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#AvonaCallis32 #32InchGravel #CarbonGravel #First32Bike #GravelRace #SeaOtterEurope #UCIWorldSeries #HolisticDesign #QuickHandling #RideFaster
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Avona Callis 32 – First Production Carbon Gravel Bike on 32″ Wheels
Avona’s Callis 32 marks the debut of a production‑ready carbon gravel bike built around 32‑inch (≈81 cm) wheels. Unveiled at Sea Otter Europe and later ridden to a UCI World Series gravel win, the model went on sale 15 October and is now available for purchase.
Development philosophy
Instead of merely scaling up its 700c/29″ Callis, Avona adopted a “holistic” approach, weighing aerodynamics, weight, stiffness, tire width, rolling resistance and real‑world handling together. Data showed that the rolling‑resistance advantage of 32″ wheels outweighs any aerodynamic penalty: a virtual‑elevation test on rough gravel indicated a saving of ≈11.7 W at 35 km/h, while wind‑tunnel measurements added only 1‑3 W of drag. This convinced the team to pursue the larger diameter.
Geometry and handling
The Callis 32 keeps handling agile despite the big wheels. It features a steep 70° head‑tube angle and a 74° effective seat‑tube angle, paired with a 60 mm fork offset to keep trail in check. Chainstays are unusually short at 440 mm, achieved through a dramatically curved seat‑tube, ultra‑thin stays and 1×‑only compatibility. Frame reach for a size Large is 398 mm and stack 598 mm—comparable to many current 700c gravel bikes. The bike is offered in three sizes (M‑XL); Avona notes that smaller riders can still fit well with a zero‑offset seatpost and a short stem.
Technical specifications
- Frame: 898 g (size M, painted, no hardware) – lighter than the 700c version, offsetting the extra wheel weight.
- Fork: 409 g (painted, uncut).
- Wheels: Stock Faserwerk Kornkreis 32″ rims on DT 240 hubs (≈1 567 g total); optional 62 mm‑deep Newmen wheels (+120 € steel spokes, +470 € carbon).
- Tire clearance: Up to 55 mm with 6 mm clearance (fits 2.15″ Aspen ST, not the wider 2.4″ Aspen).
- Drivetrain: 1× electronic shift only; max 50 T chainring; Boost rear axle 12×148 mm, Boost front 12×110 mm.
- Other features: Internal frame storage for two water bottles, threaded BSA BB, proprietary D‑shaped aero seatpost with hidden wedge clamp, fully integrated cable routing through a sealed headset, FM160 flat‑mount rear brake (160/180 mm rotors), CeramicSpeed UFO‑waxed chains included.
Ride impressions
Test rides in Girona showed the Callis 32 to feel remarkably quick and responsive. The steep geometry and low trail give nimble steering, while the short chainstays retain a lively feel. On smooth gravel and hardpack the bike rolls with little effort; on rougher sections the larger wheels and slightly lower tire pressure (~5 psi less than usual) smooth out bumps, delivering noticeable comfort without feeling sluggish. The wheels (Faserwerk Kornkreis) are light enough not to add perceptible inertia, and the overall bike weight matches that of many 700c builds.
Pricing and availability
Three complete builds are offered:
- SRAM Rival AXS Xplr – ≈5 800 €
- SRAM Force AXS Xplr – ≈6 600 €
- SRAM Red AXS Xplr with power meter – ≈9 000 €
A “rolling chassis” (frame, fork, headset, seatpost, integrated cockpit, 32″ wheels) starts at 4 800 € for a custom build. All models are semi‑customizable (seat‑post offset, bar width, stem & crank length, chainring, cassette, tire choice) and come in clear‑over‑carbon, Deep Olive, Ultra Violet or primed‑ready‑to‑paint finishes. Orders can be placed through Avona dealers or shipped directly to Europe, the US and South Africa via avona.cc.
