being playful and fun enough for shorter, everyday rides,' Webb says.

In terms of materials and sustainability, clearly a carbon frame has different implications to using aluminium – or even steel – to make a gravel bike. Webb says that Fara doesn’t bite on most of the claims made by carbon producers, preferring to focus on actual ride quality.

'Carbon fibre engineering is continuously evolving as new techniques and materials are perfected. Having said that, as a brand we tend to steer clear of novelty carbon grade claims and marketing jargon that are not really relevant to our customers. What matters most to the rider is the overall ride quality of the frame and the functionality of its features, something we believe we have achieved a fantastic balance in.'

Furthermore the carbon used in the Fara Gravel is varied throughout to allow for different stresses in different areas of the frame. As Webb explains, 'The design uses different carbon layups throughout the frame to make for a durable construction while still being able to be built into a sub-9kg bike.'

In order to create clearance for 1x and 2x drivetrains (mechanical and electronic), the driveside chainstay is dropped to such an extent that there is a visual gap when viewed side-on. A rubber chainstay guard has been fitted alongside a mirrored panel just behind the bottom bracket, shielding the frame from any accumulated debris. There is also a down tube protector listed as standard but this wasn’t included on the test bike.

The seatstays are arced and and dropped, and meet in a wishbone silhouette at the seat tube. The lower seat tube has a small cut out to aid with the 50mm tyre clearance (that’s without mudguards), and is strikingly slim next to the bulked up down tube. The top tube tapers from front to rear but this isn’t just for looks.

The rear triangle was designed in line with the tapered top tube to improve compliance. Webb says that the seat stay design uses a specific carbon fibre layup for a claimed increase in shock damping, as well as improving handling. 

The frameset is fully tooled up for big adventures. In addition to the full range of mounting points for mudguards, three bottle cages and 5kg-worth of luggage on each side of the fork, the Fara Gravel has internal down tube storage, almost fully internal cable routing via the Token system and compatibility with a fully integrated bikepacking luggage system.

There is scope for using a totally integrated cockpit with a pretty simple switch to the top cover. Plus there is option to spec integrated bars in the bike builder if preferred. The F/Gravel comes in two ‘Ride Ready’ colours, black and off-white, with custom builds offered in six different shades.

Fara F/Gravel build

This test build was setup rolling on Fulcrum’s more-or-less entry level Rapid Red 900 alloy gravel wheels which weigh just shy of 2kg and have an internal rim width of 22mm. They are tubeless-compatible but can actually only take up to 45mm tyres so you would need to swap them out to make the most of the tyre clearance. For the test period, I rode on Knobby 43mm Panaracer GravelKing SK+.

Similarly, it was fitted with the entry-level SRAM Apex which combined a 1x 40t chainring with a sizeable 11-44t cassette. The bars were a set of Ritchey WCS Butano which offer an 18° flare at the drops and a backsweep of 5°. The stem was a Ritchey WCS Butano V2 Aluminium 100mm while the headset was a Token A-Box with semi integrated S-Box headset cover, that threads the two brake cables to the underneath of the bars.

In terms of more integration at the front end, Webb notes that the F/Gravel I’m riding is entry level and from Fara’s Ride Ready program, which is a less expensive way to own a Fara.

That said, 'The frame is capable of using both integrated and non-integrated cockpits by simply changing the top-cover. Customers can spec integrated handlebars in the bike builder if desired.'

The forks look broad enough to give space to tyres wider than 50mm and have four mounts fitted each. The short-nosed Fizik Terra Argo X5 is a gravel-specific saddle which was fitted in the 150mm width size.

Included in each build is the down tube stash area which has a small zipped pouch attached within. It measures about 26cm long and the cross section is 5cm x 5cm, so it’s got enough space for a mini pump, an inner tube or two, and whatever other necessities you can cram in there. Access is via the bottle cage, which is attached to a rubber panel that detaches with a decent yank.

Not included in the sale price is the size-specific bikepacking luggage from Roswheel which can be bolted on for an additional £337. The seat post, handlebar and frame bags are waterproof and attach via a combination of magnets and screw-in bolts to create a secure connection.

As Webb explains: 'The bikepacking system uses Fidlock system magnetic mounts attached to the frame and an attachment on the bag that "hooks" onto the magnet. The combination of hook and magnet keeps it secure but is removable in a matter of seconds.'

Fara F/Gravel geometry and sizing

The F/Gravel’s modus operandi differs from the F/All-Road in that it’s meant to be comfortable on super rough ground, while maintaining a responsive and playful ride quality. Fara has tried to achieve this by keeping the wheelbase reasonably short at 1,043mm on a size 56 and sticking to a 72° head tube angle, which you will find on many gravel race bikes. This positions the rider ever so slightly closer to the front wheel than on the Mason Bokeh 3 I tested recently, which held a 71.5° head tube angle but a shorter 1,034mm wheelbase, and is exploring on the same paths and surfaces as the Fara.

Fara’s bikes come in four sizes and the spacing between those sizes is linear. Webb is confident that will cater well for most riders from 165-195cm. For decision-making during the geometry design process, Webb says the team was predominantly led by two things: 'stack and reach were the determining factors.'

The stack and reach on the Fara are 590mm and 396mm respectively, which is bigger than the Mason by around 10mm on both counts, so it’s that bit more upright, while also providing the scope to stretch out and achieve a quicker rider position. It’s more or less identical to the Enve Mog, which differs by a couple of millimeters here, and by just a millimeter in its wheelbase.

Fara has designed a tight back end for the F/Gravel with a 73° seat tube angle and a rear centre of 425mm. The need to retain enough space for 50mm tyre clearance is a factor here, while steering the geometry towards a more interesting ride quality. For comparison, the F/Road and the F/All-Road have rear centres of 410mm and 415mm. The Enve Mog does differ in this area, with a 420mm rear centre and a 73.5° seat tube angle. 

Overall, there aren’t any huge outliers in the geometry of the F/Gravel. It largely follows the script of speed-oriented gravel frames, while taking into account some stability for the rough stuff it’s been built to withstand. 

Riding the Fara F/Gravel

The parlous state of both the UK’s roads and weather means that riding a gravel bike around and outside of cities, especially one as pleasantly compliant as the Fara F/Gravel, makes for enjoyable saddle time. The Paris-Roubaix tyre inflation tech hasn’t quite trickled down yet, so I tended to pedal out of suburbia with high PSI in the 43mm Panaracers before dropping down to around 33 once onto some actual paths.

The Panaracer GravelKings were something of a misnomer, flourishing on the tarmac with their fine tread, and able to pay out power and speed without seeming to lose too much in the transfer. However, once mud and sticky detritus started to accumulate, they lost a lot of grip and didn’t exactly inspire confidence out in the (sort of) wild. The UK serves up a kind of gravel not really seen in most bike brand brochures, and while I’m sure the GravelKings reign supreme on other land masses, in February in England, they don’t.

The F/Gravel’s framset is a an absolute beauty, especially in the creamy off-white of this test build. Though having cleaned it numerous times now, I can say for definite that I will not ever be purchasing a cream gravel bike. Life is too short.

It was interesting to ride the F/Gravel so soon after the Mason Bokeh, to have a direct comparison between an aluminium and carbon frame purporting to do similar things. However, the drawback here was the Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 wheelset, which, tipping the scales at just under 2kg, slightly undermined the 1,050g (claimed) lightness of the Fara frameset. Indeed, the aforementioned Enve Mog weighed in at under 8kg in Cyclist’s test ride, compared to the F/Gravel’s 9.9kg, so they are a world apart by that measure. And also, it should be noted, in price.

Regardless, for the most part, the F/Gravel flies. Fara has set out to build a bike that is versatile, comfortable and capable of being raced, and that is exactly what I was riding. The comfort did shine through, with a good amount of compliance offered through the seatpost and the dropped seatstays. The tapered top tube is also in service to this compliance but whether or not this is effective you’d be hard pushed to say. Most importantly, the overall outcome of a ride quality balanced nicely between pliancy and rigidity was a delight. 

I’ve got quite sensitive nerves in my hands, so I often overcompensate with extra bar tape or thicker gloves to soak up as much buzz as possible. But the F/Gravel pushed those worries to the back of my mind, and I was firing down fine, loose and chunkier gravel – feeling especially secure hanging onto the sizeable flare of the Ritchey bar. 

When the paths turned uphill, that was the only time I felt slightly sluggish, and for this, my heavily padded finger is pointed squarely at the Fulcrum Rapid Red wheels. The geometry of the frame gave me the option to be spread low, or sitting up, taking it easy, in equal degrees of comfort. And its stiffness, coupled with the bulky bottom bracket junction, pays out really good rewards when you give the pedals a good thrashing.

I understand that the F/Gravel is competitively priced and represents a reasonably accessible entry point to a fine gravel bike, it just seemed like a bit of a waste to be neutering the climbing element of a vibrant and exciting frameset with slightly deadening wheels. I found myself ever so slightly toiling up gradients, which isn’t a huge issue for me – but anyone concerned about genuine pace would want to address this with a different spec.

You could upgrade to SRAM Force or Rival for a few extra zeros on the custom builder, but the Apex AXS performed admirably on test; personally I’d save any upgrade budget to trim some fat from the wheelset. Apex’s 40t chainring with an 11-44t cassette was a great range of gearing for the sometimes savage inclines of Kent’s bridleways but I’ll admit that I was off and walking reasonably frequently. That was especially true when I’d attached the saddle pack and frame bag and loaded them with a decent amount of kit to really test my bike handling.

Which brings me neatly onto just that: the handling of the F/Gravel, which Fara has prioritised by keeping the wheelbase length down, along with a 72° head tube angle. For me, this is where the bike excelled, and – on the downhills – it was probably helped somewhat by the slightly higher than expected weight. I could ease it round corners on loose surfaces feeling confident that I was stuck to the track. Equally, the front end was nimble and responsive at lower speeds when negotiating tighter bends. Once I was descending, the hefty carbon forks took the edge off some of the more alarming shudders and provided a nice overall balance to the ride feel. Their slightly clunky looks are necessary to allow for the generous luggage allowance, and performance remains strong. 

The stash compartment in the down tube is in the process of being overhauled by Fara, which makes sense as its slightly rickety construction is out of step with the rest of the brand’s meticulously well-designed bike. I found it difficult to secure the hatch without some low-level rattling, and on rocky, root-strewn trails the last thing you need is your water bottle crashing into the bushes. 

Fara F/Gravel review summary

Fundamentally, the Fara F/Gravel is an extremely enjoyable bike to ride. In terms of ride quality, the handling is sprightly and alive without being too white-knuckle, the smart geometry allows riders to flex comfort and speed, and the frame, fork and tyres combine nicely to keep vibrations manageable.

Fara has made a utilitarian bike that is also fiendishly good to look at (though my Marigold-wearing self has its own thoughts on the practicality of the colour). Many frames – while still being good to ride – drop out of open-source carbon moulds without a single distinguishing feature between them. The interesting mix of tapered and straight tubes, the plunging chainstays, as well as those lovely bowed seatstays, ensure that the F/Gravel will turn heads – including my own.

The bespoke and integrated luggage is comparable in price to third party options, is waterproof, looks brilliant and won’t damage the bike’s beautiful colourway – and I look forward to seeing the updated down tube stash hatch. I had no trouble tinkering with the bike’s fit, and the non-integrated headset will still provide clean enough lines for most.

You’d be hard pressed to find me weighing my rice but I’ll admit I do sometimes weigh bikes. On this occasion – especially when riding round local trails without luggage – the F/Gravel would really pop with a build that drops under 9kg and gives you 10% less heft to worry about. That’s a financial decision individual riders will need to make and I’m sure the wheels will be adequate for a good many.  Having enjoyed riding it so much regardless, I wouldn’t change much, if anything, about the core elements of the F/Gravel. I might, however, think about moving myself to Norway to give the F/Gravel the surfaces it deserves.

Fara F/Gravel specs

• Price: £3,292
• Brand: Fara
• Weight: 9.9kg
• Frame: F/Gravel Off-White Carbon Frame
• Fork:  F/Gravel Off-White Carbon Fork
• Headset: Token A-Box w/ semi integrated S-Box headset cover
• Levers: SRAM Apex AXS
• Brakes: SRAM Apex 
• Rear derailleur: SRAM Apex AXS XPLR
• Front Derailleur: N/A 1x
• Crankset: SRAM Apex 40t
• Bottom bracket: Token T47V29-TS T47
• Cassette: SRAM Apex XPLR 11-44t
• Chain: SRAM Apex D1 12S 120LI
• Wheels: Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 700c DB
• Tyres: Panaracer GravelKing SK+ - Knobby, 700x43
• Bar: Ritchey WCS Butano V2 Aluminium 42cm
• Stem: Ritchey WCS Butano V2 Aluminium 100mm
• Seatpost:  Fara Seatpost Carbon 2-flex Zone, 15mm Offset, 27.2mm*370mm, Black, Includes M5 Insert For Fidlock
• Saddle: Fizik Terra Argo X5 - 150mm