PRO Pioneers a New Gravel Testing Standard

From a niche movement, in countries where unpaved roads were plentiful, gravel riding and racing has exploded in recent years. With the discipline booming, distinct sub-categories have emerged within the greater gravel umbrella.

Made up of avid cyclists, PRO’s design, research and product development teams were early adopters of the movement and have now risen to meet the demand for gravel components with the PRO Discover range.

PRO is now, once again, leading the way in this discipline by introducing a gravel testing standard.  

Quality is in the PRO DNA. Every product is thoroughly tested and exceeds the industry standard. However, there is no general industry standard that gravel components need to pass.

As a result, most gravel components are being tested to a road cycling standard. But at PRO, we believe this is insufficient, because as gravel riding matures it becomes more extreme. As riders take on more technical routes at greater speeds, their equipment needs to cope with the rigors of aggressive gravel riding, so needs to be tested comprehensively to ensure rider safety.

PRO creates components which enable riders to celebrate the liberating joy of sports cycling. Whether they are riding for fitness, mental wellbeing, or chasing sporting goals, riders should not have to think about the strength and durability of their components.

They should be able to trust that regardless of what the adventure of gravel brings, their PRO Handlebars, Stem, Seatpost and Accessories will empower them to focus on the road ahead.

Fatigue tests are performed, on most products produced by the cycling industry, to determine the reduction in stiffness and strength of materials under repeated loading. To pass a fatigue test a product needs to reach or exceed a minimum number of load cycles – described as repeated cycling loading – at a particular force, measured in Newtons.

In stage 1 (out-of-phase), the load is applied in opposite directions for 100,000 cycles. This test mimics the repeated left/right loading which riders bring to bear on their handlebars during sprinting or climbing out of the saddle.

For this fatigue test road handlebars are subjected to at least 280 Newtons of force, in an alternating up/down motion for 100,000 cycles. To visualise the test, imagine that the left drop, of the handlebar, is being pressed down while the drop right is raised, and then the right drop is pressed down while the left drop is raised. Each such load constitutes one of the required 100,000 cycles. 

In stage 2 (in-phase), the load is applied in the same direction for 100,000 cycles. This mimics the evenly distributed load, between the rider’s left and right hands, during mountain bike riding over rough terrain. During this test the handlebars are subjected to 450 Newtons of force, at both the right and left ends of the handlebars, for 100,000 cycles.

The below video demonstrates how fatigue testing, for a handlebar and stem combination, is performed.

The PRO Gravel standard takes the highest values from Road (stage 1 – 280N) and MTB (stage 2 - 450N) (shown in the table below, listed in blue). The existing PRO Quality Guide describes that for a PRO component to be released to riders it needs to test at 110% load for alloy and 125% load for carbon.

For stage 1, PRO alloy components are tested to 308 Newton, and PRO carbon components are tested to 350 Newton.

For stage 2, PRO components need to pass at the higher MTB force of 495 Newton for alloy, and 562.5 Newtons for carbon. Note the results of stage 1 and 2 for dummy handlebar testing highlighted in green below.

The new PRO DISCOVER Aero Carbon Handlebar is the first PRO DISCOVER product to be tested according to the standard listed above. Its passing should further reassure riders of the robust quality of this new PRO handlebar.

As cockpits are a complete system, PRO also tested the PRO DISCOVER Stem 10 in combination with the PRO DISCOVER Aero Carbon Handlebar This combination test (highlighted above in yellow) was executed to the Road (stage 1) and Mountain Bike (stage 2) standard for complete peace of mind.

Riders who choose the new PRO DISCOVER Aero Carbon Handlebar and PRO DISCOVER Stem 10 can be confident that their riding will be empowered by the best products. Not only from an aesthetic and aerodynamic functionality point of view, but also from the vital standpoint of rider safety.

For more information on the full range of PRO DISCOVER gravel components, as well as PRO’s road and mountain biking product lines visit www.pro-bikegear.com.

PRO products carry a lifetime warranty; based on a 10-year expected lifetime.

For Further information on test products, please contact your regional PRO Bikegear Marketing Manager.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Embargo: UNDER EMBARGO until THURSDAY on MAY 23, 2024, at 18:00 CEST

About PRO: At PRO, we live and breathe cycling. We believe that cycling is not just a sport, it is a profound way to experience life. It is freedom, liberation on the road, on trails, and on gravel adventures. At the heart of our vision is a commitment to enable the liberating joy of cycling. We're not just a cycling components company; we're your partner in elevating your joys and rising to the challenges of your ride. To optimize and personalize your bike from an inanimate object into an object of passion and empowerment.

We know that your bike is your pride and joy. Every product we create is designed, developed, and tested to help you become not only a better cyclist, but also to aid you in getting the maximum pleasure you can from every ride. Be it a session on the turbo, a cruise around the neighborhood, a crank through your local trail network or a full gas race. PRO is here to help you make your bike yours.

PRO components allow you to upgrade your bars, stem, saddle and seat post for better, lighter, more comfortable options, while showing off your unique personality and style.

Join us in celebrating the liberating joy of cycling and empower every ride to be unforgettable. www.pro-bikegear.com