F A R A NOW AT BIKESUPERIOR

Scandinavian simplicity, built for modern gravel

At BikeSuperior, we’re always interested in brands that approach bicycles with a clear vision on geometry, functionality and real-world riding.

Fara had already caught our attention for a while. Not just because of the clean Scandinavian design, but because F A R A seems to understand modern gravel exceptionally well. It’s a relatively small brand, but one that clearly listens to what riders are actually looking for and translates that into smart, practical choices. And honestly, that’s exactly what makes the brand interesting.

Gravel has changed

Gravel riding has evolved quickly over the last few years. Bikes are becoming faster, tires are getting wider and riders increasingly expect one bike to handle multiple worlds at once.

Fast gravel rides. Long days. Bikepacking trips. Technical sections. Long distances. Often all on the same bike. That creates a difficult balance. Many riders are no longer looking for a pure race bike or a dedicated adventure bike, but something in between: a bike that feels fast and direct, while still remaining comfortable, stable and practical over long days. That’s exactly where F A R A becomes interesting.

First impressions from Girona

During Traka week in Girona, both Stijn and Jasper had the opportunity to properly test the new F A R A Gr4. Not during a short parking lot test ride, but in the kind of environment where modern gravel bikes are actually pushed the hardest: long climbs, fast descents, rough gravel sections, asphalt stretches and technical terrain, all in the same ride.

The Gr4 feels surprisingly light-footed out of corners and noticeably lightweight overall, without becoming nervous. On fast descents, the bike remains calm and stable, while still feeling agile enough on more technical sections. That combination is difficult to get right.

Many bikes feel either playful or extremely stable. The Gr4 manages to combine both in a way that feels natural from the very first ride. Especially at higher speeds, the bike feels stable and confidence-inspiring, without losing its responsive character once the terrain becomes more technical.

What also stood out to us is how quickly you feel at home on the bike. The geometry feels accessible and immediately familiar, while the bike is clearly capable of being ridden aggressively when speeds increase. That may have been the biggest surprise of all. The Gr4 feels less extreme and more versatile than expected, while still remaining very much a modern performance gravel bike.

Geometry for real riders

One of the strongest aspects of the Gr4 is probably the geometry itself. The bike is clearly race-capable, but it never feels overly aggressive or difficult to ride. The geometry seems designed first and foremost for “normal riders”, while still coming fully to life when speeds increase or the terrain becomes rougher. And honestly, we think many riders will appreciate exactly that.

Modern gravel bikes are becoming increasingly specialized, while many riders are actually looking for balance. The Gr4 feels fast and performance-oriented, but remains approachable and comfortable enough for long rides, bikepacking trips and mixed terrain. That balance feels very intentional.

It’s a bike that encourages you to ride hard when you want to, but never punishes you once the ride becomes longer, rougher or more technical. Smart integration without over-engineering. The cockpit is probably one of the first things people notice on the Gr4. F A R A developed its own Modular Cockpit system, which immediately gives the bike a very clean and integrated appearance. But what makes the system interesting is that functionality clearly remained part of the design process.

The cockpit can still be adjusted in 1 cm increments, making fit adjustments much easier than on many fully integrated systems. At the same time, you are not locked into one specific proprietary cockpit solution, since the bike can also be built with a traditional cockpit setup. In addition, a dedicated aerobar solution is also available for the F A R A Modular Cockpit system. That makes the Gr4 especially interesting for riders who want to optimize their setup for long distances, fast gravel races or bikepacking rides where efficiency matters. That says a lot about the philosophy behind the bike. Modern where it matters, but without unnecessary complexity.

The same applies to the integrated fork mounts. They are cleanly hidden within the design of the fork, keeping the bike visually minimal when not in use, while still offering practical mounting options for longer rides or bikepacking setups.

A quick note from Jochem

Jochem is also testing a F A R A Gr4 at the moment and has already covered more than 450 kilometers on the bike.

His setup is built with SRAM RED XPLR, ENVE G.SES 6.7 Pro wheels and 2.1” Schwalbe Thunder Burt tires. It clearly shows how versatile the Gr4 can be: fast and efficient on gravel, but with enough control and grip when the terrain gets rougher.

His first impression? A bike that feels light, comfortable and surprisingly playful. The balance between stability and responsiveness stands out immediately and makes the Gr4 a very enjoyable bike to ride. Jochem will be putting plenty more kilometers on the bike this summer, so we’ll dive deeper into his experience, choices and overall thoughts in a future review.

Built for where gravel is heading

The GR4 also feels extremely future-proof in the way it approaches tire clearance and modern gravel setups. Wider tires are no longer purely about comfort. At BikeSuperior, we increasingly see riders choosing larger-volume tires because they often bring more control, efficiency and confidence over longer distances and rougher terrain. F A R A clearly understands that development.

The Gr4 offers clearance for tires up to 57 mm. That means the bike can be built with serious gravel tires or even 2.1” and 2.2” mountain bike tires, without losing its fast and responsive ride character. That generous tire clearance makes the bike highly relevant for the direction modern gravel riding is moving toward.

Stijn rode the Gr4 in Translucent Black, size M, with 50 mm Schwalbe G-One RS tires, Zipp 303 XPLR SW wheels and a SRAM RED E1 / SRAM Transmission XX SL setup. Jasper’s setup took things even further towards the off-road side: he rode a Shade in size L, built with 2.1 Schwalbe Thunder Burt tires, Zipp 303 XPLR S wheels and SRAM Force E1 XPLR. Two very different setups, but both perfectly matched to the same platform. And honestly, that says a lot about the versatility of the bike itself.

That combination of generous tire clearance, wide setup possibilities and a fast ride character makes the Gr4 highly relevant for the direction modern gravel is moving toward. Not a niche bike. Not a pure race bike. Not an oversized adventure bike. But a very modern interpretation of what a performance gravel bike can be today.

Why F A R A fits BikeSuperior

What ultimately makes F A R A interesting to us is not just the design or the specifications alone. It’s the overall philosophy behind the bikes. Purposeful design. Practical solutions. Modern standards without over-engineering. Performance combined with real-world usability.

The bikes feel developed by people who genuinely understand how modern riders actually use their bikes today. That aligns very closely with how we look at bikes ourselves. We don’t believe there is one perfect gravel bike for everyone. But we do believe the right bike should fit the rider, the terrain and the way someone actually rides. F A R A feels like a brand that understands exactly that.

Now available at BikeSuperior

F A R A Cycling is now available at BikeSuperior. After spending time on the bikes ourselves, what stands out most is how balanced they feel once you actually start riding them. It’s not just the design or the specifications that impress, but the complete package. Fast when you want to push the pace, stable when the terrain becomes rougher and versatile enough for the way many riders use their bikes today.

Curious about the geometry, the modular cockpit concept or wondering whether a F A R A could fit your type of riding? Feel free to contact us or visit the shop. At BikeSuperior, we don’t believe in one perfect setup for everyone. That’s why we never start with the frame itself, but with the rider behind it.