Raleigh

Willard 2 Complete Bike - 2016

Keeping with the company's theme of weatherman-inspired gravel rigs, Raleigh's 2016 Willard 2 Complete Bike pairs element-defying versatility and modern materials to roll almost any road. Borrowing the Tamland's laid back geometry and trading out steel for a light aluminum frame and vibration absorbing carbon fork, the Willard is a vertitable all-road adventure machine. Raleigh hits a blend of style, function, and budget consciousness with this build, dressing it up with Shimano's smooth shifting 11-speed 105 drivetrain and TRP mechanical disc brakes so you'll have gears for days and confident speed modulation when things get twisty.

The Willard's focus on comfort is immediately clear in its curvy lines, a common sight in the that helps dampen road vibrations and soften the harsh ride that plagues some other aluminum offerings. Relaxed geometry and a low bottom bracket serve to boost comfort and provide confident handling while staying far away from the aggressive twitchiness of race-specific machines. Front and rear thru-axles further enhance responsiveness, with the added bonus of providing a consistent platform for rotor placement and eliminating the finicky adjustment issues so common in quick release disc brake interfaces. As a final touch, Clement's appropriately named X'Plor tires smooth out the bumps and provide ample traction without slowing things down when the road evens out.