Simplon Grid with Sram Rival E1 XPLR in Review

Confessions of a gravel biker: Not. I did not acquire any earth-toned bike wear or get any tattoos for this test. It was conducted without a daringly fluttering flannel shirt or a bushy beard; even the occasional tour companions appeared without any trendy facial hair or lumberjack attire. I never loaded the Grid with more luggage than what fit into its clever downtube storage and the equally ingenious Pro Craft Race Ultimate Sideload Bottle Cages that I mounted. I didn’t participate in any gravel races or take on any unsupported challenges. Not once did I snuggle up next to the Simplon and sleep in the lap of Mother Nature—neither rudimentarily bivouacking nor luxuriously nestled in the ultimate lightweight expedition tent. Yes, I didn’t even light a campfire next to the Grid to grill a fish I had just caught and gutted by hand in a river.

And yet, I dare to claim: I moved it worthily. Through the preferred summer retreat areas of Graz and Vienna—Schöcklland, Semmering region, Waldviertel, Salzkammergut—and over the nearby MTB routes of the last millennium, when trails were still called hiking paths and the official bike tracks covered terrain that today represents the ideal gravel scenario: more or less smooth forest roads, a bit of bumpiness over smaller roots and rougher terrain, occasionally meadow paths or muddy sections.
After two months of riding over roots and rocks, asphalt and gravel on the paths of my early Vienna years—Lainzer Tiergarten loop, Paraplui and Pappelteich routes, etc., etc.—as well as some "foreign stays" in Lower and Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Styria, I now come to the conclusion that Simplon did not overpromise during the presentation of their new gravel model in February 2025.

Visually, this versatility does not detract from the promoted sportiness—quite the opposite. With its clean appearance in the almost-racing-green with a metallic effect, which is evidently very trendy this year, the Simplon Grid looks quite sleek and sharp. The only drawback is the Vorarlberg-based brand's Smart Headset, a sort of casing around the lower stem and headset in which the brake and shift cables disappear before entering the frame interior. Combined with the spacer tower, it doesn’t make for the most streamlined look and, despite its proven technical functionality, appears somewhat improvised.

Stripped of all protective transport packaging, the test bike delivered in size S weighed 8.99 kg, including the storage compartment bag. Not a top value, but roughly on par with similarly equipped Backroads, Addicts, or Checkpoints of this world. Thus, the claimed agility faced no threats from this aspect either.

And what does the Simplon Grid offer apart from the still out-of-the-ordinary 13-speed specification for 2025? On the surface, plenty of road bike flair. Beneath the surface, however, also many mountain bike influences. The result is a gravel bike that meets the demands of an all-rounder in an almost perfect way.

As it stands before you with its simply designed carbon frame featuring an integrated seat clamp, mostly angular tube profiles, and internally routed cables, the bike appears quite road-oriented. This is partly due to the relatively tame-looking tires. The Schwalbe G-One Overland, bridging the gap between touring and road, are fitted as standard in a 40 mm width. However, the maximum tire clearance for the frame and fork is 45 mm (without fenders). So, if desired, you can add a good dose of comfort or grip here – though it should be explicitly noted at this point that the Grid lacks neither.
Additionally, the gravel racer also presents itself at the front in a very road bike-like manner, as the Newmen handlebar on the test bike definitely doesn’t overdo it with the flare. However, the standard component according to the spec sheet would be the in-house Gravel Bar Carbon, which appears significantly wider at the drops. For this reason, we will not give this point any further attention beyond mentioning the roadie look here.

And road genes are certainly not a bad thing on a gravel bike; on the contrary: the Grid willingly picks up speed, marches forward obediently when prompted with a steady cadence or spontaneous burst, and maintains speed well. Clearly, the chassis provides sufficient stiffness for all of this. In corners, its predictability is a plus – this frame knows nothing of nervous twitching or wobbling.
However, there is room for improvement in terms of agility. Here, the not-so-light tires paired with the DT Swiss G1800 wheels likely play a role. But it's better to have a solid, reliable, and slightly chubby combination than to end up stranded somewhere off-road with punctured tires or dented rims.
Incidentally, the Schwalbe tires perform quite well on the road, rolling quietly and vibration-free thanks to their evenly high tread profile, feeling fairly fast, and not unpleasantly tipping over the side knobs in corners.

What is already apparent on smooth asphalt and becomes even more noticeable the rougher, poorer, or softer the ground or the higher the speed: the Grid is exceptionally true to its line and smooth-running – and in this way even compensates for the potentially perceived inadequacy of the handlebar width.
Even without a special flare, there are no shortcomings here in terms of stability or control, especially since the Overland performs better off-road than one might expect based purely on its appearance. More than worthy of the all-round usage promoted by Schwalbe, it also impresses on loose gravel or even damp soil with confidence-inspiring grip and good lateral stability.

Where does the solid road grip and almost unshakable calmness of the Grid come from? Probably straight from the mountain bike universe. Because when designing the gravel bike, available in five sizes, Simplon drew inspiration from their in-house MTB geometries and relied on the "longer, lower, slacker" principle. With its long wheelbase (1,042 mm on the test bike, up to 1,106 mm in size XL), low bottom bracket (-75 mm), and slack head angle of just 70°, it openly aims for confidence in challenging terrain.
At the same time, the stack is quite generous despite the "unremarkable" reach. While this doesn't scream for sprints crouched low over the handlebars, it greatly supports a clear, confidence-boosting view – and also seating comfort.

Geometry

The Simplon Grid combines road bike aesthetics with mountain bike behavior and proves in practice to be a sporty-comfortable option for uses focused on smoothness and reliability.
It willingly pushes forward and keeps its line securely even when the ground is soft, the terrain bumpy, or the speed high. It still handles curves naturally and navigates them calmly, predictably, and without unpleasant tipping.
Presumably - we couldn't test it due to lack of time and opportunity - these characteristics also make it ideal for bikepacking, which seems feasible in various configurations thanks to the numerous mounting points on the frame and fork. On the other hand, those looking for a nimble, race-ready machine for competitive events should look elsewhere. There are certainly more responsive and zippier gravel bikes on the market.

Major highlights of the Grid are its versatility, including in terms of possible specifications (ranging from generous tire widths to commuter options to optional MTB features), and the riding comfort it delivers thanks to its well-designed comfort geometry and effective vibration damping.
Additionally, there is a clever detail: the storage compartment in the down tube, which provides space for everything needed on day trips - from essential repair tools to a wind jacket. This is a blessing for riders who prefer a more casual clothing style without rear pockets.

With the new Rival XPLR groupset, Simplon has delivered a solid surprise that suits the Grid - and surely many future gravel bikes - perfectly. It brings fast, wireless shifting through 13 gears with a corresponding range into the affordable mid-range. Especially in terms of ergonomics and braking power, this upgrade, which will be standard for the "Expert" configuration package in the next model year at a price of 4,499 euros - then featuring DT Swiss Gravel LN wheelset and (lo and behold, was my sigh during the Schöckl summit climb audible all the way to Xi?) a 40-tooth chainring - is a true standout.