this new GTS carbon chassis will be less expensive

Origine Cycles announces its GTS carbon range for its Graxx 3 gravel and Axxome 3 road bikes. The Valenciennes manufacturer had already split its carbon chassis range into two. On the one hand, the GTR, for performance and rigidity; on the other, the GTO, for flexibility and comfort. So now here is the GTS, “a different molding method that makes this GTS range more accessible“.

Origin GTS, high modulus carbon that makes compromises

With this GTS range, rather than focusing solely on expensive and exclusive innovations, Origine is playing the card of pragmatism: a balance between performance, durability and price. In other words, Origine is taking a step towards cyclists aspiring to enjoy the benefits of high-modulus carbon, without breaking their budget.

But what do we mean by “high modulus” carbon? It is a very popular material in the bicycle industry, especially for high-end frames. To understand its value, we must first delve into the properties of carbon fibers and their application in frame manufacturing. The term modulus refers to the stiffness of carbon fibers, that is, their ability to resist deformation when force is applied.

Unlike low-modulus fiber, which is more flexible, high-modulus carbon has a very rigid fiber, which deforms very little under stress. It is also lighter. In a bicycle frame, we seek a balance between rigidity, weight and comfort. Thus, Origine Cycles uses these fibers in specific areas of the frame to improve overall performance.

At Origine, the Graxx and the Axxome inherit the GTS range

At Origine, the Graxx and the Axxome are already offered in two carbon versions, GTO and GTR. The GTO is a frame made from high modulus (HM) fibers. As for the GTR, Origine uses Ultra High Modulus (UHM) fibers.

As we explained in our test of the Origine Graxx 3, you will opt for a GTR chassis (R for Racing?) if you want a dynamic and very responsive machine. And so much for comfort. On the other hand, you will turn to the GTO range, in the desire for a frame for versatile use, still dynamic, but a little more comfortable (O for Optimal?).

A different molding method

For this new proposal for the Origine GTS range (S for Smooth?), it is still a question of using high-modulus carbon fiber, but with a different molding method (SPS molding and not EPS). Origin explains it this way: “Use a high modulus fiber with simpler molding and counter-molding processes than the GTO and GTR ranges, while maintaining behavior that will tickle the GTO series.“

You will have understood that, whether for the Graxx or the Axxome, the GTS fiber changes absolutely nothing visually on the bike. It also has exactly the same geometry. It’s “under the paint” that this happens. Simply, the molding technique is “easier”, industrially speaking, and therefore less expensive for the manufacturer and even more so for the end customer.

Getting closer to GTR and GTO performance

The objective of the Valencian company: to get as close as possible to the performance of the GTR and GTO ranges. With this new GTS range, it achieves this according to 90%. The manufacturer indicates that the most notable difference will be felt in the comfort aspect. The high modulus carbon frame of an Origne GTS bike will be slightly less comfortable than a GTO frame.

To compensate for this loss of comfort, Origine recommends fitting slightly wider tire sections. An Axxome 3 GTS with a 30 mm tire will be almost as comfortable as an Axxome GTO with a 28. The same goes for a Graxx 3 GTS with a 38 mm tire compared to a Graxx GTO with a 35. Are you following? “We allowed ourselves this bias because today, the width of the tire sections makes it possible to maintain an almost identical level of comfort from one model to another.“, indicates Origine.

Note that the frame of an Origne bike from the GTS range will be a little heavier: 11% additional weight for the Graxx GTS (compared to the GTO), 8% for the Axxome GTS frame (compared to the GTO frame) , always according to the manufacturer.

How much will this new Origine GTS range cost?

How much will this new Origine GTS range cost? At the time of writing, the manufacturer has not yet finalized its price list. If the fiber to the GTS module is 90% close to the GTR and GTO ranges, can we hope for at least a 10% reduction? Unless the reasoning used is different: if the preparation time of a GTR frame is indexed at 100 and the preparation time of a GTS frame drops to 50, what difference in the final price?

Important detail: on this Origine GTS range, you will always have access to the configurator. On the other hand, the choice of colors as well as components will be slightly more restricted. “We have specially selected components with the best performance/reliability/price ratio. We have established a selection of components consistent with the state of mind that we wanted to give to these GTS series.“, specifies the manufacturer. As for the color, you can choose it from a selection of 20 shades.

If you are interested in this new GTS range, go directly to the official website to configure your future Graxx 3 gravel or your next Axxome 3 road bike.