The 3T Ultra marries extreme off-road capability with a fast ride on road to create a versatile and distinctive design. Optimised for massive tyres and inspired by simplicity, it features a round 27.2 mm seatpost and external cables for maximum ease of maintenance.
Aerodynamically, the Ultra - while respecting the REALFAST Aero ethos of the brand - posed the biggest challenge and was ultimately solved through a huge downtube. This has been blended into the headtube with an off-centre aero profile and some other trickery that results in a bike that is much faster than the aesthetic suggests it wil be!
Gravel is not entirely distinct from road. As a gravel rider you will inevitably have to spend some parts of your ride on smoother tarmac sections and while the Ultra is built for tougher, more technical - and therefore slower - gravel riding, there is still validity in the aerodynamics-forward design ethos shared across the Exploro family.
This is how Vrooman designs and he leans on tyre size and pressure to marry these seemingly disperate genres of riding in to a rapid 'whole'.
The Ultra can be viewed as a foil to the Racemax - the other side of the coin. While the RaceMax is specifically designed for fast gravel around a 700x 40mm tyre essentially, the Ultra is designed for the opposite: slower, tougher riding. To this end it is designed around 650b tyres with a whopping max width of 61mm. Ultimately, the Ultra uses the aerodynamics to remain fast - and therefore fun - on the road but uses the tyre volume and width to offset the aggressiveness of the frame's design once off road - keeping it relevant given its remit.
The RaceMax features a noticeably wide downtube to engage the airflow coming off the front wheel, to keep aerodynamics in play. To help manage the airflow coming off its much wider tyres, the Ultra makes the Racemax look relatively skinny. Indeed the Ultra has a new, wider-stance fork and the upper portion of the downtube starts at 60mm wide before flowing into a 75mm wide section designed to cleanly hide the bike’s water bottles from the air, all while optimising the airflow from the front tyre.
While the key design principles (see technical section below) that underpin the entire Exploro range are in full effect in the Ultra, the more nuanced approach to the design philosophy manifests in specific ways.
A key difference between the RaceMax and the Ultra is the accommodation of a 27.2mm round seatpost on the later, despite retaining the aerodynamic Sqaero seat tube shape found on the former. This is befitting a bike with a more technical focus and facilitates the use of dropper posts, as much as it does an expanded choice of aftermarket posts of the rider's choice.
The Ultra has undergone some geometric tweaks too and features 4mm longer chainstays than the RaceMax to accommodate wider 700x46mm tyres that the frame is also versatile enough to house. In addition it provides greater mud clearnace when running 650Bs. To counter the longer rear end, the reach has been reduced by about 5mm, bring the position up and back.
It is the tyres though that are pivotal in the Ultra's ability to be Jekyl and Hyde, delivering exceptionally well on both road and tougher gravel.Off-road, the massive 650 tyres offset the inherent harshness of the aero frame and tackle technical terrain with ease. At the same time, the aero-forward design coupled with a super stiff chassis and bigger volume tyres, keep the bike fast and relevant on the black-top - testament to the design philosophy of Gerard Vroomen that has been brought to bear in the entire 3T range. No one does it quite like Gerard Vroomen.
The range consits of the Frameset and 4 models of varying specifications. Interestingly, while the Ultra is designed for 650b wheels, 3T also offer 700c options at most specification levels - leaving the choice to you based on how you see yourself riding and the proportion of riding that will be road vs off road.
If you are new to the 3T range - it can be confusing as to where to stash your cash. While remembering all but the Extrema are incrediby versatile, the following overview will focus on each model's optimised form - so consider each on the basis of the majority of your riding.
When compared to the RaceMax, the Ultra has a similar geometry and fit, but different soul.
The RaceMax frameset is fastest with 700x 35-46mm WAM tyres. It is compatible with up to 61mm WAM 650b tyres. The Ultra is the reverse. It is best with 55-61mm WAM 650b tyres thanks to its wider downtube but can run a 700c tyre up to a 46mm. RaceMax is more about pure speed while the Ultra is about the adventure, bike packing and tough terrain, while remaining fast on road.
The Primo features a more road inspired geometry, partially external cables while still allowing for excellent wheel and tyre versatility. Ride your faster days with 700c road tyres then swap to 650b when adventure calls. The perfect all-round bike.
The Extrema is the latest bike to hit the stable and is built to be fast over longer distances and the toughest, most epic courses. It is700c onlyand features a different geometry designed to keep the rider fast over time through a combination of 3Ts usual aero approaches and sustainable positioning. Oh, and massive tyres!
Ultimately the ULTRA is perfect for riders focusing on adventure and exploration while remaining fast on the road sections that no doubt pepper the routes they ride. At the same time it has the versatility to handle recreational riding and mixed-terrain adventures.