As a regular cyclist, I often try to identify myself as belonging to a two-wheeled fraternity. I’m in all other disciplines besides single wheels and art cycling, so I have more bikes than garage space.
Ever looking for ways to reduce my “every job” bike collection, Fara F/gravel caught my attention, which is probably my best Do-All Gravel Adventure Bike.
put up
There is 50mm tire clearance between the fork legs
(Picture source: Future)
At the heart of the Fara F/gravel is its carbon frame and fork.
This plays an important role in the design and ride characteristics, making the overall bike relatively lightweight. Fara recommends that the frame weigh 1050g, and our fully built M53 test bike weighs 9.99kg/22 lbs.
Fara said the geometry of the F/gravel has “towards the interesting side of the gravel.” Actually, my bike has a wheelbase of 1028 cm and a head tube angle of 72 degrees.
Who is Farah?
(Photo source: Farah)
Founded in Norway in 2015, Fara created bikes specifically for long-distance adventures. The brand has a simple range of three bike models: F/Road, F/All-Road and F/Gravel. It offers ready-made full bikes or build your own option.
From a perspective, comparing it to other gravel bikes of similar sizes shows that it is comparable to the Canyon Grail CF SL 7, but longer and easier than the dedicated Crux.
This is not to say that the bike lacks fun and sporty geometry. This is not what Farah is unique. But hey, this is the factual secret to creating an excellent gravel bike, and if it’s not broken, why fix it?
The FARA F/gravel stands out due to its curved seat stop design drops. The brand claims this increases compliance for the ride. While I can’t verify the statement, the overall package does allow for decent tire clearance (up to 50mm) and is able to run one-button or two-chain chains.
Fara dropped curved seating design and a bottle cage-style stash box
(Picture source: Future)
The F/gravel frame has practical characteristics of healthy doses, although internal cables are always the subject of debate.
Putting cable routing aside, details like Universal 27.2mm round seatpost assembly make aftermarket dropper seat rods an easy option. Thanks to the fully integrated mount of luggage, fenders and shelves, it’s also easy to set up the Fara for bike packing or travel adventures. Even with these accessories, 50mm tires can be installed.
However, Easy does not mean cheap. I’m sure many aftermarket options will be compatible, but if you want to take full advantage of the installation system with your brand’s own range of bags, bottles, and frame protectors, you’ll have to be prepared to pay for them.
Build your own
(Picture source: Future)
Fara’s online bike builder enables you to pick from a variety of colors, sets and gear options, wheels, cockpit selection and size, and saddles.
Another notable design feature is the integrated stall in the down tube. From experience, this is a Malmot feature, so some riders will find it more useful than others.
My test bike is an f/gravel element, which is the starting price in that range.
This version comes with the entry-level SRAM APEX XPLR Gravel Specificity Group and Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 Alloy Wheelset Shod SK+ 43c tires.
The front features a flared Ritchey Butano alloy cockpit, while the seats are provided by the Fizik Terra Argo X5 and 150mm saddle.
journey
The bike has met my expectations so far. Living on the edge of Peak District National Park, my off-road options range from retouched canal tow paths and abandoned rail trails to reasonable bridleways. F/gravel has already solved them admirably.
Fara extends geometry to the right frame set with agile and agile riding feel. However, it still inspires confidence in handling base pump rails on the side of the canal. The bike (it) stands out and is obviously more capable of grip than the gravel tires in the dirt.
Provides a lot of mud clearance and only a few shorter tires are needed to match.
(Picture source: Future)
The same is true when I take my daughter to a motocross skills conference. We traveled through a very slippery library and then fell to the fields on the roots of trees and weathered stone steps. The bike didn’t jump, although the tires did. While the bike is easy to handle, I could have used more grip to really let go of the rope.
Continuing the skills session, the lightweight nature of the construction makes the bending training easy and sprints effort with ease. So I am very confident that wearing a stronger set of tires will make the bike happier in the mud in the UK. It may even be skilled enough to do cross-country activities.
However, the most obvious gain from the test experience was how my back felt during and after each ride.
After an hour, I usually start riding my bike and just get used to sucking it. But the Fara F/gravel makes me think maybe I don’t need it, maybe I even have a long adventure.
Value and conclusions
The Fara F/Gravel has proven to be an excellent bike. Riding with a sense of urgency is absolutely blast, but its geometry is very comfortable and you can easily go on a full-day/bike adventure.
I really like the digital migration of SRAM Apex XPLR electronic group sets. This, along with the hydraulic disc brakes, will mean a minimal hand-to-hand move beyond the rear mechanical battery charging requirements.
However, this does need to be balanced with the adventurousness of the bike and the prospect of doing mechanical in the wild.
The only crunchy problem is the hiding box. I mainly show my age by really “get them.” For me, that’s too much. Maybe if I were on a bike I would find extra space.
Overall, the bike is excellent, with a price of £3381, which represents a great value for money.
Specification
- frame: f/gravel Torre Carbon
- Group set: SRAM APEX AXS XPLR, 1X12-40T/ 11-44T
- Wheelset: Pivot Fast Red
- tire: Panaracer Gravelking 43sk
- cockpit: Ritchey Butano Alloy 12DEG FLARE
- saddle: Fizik Terra Argo X5, 150mm
