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Gearing for the Steep:

The Tech: Alpha Aluminium Meets Shimano Reliability The gearing is optimized for off-road, giving you lower climbing gears than a standard road bike. Trek didn’t cut corners on the foundation. The ALR 3 features a 300 Series Alpha Aluminium frame that is remarkably responsive.

  • Premium Cockpit:

    The Drivetrain: Features better bars and stems that dampen vibrations before they reach your hands. It uses a 2x9-speed Shimano Sora groupset. While some prefer 1x systems, the 2x setup provides a massive gear range, ensuring you have the right cadence for both 20% climbs and flat tarmac sprints.

  • Why It’s Different

    Stopping Power: It is equipped with mechanical disc brakes. They are easy to maintain and provide consistent stopping power in the mud and rain—a massive upgrade over traditional rim brakes.

  • Unrivalled Durability:
  • Aluminum doesn't fear rock strikes or accidental tips. It's the ultimate "peace of mind" material for rugged adventures.

    The Rubber: It comes stock with wide 700x42c Bontrager Girona Pro tyres, offering a perfect balance of speed and "squish."

  • Ready to Race:
The weight and component spec are competitive enough for local gravel races right out of the box.

Why It’s Different (and Why It’s Great Value) At its price point, the ALR 3 offers versatility that many racing-focused bikes lack:

    Bontrager Ecosystem:
  1. Fully integrated with Blendr mounts for lights and computers, keeping your cockpit clean and functional.

    Mounts Galore: It features integrated rack, mudguard, and frame bag mounts. This isn't just a gravel bike; it’s a fully-fledged touring and commuting machine.

  2. Is It Right For You?
  3. The ALR 5 is the tool of choice for:

    Hidden Cabling: The cables are tucked away, which doesn't just look clean—it prevents them from interfering with your frame bags during bikepacking trips.

By Isaac Williamson
June 03, 2026 Adventure Cycling Scotland If you're researching adventure cycling scotland, ProjektRide is ideally positioned to help. Based in Edinburgh, we specialise in premium bike hire for riders exploring Scotland's roads, gravel tracks, bikepacking routes and touring...