The third evolution of the Valravn Platform arrived by request when SRAM needed a frame to mount their new Rudy Gravel Suspension fork, XPLR Reverb & XPLR drivetrain.

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"While you might expect me to get stuck straight into the suspension fork that adorns the front of the Valravn, it was actually the geometry that stood out ahead of anything else.

The big plus here, just as intended, is that the Valravn feels superb when faced with any kind of downhill or fast paced trail, where it’s handling really elevates confidence.

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The long reach and slack head angle makes for a surefooted feel on the descents and, for the first time since dipping my toe into the world of gravel riding, that I don’t feel like I’m about to go over the bars and out the front door as soon as the gradient steepens.

This has led to me riding more of what I enjoy and linking sections or road loops with more demanding singletrack than I once thought possible on a bike with drop bars."

        Rob Weaver - BikeRadar

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If Gravel bikes opened the door to new oportunites and adventures, then Rudy has blown the five bar gate off its hinges. Whilst 40mm of suspension might not seem much when considered alongside MTB forks it is night and day when dealing with the kind of terrain that formerly pushed the limits of current gravel bikes, and I'm not talking about technical MTB trails. This was never intended to blur the line between Gravel & Enduro bikes, this is about those high speed rock strewn moorland decents and long days off road that would have blured your vision and reduced your hands to a blistered pulp.

With the fork having a 40/50mm taller axle to crown than most current gravel bikes the best solution was a dedicated chassis with a few other small tweeks thrown in to better suit the more agressive riding that this bike is now capable of.

Compared to the Valravn Evo the BB is raised 10mm to allow for fork sag and whilst the head angle stays the same as the Evo at 69° Rudy's offset comes in a bit shorter at 44mm, and after extensive testing of stems from 35mm to 60mm in 5mm increments on a prototype rudy fork and test frame the 40mm stem was the best all round fit for the frame so a longer reach similar to the Valravn MX is used.