Obed Debuts the New GVR Gravel Race Bike

April 9, 2026

Adventure in Its Fastest Form

Chattanooga, TN (April 9, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Obed Bikes announces the all-new GVR, a next-generation gravel race platform. Modern gravel racing is evolving at breakneck speeds, and the GVR is engineered to stay ahead of the curve with a unique combination of clearance for 2.2” MTB tires, aerodynamic frame shaping, and low frame weight. With the addition of suspension-ready geometry and the option to add the DT Swiss F 132 One gravel suspension fork, riders have more options to optimize their setup for the world’s toughest gravel courses.

“Gravel racing has progressed incredibly quickly, and riders now expect more from their equipment than ever before,” said Brad DeVaney, Obed’s lead engineer. “With the GVR, we set out to build a bike that captures the true spirit of modern gravel competition—fast, versatile, and capable of handling whatever the course throws at you.”

The Trinity of Race-Day Performance

The GVR is designed to lead the gravel vanguard with our most potent blend of tire clearance, aerodynamics, and low frame weight. Tire clearance has been increased to 56mm, which will accommodate 2.2” mountain bike tires, giving tire geeks the freedom to optimize their race setup for everything from the smoothest champagne gravel to the most rugged backcountry routes. Along with traditional gravel tires, 2.2” MTB tires will be available as a standard option for riders to select through Obed’s custom bike builder.

The redesigned fork has been widened significantly, promoting cleaner airflow between the front wheel and the fork blades. This wide stance also provides additional clearance for a front tire up to 61mm or 2.4” wide, giving riders even more tire options. The fork is paired with a similarly widened downtube using a truncated aero profile shaped to recapture and smooth airflow disturbed by wider gravel tires.

The GVR’s new carbon lay-up has been refined to achieve a frame weight of only 886 grams (size M, excluding paint and hardware), shaving nearly 150 grams off its predecessor while maintaining the ideal level of stiffness, comfort, and durability. With enhanced tire clearance, aerodynamics, and weight, the GVR is ready to do battle on every type of terrain.

Suspension-Ready for the Future of Gravel

Suspension technology is gravel racing’s most exciting frontier. With suspension-corrected geometry, the GVR allows riders to run either a rigid fork for maximum efficiency, tire clearance, and weight savings, or a gravel suspension fork for enhanced capability, traction, and comfort.

The GVR is optimized for the latest generation of gravel suspension forks, including the DT Swiss F 132 One. Obed is proud to be the first OEM to bring the DT Swiss F 132 One fork to North America, which offers 40mm of travel and a remote lockout, allowing riders to adapt instantly between smooth sectors and rough terrain.

Fine-Tuned Gravel Geometry

The GVR’s geometry is revised to improve speed and confidence across varied terrain. The reach and front-center are longer, the head angle is slacker, and the BB drop is increased to create a more stable platform for high-speed descents and technical gravel sectors. This stability is complemented by an increase in fork rake, which helps retain the agility needed for quick line changes, cornering precision, and tactical positioning in competitive race environments.

Ready for Epic Distances

The GVR maximizes mounting options with six bottle cage mounts on the down tube, three bottle cage mounts on the seat tube, top tube bag mounts, and additional accessory mounts on the underside of the top tube and downtube. This allows riders to mount their bottles in an optimal position or carry up to three bottles in the main triangle. Accessory mounts provide more flexibility to carry the nutrition and supplies needed for ultra-distance races and all-day adventures.

Durability and serviceability are also built into the platform with reliable standards, including a UDH (universal derailleur hanger) and T47 bottom bracket, ensuring compatibility with the latest drivetrain technologies and easy maintenance.

Fully Customizable, Direct to You

Like all Obed bikes, the GVR is fully customizable through Obed’s online bike builder at obedbikes.com and ships worldwide, ready to ride. Riders can select their preferred components, wheels, and cockpit options while personalizing their bike with a wide range of color choices and finishes. Obed’s new 2026 color palette features the best automotive-grade paints used by Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche, and multiple decal options, allowing any rider to create a beautiful dream bike that is uniquely theirs.

At its core, the second-generation GVR was designed for riders who want to go farther, faster. Whether battling for podiums or chasing personal bests on the most epic gravel routes, the GVR delivers the speed, control, and versatility demanded by today’s gravel racers. The new Obed GVR is available for order on April 9, 2026, and begins shipping mid-May.

We invite you to explore the GVR press kit, which includes the geometry chart and high-res studio, environmental, and action imagery: https://americanbicyclegroup.box.com/s/apd2vosv7os3jom2rkh9hnpvyj2gbbbo

About Obed Bikes
Based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Obed Bikes draws on more than 30 years of experience designing and building some of the world’s most legendary bikes in the industry. Obed engineers have helped create bikes that have won World Championships, Tour de France stages, and set IRONMAN bike course records. Today, that same expertise is focused on building performance-driven bikes designed for the adventures riders want to experience. For more information, visit obedbikes.com.

About American Bicycle Group American Bicycle Group (ABG) manufactures three brands of high-performance bikes: Quintana Roo triathlon and road bikes, wetsuits and swimskins; Obed carbon road and gravel bikes; and Litespeed titanium road, gravel, and mountain bikes, with bikes painted, assembled and shipped globally from our headquarters in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Contact: 

Jay Prasuhn
Marketing Specialist
American Bicycle Group
jay.prasuhn@americanbicyclegroup.com