Formally known as Fezzari, Ari Bikes has brought updates to its known Shafer gravel bike. In a bid to bring ‘major performance upgrades’, the Shafer 3.0 offers big tyre clearance, all of the bikepacking essentials, and all-new downtube storage, while shaving grams off of the old bike.
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Now in its third iteration, Ari claims that it’s managed to shed 200g off the Shafer through tweaks to the bike’s tubing. Redesigns to the tubes’ shapes and junctions are to credit for that weight saving, but not without sacrificing all-out strength, says the brand. Additionally, Ari has managed to increase the bike’s tyre clearance to fit up to 2.25in MTB tyres and introduce downtube storage while reaching a frame weight of 928g. Throw the suspension-corrected fork, and that measurement comes up to 1,419g.
Yep, suspension-corrected. That means that the Shafer 3.0 can accommodate a suspension fork without messing up its geometry. With room for up to a 60mm travelled suspension fork, such as the recently announced RockShox Rudy XL, riders can boost the Shafer’s capability should they choose to do so, once again blurring that ever-slimming line between gravel and MTB.
Further straddling that line, the new bike can fit up to 180mm brake rotors with direct flat mounts for 160mm discs. This move has been done because the brand reckons that gravel is getting pretty rowdy. With things like dropper posts and suspension forks becoming commonplace on curly-barred machines, the speeds are getting quicker. But for the bikepacker, more stopping power is always welcome as they’re often carrying more weight than just a rider.
More speed, more adventure
While much of the Shafer 3.0 is designed to make gravel that bit after, Ari recognises that a large part of gravel is adventure, not just race. Because of that, the brand has adorned the bike with all of the mounts you could ask for. Along with space in the front triangle for two bottles, threaded bosses all over the frame and fork boost luggage capacity.
Additionally, the Shafer 3.0 is Ari’s first gravel bike to include downtube storage. Dubbed Cache Frame Storage, it promises space to store tools, food and anything else. It’s built with a co-moulded nylon/rubber door and an aluminium lever and locking mechanism to keep it working for the long haul.
For those with a penchant for huge distances, a lack of sleep, and a distaste for batteries, Dynamo lights are a must-have. Thankfully, Ari has thought of that too, as the Shafer 3.0 is equipped with internal routing to fit such lights.
Models and builds
The new Shafer 3.0 is available in five builds, all of which take full advantage of SRAM’s range of drivetrains, apart from the Shafer Sport, which forgoes SRAM in favour of Shimano’s CUES U6000. On the more affordable models, expect wheels from WTB, whereas the Shafer Pro moves to Reynolds hoops, and the Team goes for Zipps 303 XPLR S carbon wheels. All bikes then roll on variants of Schwalbe’s G-ONE RS tyres.
On top of that, there is also a frame-only option on offer.
As for pricing, it starts at $1,999 for the frameset and goes up to $8,499 for the Team model.
