Note: Basic Bikes provided me with the bike for this test at my request.
I used to be a real fan of the Rally Dakar, that famous race from Paris to Dakar in Senegal. I followed the stories of the riders and watched the TV footage whenever I could. This race was one of the reasons why, many years later, I rode my bike through the Sahara and to Timbuktu myself. However, by that time, the Rally Dakar had already been relocated, as the original route was no longer safe to travel and was threatened by attacks and ambushes.
But one car has stuck in my mind ever since: the Porsche 959, with its iconic colors and raised chassis. In the 1980s, Porsche developed this car specifically for the Paris-Dakar Rally. It wasn’t just about creating a car—it was about developing a technology platform. The goal: to use high-performance technology (biturbo engine, Kevlar body, all-wheel drive system) for the toughest terrain in the world, and of course, to leave the competition in the dust. The result was a historic double victory in 1986 – proof that technology could withstand even the harshest terrain.
A sports car with off-road genes or an off-roader with racing genes: I tell you this story because while riding the Basic Bikes Monster Gravel, I was thinking about what this bike reminded me of with its agile, forward-driving, and sporty-aggressive character. And it was the Porsche 959 from the Paris-Dakar Rally.
And upon closer inspection, there are even more parallels, because the Basic Bikes Monster Gravel is the sports car of the gravel world – a minimalist, uncompromising carbon racer built from an MTB frame and 29-inch wheels for extreme off-road capability.
Frame & Geometry
Before we dive into the review, it’s important to know that Basic Bikes fundamentally builds custom setups. Each bike is built according to your wishes. Only the frames and forks are predefined. The color and components – that’s up to you.
The basis of the Monster Gravel is the Basic MTB Carbon frame together with the Basic Carbon fork.
At its core, it’s an uncompromising implementation of the drop-bar MTB concept. The geometry of the Basic MTB frame sits right at the intersection between classic, fast cross-country (XC) hardtails and modern trail hardtails.
It’s made from Torayca T1000 carbon fiber – a very high-quality carbon fiber with extremely high tensile strength and elasticity. It’s used in demanding fields such as aerospace engineering.
For bicycle frames, T1000 is an excellent material because it offers high strength at low weight. Of course, the actual frame quality also depends heavily on processing, fiber layup, resin system, and manufacturing precision. But if a manufacturer uses T1000, that’s usually a very good sign.
With its 68.5° head angle, the Monster Gravel is close to a classic cross-country hardtail – but with a more modern, agile touch.
The seat angle, at 74°, is quite steep, matching modern hardtail standards. The short 430 mm chainstays give the Basic the necessary agility – typical for nimble XC and light trail hardtails.
The stack-to-reach ratio is 1.37 – a clear indicator of a sporty, stretched-out riding position.
STR describes the ratio between frame height and length and serves as a reference for seating geometry. With 1.37, the Monster Gravel is firmly in the performance range.
In terms of geometry, the Basic MTB is comparable to the Specialized Epic Hardtail 2025 – their figures are almost identical. The Basic MTB frame also resembles the old Canyon Exceed (hello, Torsten Frank!), the Rose PDQ, or the Mondraker Chrono Carbon.
The drop bar adds an even more stretched-out riding position, bringing it closer to the gravel category. It’s essentially a “gravel hardtail” with road bike DNA.
The cables are internally routed, giving the bike a clean, tidy look.
Not only does the Basic Carbon fork complement the bike visually, it also performs well: it has a 45 mm offset. The standard offset for 29er mountain bikes was long 51 mm (like on my Nordest Sardinha). In recent years, shorter offsets like 42 or 44 mm have become popular in the XC and trail segments. So 45 mm sits right in the modern sweet spot, resulting in greater trail and, consequently, more stability and composure.
The elegant fork features three mounting eyelets on each side. The manufacturer recommends up to 3 kg per side – 6 kg total. The brake mount is post-mount, so it’s ready for MTB brakes. Flat-mount brakes can be fitted using an adapter.
The price for the frameset with fork is €1,190. The weight is 1,790 g. The frame alone costs €990 and weighs 1,130 g. The fork is sold separately for €250 (a very good price) and weighs 630 g (including thru-axle).
The frame accommodates tires up to 2.4 inches wide, and the fork allows the same – it’s built quite tall, leaving extra clearance above.
Both frame and fork use the Boost standard. And while the test bike didn’t have it, the newer generation of MTB frames now comes standard with UDH.
And for those who prefer suspension, a suspension fork with up to 100 mm travel can be installed.
By the way: the system weight of the Basic Monster Gravel is rated at 120 kg.
Wheels & Tires
One reason for the great propulsion and stability are, of course, the 29-inch wheels. And just as Porsche equipped the 959 with knobby tires and reinforced rims, Basic equipped the Monster Gravel with in-house MTB Boost wheels featuring a 30 mm internal width (30 mm height, 36 mm external width). They’re hookless, tubeless-ready, and asymmetrical. An asymmetrical rim has the spoke holes slightly offset from the center, which improves the spoke alignment and results in better stability and reliability.
The wheels use Novatec D791SB and D792SB hubs with J-hook lacing at 32 holes – solid mid-range hubs with replaceable industrial bearings. They’re lightweight, allowing Basic to achieve a wheelset weight of 1,520 g. The price of €890 is also very reasonable.
According to Basic, their own hubs based on DT Swiss Ratchet systems will be available soon. And if you like, you can even order a custom wheelset – with dynamo hubs or other hub options of your choice.
The test bike came with Kenda Booster Elite 2.2-inch tires. I hadn’t ridden them before, but they performed well in practice and offered good grip on autumn terrain. However, since the Monster Gravel is always a custom build, you can, of course, choose your own tires.
Drivetrain & Shifting
Frame, fork, and wheels are only half the equation: when it comes to performance, the drivetrain is crucial. Porsche, back then, gave the Dakar model not only a 6-speed transmission but also a special off-road gear to handle sand and rough rock better.
Basic equipped the test bike with a mixed electronic Sram setup: Sram Rival AXS in the front and Sram GX AXS in the rear. I used this combination for a long time on my Salsa Fargo and was very happy with it.
There are also a few special touches on the Basic Bike: up front, the Berlin-based company fitted the beautifully machined Garbaruk XC DUB crank with a 36T Garbaruk chainring.
At the rear, there’s a 10-52T Garbaruk cassette. This gearing gets you through rough terrain with style and still allows for decent climbing even with luggage.
For power transfer, the GX Eagle chain is used – waxed by JR Chains from Bavaria.
Brakes
For brakes, Basic equipped the test bike with Hope RX4+ four-piston calipers. I’ve used these for many years myself and can absolutely recommend them. When the terrain gets serious and you need strong braking even downhill with luggage, the RX4+ is the top choice.
Honestly, they’re often the only sensible choice if you need a brake system that uses DOT fluid (like Sram), works with post-mount calipers, and is compatible with drop-bar road shifters/levers.
Downside: these brakes are sensitive – or, to put it differently, demanding. You need a bit of patience to set them up. I’ve figured it out over time, but not all pistons always move perfectly in sync, and sometimes one stays out longer than desired. I thought it might be my setup, but even on the RX4+ of the Basic Bike, I occasionally noticed that familiar light rubbing when the Hope decided to remind me who’s in charge of one of the bike’s most critical functions. Still, they’re one of the best brakes I know for drop-bar MTBs – I’d install them again any time.
The Hope rotors used are also excellent. I’ve used them on my Salsa Fargo and appreciate their heat management and durability as two-piece discs.
Cockpit & Ergonomics
For stem and handlebars, Basic uses its own components.
The 80 mm carbon stem has an angle of +10°/-10°, weighs about 120 g, and costs €105.
The test bike was fitted with Basic’s 440 mm Road Carbon handlebar. It has a wide hand platform, an internal cable channel, and, in my opinion, enough space to mount an aero bar. The clamp diameter is 31.8 mm, the drop 124 mm, the reach 80 mm. Weight: 235 g – on par with lightweight aluminum bars.
A key advantage of the handlebar is its vibration damping, achieved through the T1000 carbon fibers. The “T” stands for tenacity (strength), and the “1000” classifies the fiber as extremely strong and premium. They withstand high stress while remaining light.
The handlebar tape also matches the bike very tastefully – a real eye-catcher.
According to Basic, the bar is gravel-compatible. In my view, it’s more for performance gravel. Personally, I’d prefer a wider bar with more flare for the Monster Gravel – for example, the Basic Carbon Gravel bar with 30° flare. Unfortunately, it’s only available up to 440 mm width – I ride 460 mm.
Saddle & Seatpost
Basic also uses in-house products at the rear: the seatpost is the Basic Carbon model, 30.9 mm in diameter, weighing about 180 g. It’s not yet listed in the Basic shop, but I assume the price is around €95.
The saddle, happily, is the SQlab 614 ERGOWAVE® active 2.1 – one I’ve always wanted to try, so I thoroughly enjoyed the test rides.
The saddle rises slightly at the back, giving extra support. Otherwise, it’s very comfortable, offering good grip and some cushioning on rough terrain.
Conclusion – Basic Monster Gravel
After several weeks of testing the Monster Gravel, it’s clear to me what defines this bike. Its geometry delivers exactly the mix of control and agility you feel on fast descents and long gravel sections. It stays calm at speed but responds instantly when you apply power to the pedals.
Thanks to the seat angle – combined with the drop bar – you sit in a centered, forward-driving position over the bottom bracket, great for climbing (noticeable on my local Elbe hill) and efficient on flat sections (hello, dike!).
I rode the Basic in size L (I’m 184 cm tall) and found it very comfortable. Even on long rides, the sporty position didn’t feel tiring or uncomfortable.
However, I would swap the handlebar for one with more flare and probably change the tires as well.
A Monster Gravel is always a compromise: more MTB or more gravel? But if you’re looking for a relaxed gravel bike, this isn’t it. The Basic Monster Gravel is aimed at demanding, performance-oriented riders who value speed and off-road capability above all.
Thanks to its generous tire clearance and MTB foundation, it handles challenging trails confidently. The lightweight wheelset and stiff carbon frame make it a sprint machine on gravel tracks. The only limitation: the ride is quite direct, sometimes even harsh. You have to like that and be willing to trade comfort for uncompromising performance.
In the end, the Basic Monster Gravel really does remind me of the Porsche 959 from the Paris-Dakar Rally. Not because it wants attention, but because it’s built to deliver – uncompromising, fast, and precise, even where the ground has other plans. It combines toughness with efficiency, technology with feeling. A machine that prefers riding to showing off. And that’s exactly what defines its character: a monster gravel bike with racing genes.
Now I’m curious to see when there’ll be a blue-white-red-gold Basic Monster Gravel with a proper race number. Two style studies from me as inspiration (AI-generated):
