We all knew it was going to happen sooner or later but boutique British brand Vielo is claiming that its new Race Edition V+1 is the first wireless and 1x specific gravel frameset.
Launched at Sea Otter, the new Race Edition V+1 is based on the outgoing model which was announced at the same event in 2019. The wireless-only approach isn't new to Vielo, it already has the R+1 Alto wireless road frameset but now its available on the brand's best gravel bike. Going wireless would be a total waste if the brake cables were just left flapping around, so Vielo has internally routed those through the handlebars and stem for a super clean setup.
The Race Edition V+1 isn't just a 1x portless gravel bike for the sake of it. Being 1x specific has meant that Vielo has been able to optimize tube shapes to improve the ride quality and stiffness of the frame whilst achieving a claimed 880g frame weight.
Being 1x specific means the frame has space for symmetrically joined chainstays, rather than relying on dropped stays, to achieve the 700x50mm tire clearance. The fork has also been widened in order to match the frame's tire clearance.
Vielo Race Edition V+1 builds and pricing
The Race Edition V+1 comes in a seriously eye-catching Acid Red to Orange fade finish. Being wireless-only of course limits your drivetrain options somewhat with SRAM being the only drivetrain brand that is currently offering a 1x wireless gravel drivetrain. However, with the introduction of SRAM's XPLR, there are now at least three price points to choose from.
The builds obviously revolve around the aforementioned SRAM 1x groupsets and will be offered with the three drivetrain levels; SRAM Red eTap XPLR with Zipp 303s for $13,000/£9,999, SRAM Force eTap XPLR with DT Swiss GR1600 for $9,170/£7,499, and SRAM Rival eTap XPLR with DT Swiss G1800 at $7,890/£5,899.
Vielo has 40 dealers worldwide who will be taking pre-orders from today with the first delivery being expected in early May 2022.
