Check out the new Fezzari Shafer Gravel Bike

Fezzari is a Utah-based direct-to-consumer bike company that prides itself on more affordable price points, rider-specific custom setups, and building bikes that are designed to last a lifetime. While we don’t have much first-hand experience with their bikes, we’ve heard good things, and their updated gravel bike, the Shafer, looks like it could tick a lot of boxes for some people.

The Fezzari Shafer was first introduced into their lineup back in 2016, positioned as a drop bar all-road/gravel bike for those that want to go fast. Named after one of Utah’s longest and gnarliest trails, the Shafer just received a complete redesign that has it looking much more versatile than the original—and better for bikepacking. As Fezzari explains, ride quality and handling are the focus of the latest Shafer, plus it has been tested to XC MTB strength standards and is backed by their lifetime warranty. Fezzari ambassador and adventure-photographer Chris Burkard tested the Shafer on his recent bikepacking trip following the Westfjords Way in Iceland.

2022 Fezzari Shafer Updates

• Bottom bracket drop of 77mm. Low, but not too low. Lower bottom brackets help with keeping a lower center of gravity and more stable handling.
• 430mm chainstay helps to keep the bike manageable in tighter turns. It’s short enough to make a difference and help keep the handling agile while staying long enough to play a part in the stability equation on rough terrain.
• The Headtube angle is 68.9 degrees. This adds stability to the front end by extending the wheelbase. The wheelbase is also affected by the longer top tube length.
• We specifically chose a 50mm fork offset. This choice was based upon the head tube angle. We wanted Goldilocks-like handling. The 68.9 headtube angle adds stability in steeper situations and with higher speeds. The 50mm fork offset keeps that stability in check and makes sure that the slow-speed handling is still nimble and capable.
• The seat tube angle is 74 degrees which keeps the riders from having their weight situated too far back.
• Gravel Bikes need to be able to carry gear and water. People are wanting to escape further and further. The Shafer has room for 3 bottle cages on M, L, and XL sizes in the main triangle with 1 under the bottom bracket and bottle cage bolts on each fork leg. There are also bolts on the top tube to mount a fuel tank bag. We shaped the front triangle with a slightly forward offset downtube/bottom bracket junction to maximize the space in the front triangle for water or a frame bag.
• With up to 700x50c or 2.0” tire clearance, new bag and bottle mounting points, the ability to run 1x or 2x drivetrains, and internal cable routing. This bike has it all.

The Fezzari Shafer is based around a carbon MonoForm construction that is said to be a “true one-piece frame,” rather than traditional Monocoque construction that relies on a cured front and rear triangle that are put together. Fezzari’s MonoForm construction allows the entire frame to cure at once, which eliminates extra manufacturing steps, reduces weight, and allows them to fine-tune the frame characteristics more precisely.

The Shafer has internal cable routing, an English threaded bottom bracket, anti-crush integrated seat clamp, and can accept both 1x and 2x drivetrains. The Shafer is offered in three complete build options, which are outlined below.

• Shafer Comp GRX – $2,299 USD: Shafer carbon frame, Shimano GRX 400, Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 wheels (Shipping April 2022)
• Shafer Comp Apex 1x – $2,499 USD: Shafer Carbon frame, SRAM Apex 1×11 Hydro, Fulcrum Rapid Red 900 wheels (Shipping October 2021)
• Shafer Elite Rival AXS – $3,299 USD: Shafer Carbon frame, SRAM Rival AXS XPLR, DT Swiss G1800 wheels. (Shipping October 2021)

All builds are available for preorder now, with expected ship dates noted above. Head over to Fezzari.com to see more.

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