Unbound Gravel 2025 Bike Configurations Victory Analysis: Which Tires and Transmissions Dominated the Flint Hills?
Fiery Take on the Iron Horses of Unbound Gravel 2023
When the dust settles, Unbound Gravel is no mere race—it's a battlefield, a crucible that hardens gear and pushes riders to their limits. Every bicycle here screams personality, reflecting the rider's unique blend of tactical smarts, kit preferences, and sheer grit. From the 240-kilometer Elite race to the brutal 576-kilometer XL, these are the machines that rose to the top, at times defying convention. Here's your guide to the battle-scarred steeds that conquered the prairie.
Cameron Jones' Scott Addict Rebellion
The surprise winner of the men's elite race, New Zealander Cameron Jones, took home the title with his off-kilter colorway Scott Addict Gravel RC. Racing alongside Simon Pellaud (Tudor Pro Cycling), they broke away after just 50 miles and spent the majority of the day working together, tireless compatriots. But as the gravel gave way to pavement, Jones seized control and launched a stunning solo attack, leaving Pellaud in the dust.
Jones' bike is a patchwork of components, including a Scott Addict Gravel RC frame, paired with a Deda stem and Enve SES Aero bars. The wheels are Syncros Capitol 1.0S, and the drivetrain consists of a mix of Ultegra, Dura Ace, and GRX components. Impressively, he toes the line with mismatched Schwalbe G-One tyres—a 50mm RS in the front, and a 45mm RX Pro in the rear.
- Frameset: Scott Addict Gravel RC HMX
- Groupset: Shimano Di2 Ultegra levers, Dura Ace crankset with 4iii powermeter, GRX Di2 rear derailleur
- Wheelset: Syncros Capitol 1.0S wheels
- Stem: Deda
- Bar: Enve SES AR Aero
- Tyres: 50mm Schwalbe G-One RS in the front and 45mm Schwalbe G-One RX Pro in the back
Note the tyre choice. Larger, knobbier tyres in the front are growing popular among gravel racers, yet Jones opted for more tread in the rear, a curious choice that seemingly paid off.
Karolina Migoń's Defiant Rose
Karolina Migoń, the Polish powerhouse who recently conquered the Traka 360, made her Unbound debut in style, taking the punishing 814-kilometer XL by the horns. After suffering mechanicals last year, Migoń endured a grueling solo effort to claim the top spot.
Migoń formed a select trio with PAS Racing teammate Cecily Decker and U.S. national gravel champion Lauren Stephens. However, when Stephens slacked off on exchanges and Decker showed signs of fatigue, Migoń forged on alone, racing relentlessly for the finish line.
Riding a Rose Backroad FF, Migoń miraculously held it together despite a slowly leaking puncture. She reportedly opted to go tubeless without inserts for this race.
- Frameset: Rose Backroad FF
- Groupset:SRAM Red XPLR AXS
- Wheelset: DT Swiss GRC 1100.
- Saddle: Fizik Vento Argo R1 Adaptive.
- Stem: Enve IN-Route Aero Road Stem.
- Bar: Enve SES AR Road IN-Route Handlebar in 35 cm.
- Tyres: Schwalbe Thunder Burt 2.10 front and 45mm Schwalbe G-One RS in the back. (Pre ride: G-One RX in the front)
Rob Britton's Bone-Shaking Factor
In a thrilling match, Canadian Rob Britton (Castelli SOG) blitzed through the XL course in 17 hours, 49 minutes, besting Lachlan Morton (EF Pro Cycling-EasyPost) in an epic duel. After a neck-and-neck race, Morton seemed to tire as the finish line approached, ultimately handing the victory to Britton.
Despite riding an older Factor Ostro Gravel bike, Britton shattered the XL course record. For added comfort, he swapped the standard fork for a Fox 32 TC, offering 40mm of cushioning. Britton credited the suspension for helping him traverse the unforgiving terrain without feeling every stone.
- Frame: Factor Ostro Gravel
- Fork: Fox 32 TC
- Groupset: 2x Shimano GRX Di2 with Easton EC90 cranks
- Wheelset: Black Inc 48|58
- Saddle: Custom saddle from Reform Saddles
- Stem/Bar: Black In
- Aerobars: Factor
- Tyres: 45mm Schwalbe G-One RX
- Prototype skinsuit:Britton was clad in a prototype Castelli skinsuit boasting a built-in hydration pocket and additional storage options.
Heather Jackson's Triumphant Canyon
After an impressive performance, Heather Jackson, a seasoned triathlete, claimed the top spot in the women's XL category. Riding a Canyon Grail, she maintained a grueling pace of over 17 miles per hour for nearly 24 hours. While she experienced setbacks like a crash, a broken bike, and a dead headlamp, Jackson never gave up, showing unparalleled determination to succeed.
For the XL, Jackson stuck to her triathlon roots, setting up her bike like a time trial rig. She told our website, “I am a TTer at heart. We set my Canyon Grail up just like my TT bike, and I was just TTing all day. It was awesome."
- Frameset: Canyon Grail
- Groupset: 2x Shimano GRX Di2 with a Dura Ace crankset
- Wheelset: Shimano WH-RX880
- Stem/Bar: Canyon
- Aerobars: Canyon GEAR GROOVE Aero Extension
- Tyres: 47mm IRC Boken Doublecross
- Lights: Exposure
The Daring Duo:
While gravel racing might favor 1x groupsets, 2x drivetrains and Shimano dominated the top step in 2023, with Schwalbe leading the pack in the rubber department. Racers opted for a mix of RX and RS tyres in 45-47mm widths to balance speed and traction.
In our reviews, we discuss why 2x isn't dead and explore the vaunted Schwalbe tyres.
While data on top rider components from 2023 remains scarce, components from the 2025 race provide a glimpse into trends in gravel racing. Some notable setups include high-performance gravel frames like the Canyon Grail or specialized, gravel-specific designs like the Litespeed titanium bikes, electronic groupsets such as Shimano GRX Di2 or SRAM Red XPLR, durable wheels from brands like Shimano, ENVE, and Hed Cycling, and tyres with a mix of tread patterns, like the 47mm IRC Boken Doublecross. Bars, aerobars, and saddles are typically tailored to each rider's comfort and preference.
In conclusion, Unbound Gravel is the ultimate testing ground for both riders and their gear. While trends continue to evolve, it's clear that performance and durability are key components for success on the unforgiving prairie trails.
- Cameron Jones, the winner of the men's elite race at Unbound Gravel 2023, showcased a unique approach in his road racing, employing a 2x drivetrain and using a 45mm Schwalbe G-One RS in the back and 50mm RS in the front for his gravel tyres.
- Heather Jackson, the victor in the women's XL category, displayed a similar commitment to performance and durability, opting for a 2x drivetrain and utilizing a 47mm IRC Boken Doublecross tyre in her Canyon Grail bike for the grueling Unbound Gravel race.
