Allied’s Able: Modern Gravel Racing Performance with Bigger Tires as the Smart Choice

Built for modern gravel racing, Allied’s Able makes bigger tires feel like the smart choice.

The Allied Able gravel race bike has been designed around 57mm (2.25-inch) tires, offering riders a combination of speed and stability that meets the demands of contemporary gravel racing. By accommodating mountain bike-width tires, the bike provides enhanced comfort and protection on rough terrain without sacrificing race-ready performance.

Design Focused on Big Tires and Race Geometry

Allied engineered the Able with racing-focused geometry and sleek tube shapes to deliver road-bike responsiveness, while lowered chainstays and clearance for gargantuan 700x57mm tires give it near mountain bike-level capability. This combination allows the bike to maintain swift handling on fast sections while providing grip and control on technical off-road surfaces.

Features Built for Demanding Gravel Events

The Able includes several features tailored to the needs of elite gravel racers. It offers internal storage, fully internal cable routing, and a multi-position stem that allows riders to adjust their cockpit setup. The frame is compatible with dropper posts and suspension forks, adding versatility for varying course conditions. Built to thrive on the most demanding race courses, the bike emphasizes speed, durability, and adaptability as paramount qualities.

Tire Clearance as a Performance Advantage

While most mainstream gravel race bikes were debuting with 45 to 50mm tire clearance, Allied took a different path by designing the Able around much wider tires. The bike is optimized for tire widths ranging from 700x45mm to 700x57mm, allowing riders to select the ideal setup based on course demands—whether flat and fast or rough and ready. This wide range of tire options supports experimentation and adaptability across different gravel events.

Construction and Build Options

The Allied Able frame is constructed from carbon fiber and weighs 950 grams for a size 56. Build kits are available with various SRAM drivetrain options, including SRAM Red XPLR AXS, SRAM Force XPLR AXS, and SRAM Rival AXS mullet configurations. Pricing for complete builds starts at $6,730 for the Rival AXS mullet build, while the frameset alone is priced at $4,500. An expanded version, the Able EX frameset, is available for $3,950.

Reception in the Gravel Racing Community

The Allied Able has been described as a benchmark in gravel racing, praised for being smooth, light, and having the right mix of stability and agility. Reviewers note that the bike manages to be on the leading edge of where gravel race bikes are headed, offering enough tire clearance to accommodate significant experimentation while maintaining race-focused performance.