Bombtrack Hook Gravel Bike: A Comprehensive Review
Embrace the Adventure: The Bombtrack Hook – Your Versatile Companion
Unveiling the Bombtrack Hook: A Technical Deep Dive
The Bombtrack Hook boasts an elegant steel frame, crafted from double-butted Columbus Cromor tubing, weighing in at a claimed 2,420g for a medium size. The frame features meticulous welding and is available in three metallic finishes: red, black, and a striking teal/black fade. Its design blends classic aesthetics with modern touches, such as a T47 bottom bracket. The carbon fork, weighing 600g with a 300mm steerer, seamlessly integrates with the tapered head tube, giving it a somewhat oversized appearance relative to the frame's slender tubes.
Robust Design and Practical Features for Every Journey
The Hook is engineered for utility, equipped with numerous mounting points. It includes triple bolt points for bottle cages, an additional pair beneath the down tube, and another on the top tube's upper surface. Mudguard and rear rack mounts are also integrated, alongside load-carrying mounts on the fork. Tire clearance is generous, accommodating 45mm (or 42mm with mudguards) on 700c wheels and 52mm on 650b wheels. Smaller sizes (XS and S) come with 650b wheels, while larger sizes feature 700c.
Maintenance Simplicity and Tailored Sizing
A key advantage of the Hook is its external routing for gear cables and brake hoses, simplifying maintenance. The carbon fork also includes internal routing for a dynamo hub cable. The bike is offered in five sizes, with top tube lengths ranging from 509mm to 580mm. A medium frame, for instance, has a 541mm top tube, a 130mm head tube set at a 71.6-degree angle, resulting in a stack of 565mm and a reach of 375mm. The seat tube angle is 73.6 degrees, and the fork offset is 50mm, with a wheelbase of 1,014mm. These dimensions reflect a typical gravel bike geometry, prioritizing stability without introducing any unexpected characteristics.
Drivetrain Prowess: Shimano GRX-400 Performance
The Bombtrack Hook is outfitted with Shimano's 10-speed GRX-400 gravel groupset, featuring an RX600 crankset with 46T/30T chainrings and an 11-36T cassette. This gearing provides a broad range, particularly suited for the low-speed demands of gravel and loaded riding. While the GRX-400 may not offer the same refinement or gear count as higher-end options, it is a dependable workhorse known for its consistent performance, even with minimal upkeep. Shifting is smooth, even under significant load.
Reliable Stopping Power and Thoughtful Component Choices
Braking is handled by 160mm rotors at both the front and rear, delivering ample stopping power, even when the bike is fully laden. The levers provide excellent feedback, which is particularly beneficial on loose surfaces. The remaining components are primarily Bombtrack-branded. The handlebars and stem are basic aluminum, with the handlebars featuring flared drops for enhanced control on gravel. The shallow 116mm drop proved effective, complemented by a standard 75mm reach. The aluminum seatpost offers easy adjustability and secure fitment. The Seido Comp saddle, though flat, performed adequately, though some riders might prefer a more contoured design.
Wheelset and Tire Considerations for Optimal Performance
The bike rolls on WTB Ventures tires, which, with their minimalist tread, are well-suited for hard-packed trails and offer decent road performance. However, their suppleness is somewhat lacking, making them feel less lively. Shoulder blocks provide additional grip on looser terrain. The 650b models utilize WTB Resolute tires, which are slightly wider at 42mm compared to the 40mm Ventures on the 700c wheels. The wheelset combines Bombtrack hubs with WTB ST i19 rims, laced with 32 spokes. While robust, the 19mm internal rim width is notably narrow, even for road bikes, and particularly so for gravel tires. This narrowness can make 40mm tires feel more like 36mm. An upgrade to wider rims would significantly enhance the potential of 45mm gravel tires.
Riding Dynamics: Comfort, Stability, and Responsiveness
Despite the inherent comfort often associated with steel frames, the Bombtrack Hook presents a unique riding experience. It offers a comfortable frame, effectively minimizing road vibrations and absorbing minor bumps. Its reasonable stiffness ensures good power transfer, resisting pedaling forces, while the carbon fork maintains precise steering. However, the bike's overall feel is somewhat muted, lacking the lively feedback and suppleness typically expected from a quality steel frame. This translates to a less engaging ride than some rivals, especially during climbs where it feels heavier than its 10.8kg weight. It doesn't respond vigorously to out-of-saddle efforts, suggesting a more sedate, spinning approach to ascents.
Ideal Applications and Value Proposition
The Hook excels as a reliable companion for adventure bikepacking or touring, rather than a high-performance trail blaster or efficient commuter. Its neutral handling and inherent stability, whether unladen or fully loaded, make it an easy bike to manage. For riders who prioritize function and practicality over an exhilarating ride, the Hook is a dependable choice. Priced at £2,360 for the complete bike or £1,040 for the frameset, it offers fair value. Compared to alternatives like the Genesis Croix De Fer 30 (£2,299.99 for the bike) or Ribble CGR 725 (starting at £1,699), the Hook holds its own, though some competitors offer slightly better value or ride quality. More premium options like the Fairlight Secan 3.0 (starting at £2,649) provide enhanced features and ride characteristics but come at a higher cost. Ultimately, the Bombtrack Hook is a well-built, versatile machine that, despite a few minor shortcomings, serves as a competent and reliable partner for a wide array of riding pursuits.