This Already-Innovative Gravel Bike Just Got a Unique, Game-Changing Upgrade

Sometimes, a product update launches with a bunch of little changes that make it difficult to assess how much better the new and improved thing actually is.

Other times, the modifications are headlined by one big change that’s impossible to miss. 

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The newsworthy tweak might even be a bit over the top, but ideally in a way that makes you think, Wow, they are really going for it, and leaves you feeling super stoked to try it out.

That’s exactly what is going on with the new edition of Arkansas-based Allied’s already legendary Able, which now boasts the most gravel bike tire clearance I’ve ever seen — by a lot.

Cleared for takeoff

It’s worth noting that, from the jump, the Able was a banger. 

The bike made its debut in 2019 in Kansas at one of the bike world’s oldest and biggest gravel events, now known as Unbound Gravel, and could not have been a bigger hit, considering both the men’s and women’s winners rode it.

That same year, it claimed arguably an even bigger honor when we included it in the GP100 — and it has only gone from strength to strength since.

But let’s get to the meat here: How much tire clearance does this new edition actually have? No less than 29 x 2.25/57mm. 

That’s fully 0.28 inches/7mm wider than you’ll see on the vast majority of gravel bikes, where 50mm is considered pretty dang generous.

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It’s so much clearance that the smallest tire width Allied recommends is 45mm, which is still more than the default option on a lot of excellent gravel bikes, including one of my all-time favorites, ENVE’s MOG — the sample I reviewed had 42mm tires.

With that bike, I distinctly recall the brand’s vice president of product and consumer experience, Jake Pantone, explaining that ENVE’s research indicated that tire volume trumped adding suspension in terms of balancing technical handling and weight.

Allied is clearly applying the same reasoning here, but really pushing things to the logical extreme by allowing for tires that approach mountain bike size — and are in fact bigger than what MTBs carried in the nineties.

While such big tires should sacrifice some speed, if they enable you to hit super-gnarly trails — even serious single track — without adding a pound of suspension components, the tradeoff is tempting. 

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As someone who was sweating the optional single-track section while riding 50mm tires at my most recent gravel race, this past fall’s Shawangunk Grit, I am personally dazzled by the possibilities of super-fat tires.

Allied CEO Drew Medlock clearly is, as well. 

“Gravel racing is evolving at an incredible pace, pushing bikes and riders harder than ever,” he says. “With massive tire clearance, integrated storage and precision handling, the new Able empowers riders to push their limits across any terrain.”

But that’s not all…

Which reminds me: There are some other pretty notable features, too.

The new edition offers a fully integrated internal cabling setup combined with the brand’s unique ST03 adjustable stem, which lets riders switch between two different rise options without recabling.

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There is also a new magnetic-latching internal storage compartment isolated from the bottle cage mounting area (where many other brands tuck it), making everything both more accessible and more secure. 

And, of course, the bike boasts progressive, gravel-ready geometry that the brand promises will balance stability and agility.

All of this adds up to the ability to tackle everything from the “Gucci gravel” of Colorado’s rider-friendly SBT GRVL to the far gnarlier challenges awaiting at, say, Utah’s Crusher in the Tushar.

Availability and pricing

The new Allied Able is now available as a frameset and as three complete builds, and prices rise as components level up.

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The carbon frameset comes complete with an ST03 stem/headset and all-new SP02 seat post with independent fore and aft saddle adjustments and starts at $4,500.

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The SRAM Rival AXS Mullet offers the wireless shifting performance of SRAM’s Rival AXS drivetrain plus Industry Nine’s 1/1 Ultralite carbon wheels at a starting price of $6,775.

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The versatile SRAM Force AXS Mullet features a 1x drivetrain, wide-range mountain cassette and Industry Nine 1/1 Ultralite carbon gravel wheels at a starting price of $8,400.

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The top-line SRAM RED XPLR AXS boasts wireless shifting, Industry Nine SOLIX SL AR40c carbon wheels and ultralight components. It weighs just 16.25 pounds and starts at $11,500.

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Allied Able (2025)

• Starts at $4,500

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