The Gestalt 1 is a drop-bar gravel bike built for riders heading off tarmac for the first time, and for everything that happens on the way there. It sits at the start of the Gestalt range, but it doesn't feel like a compromise: the Series 3 aluminium frame gets a full carbon fork, internal cable routing and proper 40mm tyre clearance, so it handles towpaths, forest tracks and gravel bridleways as happily as it handles the Monday morning commute.

Geometry is relaxed rather than racy. A 71.5° head angle and a long wheelbase keep things calm when the surface turns loose, and the 16° flared drop bar widens your hand position on descents so you've got real leverage when the front wheel starts moving around. Combined with the tall stack, it's a bike you can stay comfortable on for a full day rather than one that demands a racer's position.

The frame carries Marin's Bear Box, an internal downtube storage compartment with a bag included, so a tube, tyre levers and a multi-tool live on the bike instead of in your pockets. Mudguard and rack mounts front and rear mean it converts into a genuinely useful commuter or light tourer without a workaround in sight, and the hidden kickstand mount is there if you want it.

Shimano's CUES groupset handles the gearing. A 2x9 setup with a 46/32T chainset and an 11-36T cassette gives you a wide enough spread for loaded climbs and enough top end to hold a decent pace on the road, all in a drivetrain that's built to be shrugged off rather than fussed over. CUES hydraulic disc brakes on flat mounts give you consistent, controllable braking in the wet, which matters more on gravel than outright power does.

Features

• 6061 Series 3 aluminium frame with a full carbon fork for reduced weight and a smoother front end
• Bear Box internal downtube storage, bag included
• Internal cable routing keeps the frame clean and the cables protected
• Shimano CUES 2x9 speed drivetrain with 46/32T chainset and 11-36T cassette
• Shimano CUES hydraulic disc brakes, flat mount front and rear
• Marin butted alloy bar with a 16° flare for control on loose descents
• Delium Rifter 700x40 tyres, tubeless compatible
• 12mm front and 142x12mm rear thru axles for a stiff, secure wheel fit
• Mudguard and rack mounts front and rear, plus a hidden kickstand mount
• SRAM Universal Derailleur Hanger for easy replacement and future upgrades
• Six frame sizes from 50cm to 60cm