XDS VENTURE 3.0 (2021) – BLUE

If you’ve landed on this Venture 3.0 page, you’re already considering bikes like the Giant Roam series or simply want the most versatile general fitness bike.

The Venture 3.0 must be on your shortlist if you plan on riding dirt, gravel, bike paths, rail trails and rail trails.

In a nutshell, this is the best Venture 3.0 we’ve seen from XDS and in this preview, I’ll go through why.

THE FRAME

The Venture 3.0 frame is a little bit special. It’s finished to a far higher standard than what we typically see from other manufacturers at this price point.

High end finishes like smooth welds are not standard, they require a lot of time, effort and expense.

So, most brands don’t bother. Except XDS.

Why?

Because XDS foremost are an engineering brand. In fact, they are the worst at sales and marketing, especially compared to brands like Giant, Specialized, Trek and others.

So it’s no wonder people haven’t heard of them.

Rather, their focus is on build quality and craftsmanship.

X6 is XDS’ premium level aluminium. And to make the frame, it uses a process called triple-butting.

This means, each tube has 3-different thicknesses. Most brands use a cheaper (to manufacture) single-butted frame at this price point.

The reason:

Triple-butting removes material where it isn’t required using a detailed approach to the forces that the frame is subject to.

This means the frame is the lightest and strongest it can possibly be. Kind of like a lean, fit athlete.

Single-butted frames take a more ‘relaxed’ approach to frame design.

A stiffer frame also creates better handling (cornering and descending, especially) and far better pedaling efficiency. More power is being transferred to the road or the trail, rather than going into the frame’s flex.

HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES

Buy a bike with hydraulic disc brakes. Period.

You will not regret it.

Hydraulic disc brakes deliver a smoother lever feel; are lighter to pull and easy to slow down. They are a much safer alternative to mechanical brakes.

They don’t require as much maintenance either.

There are no mechanical cables to service or replace, hoses have mineral oil in them instead. Levers can also be adjusted for smaller hands, ensuring better ergonomics for teenagers and smaller riders.

Hydraulic disc brakes properly work in all weather conditions; wet, dry, dusty or muddy; ensuring rider safety (and control of the bike) in all conditions.

WHEELS AND TYRES

The XDS Venture’s rims are made from aluminium but double walled for strength and rigidity.

The rims are also slightly wider than normal. This means better impact resistance and tyre grip, especially on gravel and dirt.

Another upgrade for 2021 is the rear hubs. They engage faster and deliver a distinct mechanical purr. This results in faster transmission of power.

The result?

Faster acceleration and power transfer which lets you climb easier and hold momentum with minimal input.