Cyclist
The 3T Strada Italia is an aero bike built for tyres up to 35mm
Often known for its gravel bikes, 3T has followed in the tracks of its Racemax Italia and the Extrema Italia – which cater to fast gravel racing and adventure gravel respectively – with the Strada Italia, an aerodynamic road bike with expanded tyre clearance.
Its aerofoil tubes and deep headset nod to aerodynamic optimisation but with the design shaped around builds of up to 35mm tyres (Width As Measured), comfort is also a priority. 3T claims this is a bike for real-world conditions and the design of the Strada Italia is predicated on the improved safety, speed and efficiency of running wider tyres.
On the Strada, 3T has continued to use an aggressive rear wheel cutout as with the original model, alongside a wide variety of tube depths, shapes and curvatures as well as a very chunky bottom bracket junction. 3T claims these design features combine to produce a bike that is easy for riders to hold a comfortable aerodynamic position on.
Weight isn’t a primary concern for the Strada Italia but the unpainted frameset and forks still weigh in at a respectable 1.3kg (size 54).
3T sells both complete builds and individual framesets, with framesets available for £5,487 including proprietary fork, stem and bars. A ready-to-ride build with SRAM Rival AXS and Zipp 303S wheels is £7,226. The more expensive builds with improved components come with a power meter included.
Coming home
In 2021, 3T brought its manufacturing back to Bergamo, Italy, to maintain control over every stage of the carbon manufacturing process. All three bikes mentioned are now made here using filament winding and Resin-Transfer-Moulding. The former is a process that involves using a turning core around which carbon fibres are wound. 3T claims this helps them to angle every thread of carbon with more precision.
New carbon layup
3T says the improved carbon layup has added various benefits to the performance of the Strada Italia, including improved reactivity, handling and comfort.
Changes to the balance of stiffness and compliance at the head tube have been important for handling, while the carbon layup in the lower seat tube area has been modified to help with compliance. Short chainstays add to the racy feel of the bike.
Comfy aerodynamics
Working on the premise that aerodynamic bikes are only thus if riders can hold an aerodynamic position, 3T is keen to provide a good fit by offering some flexibility in reach and stack with its Integrale technology. The two-piece Aeroflux carbon bars and the carbon MORE stem conceal all cabling internally and allow for precise adjustments to sizing both pre and post sale.
The main aerodynamic optimisation occurs at the Strada Italia’s head tube and down tube, stretching the new UCI regulations as far as possible.
The head tube is very deep and thin while the down tube bulks out closer to the bottom bracket in order to shield the bidons. The rear wheel cutout remains very pronounced with the rider sitting in line with the chainstay’s halfway point.
Wheelsets
Contributing to this balance between comfort and aerodynamics are the different wheelsets offered by 3T on the Strada Italia. Customers have a choice (in price-ascending order) between Zipp 303S (hookless and 23mm internal width), 3T’s own deeper Discus 45|32 LTD, (25mm internal width), or the gently sawtoothed Zipp 353S NSW (hookless and 25mm internal width).
Depending on the spec choice, these wheels will be rolling on either Continental GP 5000 S TR 32mm or Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR 30mm.
If you use tyres smaller than 28mm, 3T recommends checking that you have enough clearance between pedal and ground.
Sizes and colours
The Strada Italia comes, true to its name, in the tricolour options of green, white and red. Alternatively, you can stump up for 3T’s premium Project X finish, which is largely black and gold but leaves the carbon weave exposed to catch and reflect sun rays accordingly. Failing that, you have the option of a ‘ready to paint’ version that lets you do the job yourself.
Size-wise, it’s available in just four options: 51/54/56/58.
Components
There is some room for customisation when building up the Strada Italia. As mentioned, the two-piece bar and stem can be flexed, with the Areoflux Integrale LTD bar coming in 40/42/44cm widths, while the More Integrale stem is available in 90/100/110/120mm sizes. The bar is wrapped in 3T’s own Prendo Speed bar tape.
Choice of crank lengths is the same whether option for SRAM or Ultegra variants: 170/172.5/175mm, while the cassette ranges of 11-34t (Shimano) and 10-33t (SRAM) combine with chainrings of 50/34t (Shimano) and 48/35t (SRAM).
The deep aero seatpost comes with a Ritchey clamp and is topped off by the San Marco Shortfit, the Shortfit Superleggera or the Shortfit 2.0 3D Carbon FX saddle. The latter is the most premium option and retails on its own for £364.99. It offers differentiated cushioning and is 3D printed in the usual, black webbed effect.
Electronic only
Unfortunately for fans of the old ways, the 3T Strada Italia will only cater for electronic gearing. In addition, groupsets from SRAM and Shimano are offered on the website but Campagnolo isn’t. It uses the increasingly popular Universal Derailleur Hanger system and the front derailleur hanger is removable, meaning it is possible to run a 1x system with a minimum 36t and maximum 62t chainring.
Unless you opt for the cheapest SRAM Rival build, a power meter will come as standard on the Ultegra, Force and Red builds.
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