Description
CHAPTER2 AO: The Adventure Gravel Bike for All Your Gravel Pursuits
With the limitless number of adventures gravel riders have in mind when looking for a gravel bike, it must be difficult for manufacturers to hit upon the right formula. But the CHAPTER2 AO adventure gravel bike may have found the perfect mix to cater to gravel racer and endurance bikepacker alike.
It’s a tricky conundrum that gravel bikes find themselves in. A lot more road riders are turning to the rougher roads less traveled in an attempt to escape the stress and dangers of paved roads, while MTBers and endurance riders are often looking for the best mix for off road, cross country epics. The CHAPTER2 AO scratches each itch by providing the road riders with clever geometry solutions that will give them the snappy feel that they crave for their rides on all surfaces, while the bikepackers can look to the variety of mounts, wheel sizes and gearing options that will help them navigate the issues that often befall multi-day treks.
If you are looking at the geometry chart, you’ll notice that the AO doesn’t veer too heavily in the super laidback direction, which will make roadies happy. The stack and reach are closer to what you might expect to find on a cross bike, and at 73.5° the seat angle slips nicely into that goldilocks not too slack, not too steep region. But the AO avoids falling into that trap of trying to please all and ending up pleasing none by adding in a clever design trick. The chainstays in their neutral position are 420mm, but since the rear axle has been designed to sit in its own aluminum hardware, it can be moved back 7.5mm or forward the same amount. Having the ability to make the effective chainstay length longer will increase the stability of the handling for the trekkers , while shortening will amp up the snappiness for gravel racers and hardcore roadies.
The wide range of setup options that the AO provides will also find lots of enthusiasts. There are lots of mount options for panniers at the rear, including bosses on the top tube for a nutrition or map bag mount. Several water bottle cage bosses will make it possible to take extra water for when you don’t know where the next service station is located. Another sticking point for gravel riders is whether or not you want to bother with a double chainring. The AO has a nifty front derailleur cover that you can use when you want to go 1X, but has plenty of room for a 2X 50-34 setup. The dropped drivetrain side chainstay makes that sort of versatility possible, and also allows for a wide range of choices in wheel and tire sizes. The CHAPTER2 AO can accept up to 47mm tires with 650B or 42mm with 700C, which should cover all but the most extreme types of rugged trails, which will probably be calling out for a full on mountain bike instead.
The low weight of the CHAPTER2 AO also sets it apart from lots of gravel options out there. Strategically using super high quality Toray T700 and T800 throughout the frame means that they were not only able to keep it light, but durable and responsive. It can easily offer a pro level ride with the low weight and aggressive geometry, but with the expert use of carbon and frame design, you won’t feel jarred and beaten up after hours on the rough gravel trails.
Thoughtful Cable Management and Matching Stem Included in the CHAPTER2 AO
The CHAPTER2 AO comes with its 31.6mm carbon seatpost that offers a great deal of comfy compliance, though the external seat clamp is dropper post friendly. Cable management is made easy by the interchangeable cable stop on the downtube that offers a port for the groupset system you are using, and closes any unused holes required by other systems. The matching stem is also included in the package. It is available in five sizes. AO just wants to make it easy for you to get out there and love your days on the bike.
Also check Cinelli Gravel & CX bikes.
Geometry - AO
Need Help?
If you have any questions about this frame or bike, please contact our Chapter2 TeamCharlie Zamanian
USA: 866.497.3624 ext.214
International: 510-529-3054 Taylor Cody
USA: 866.497.3624 ext.210
International: 510-529-3042