Shimano's colourful gravel
Victoire mission is to build tailor-made bikes for cycling enthusiasts around the world. But every now and then, a model is created for a special occasion, and this is the case for Victoire n°547.
This project was commissioned long ago by Shimano in anticipation of the release of the new version of their GRX groupset, designed for gravel riding.
Based on the geometry of the Distance 45, this Victoire features all the finishing details typical of our bespoke production and will now be touring France to promote the release of the Japanese manufacturer's 12-speed groupset.
For this showcase bike, which will travel to trade shows and consumer events and shows, the specifications were simple to write. They were largely inspired by the configuration of this new GRX groupset, which guided our choice: mechanical transmission, in a double chainring version... Translated into the language of the rider, we're thinking of travel, long distance, activities where we need great versatility and a lot of comfort.
The frame configuration is the one we develop for most of our gravels: 44mm bearings, BSA bottom bracket, standard flatmount brakes and Columbus Life and Zona tubes.
The fork we chose for this gravel bike is the Columbus Cross+: it's the most widely used fork for both our Victoire and Distance brands. It allows the passage of cables for a dynamo hub for lighting, Manythings Cage rack mounts and mudguards.
Its carbon construction with standard 1.5 tapered steerer tube ensures both lightness and reliability.
The raison d'être of the n°547 is to showcase the GRX groupset, particularly the new 48/31 double chainring crankset that perfectly matches the bike's versatility. Suitable for long-distance endurance riding, this groupset is also available in a single chainring version with a 10/51 cassette that offers a very wide development range.
The new Shimano derailleur that completes the GRX groupset is adapted to the twelve rear cogs and can offer a cassette up to 11/36 in double chainring version. Derived from mountain bike models, this derailleur ensures perfect chain tension, even on the roughest trails.
The hoods on the new Shimano GRX groupset have been designed to provide highly effective grip on the roughest descents. The veined design ensures a secure grip. The brake levers have been designed with the same purpose in mind, with an anti-slip treatment that's ideal for taking full advantage of braking power, even in wet conditions.
The new Shimano gravel wheels feature low rim depth to avoid crosswinds and quicker changes of pace. Equipped with highly weather-resistant hubs and j-bend spokes, they are both comfortable and responsive on all types of terrain, while being easy to maintain.
The wide carbon rims of Shimano gravel wheels can accommodate high-volume tires like the Michelin Power Gravel 700*47c we selected for this bike. They offer both great comfort and effective grip for long-distance rides on less demanding paths.
For this unique collaborative project, the entire range of accessories comes from Shimano's Pro line. Carbon seatpost and handlebars are combined with a fully machined stem for a large weight reduction.
The paint treatment was quite different from that of our last Victoires. Shimano gave us carte blanche for the bike's appearance. We chose non-metallic pastel colors and a matte finish. Each color was lightly speckled with the other two, to create detail and unify the hues. The logos were created in a deep metallic midnight blue.
This collaborative bike will be on display from October 5th to 8th 2023 on our stand F06 at the Roc d'Azur in Fréjus, stand F06. It will then be delivered to Shimano, who will use the bike at various events. We'll be sure to keep you posted!
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